Video & Transcript Research : 'awareness programs'
Page 147 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As you are aware, there are several levels of diversion.
- So that's a less restricted program from a highly restricted program.
- Yurok Youth Diversion Program are 2.5 times less...
- Free arrest diversion programs like the Yurok Youth Diversion Program are 2.5 times less likely to reoffend
- And all of you talked about success in these programs.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety heard several items focused on youth safety and law enforcement resources. The committee first took up tribal youth diversion programs, with the Legislative Analyst’s Office describing the Tribal Youth Diversion Grant Program and its two cohorts of grantees funded through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Tribal representatives from the Yurok Tribe and San Pasqual Band of Indians testified that diversion, tribal courts, school partnerships, mentoring, and culturally grounded services helped reduce truancy and justice-system involvement, but that short-term funding interruptions and limited capacity prevented them from serving all youth in need. Committee members discussed the importance of early intervention, tribal-state court collaboration, and possible misidentification of Native youth in the justice system.
The committee then heard the California Highway Patrol’s overview of surge operations supporting local crime suppression, including organized retail theft. CHP reported that its surge teams have been used in response to mutual aid requests and cited arrests, stolen vehicle recoveries, and firearm seizures in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. Members asked about demand for these operations and whether CHP could meet requests without affecting other duties; CHP said requests have increased and are accepted when resources allow. The committee also heard CHP’s request for a $5 million General Fund augmentation and 12 positions for its Computer Crimes Investigation Unit to make child sexual abuse material and human trafficking investigations a higher priority. CHP cited rising cybertip volumes, a case involving AI-generated CSAM, and the need for more investigators and forensic capacity.
A larger portion of the hearing focused on the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and a separate $5 million ongoing General Fund proposal for Cal OES to continue the program. Task force commanders from Sacramento, San Diego, Silicon Valley, and Fresno described rapidly growing cybertip volumes, heavy caseloads, forensic backlogs, and the need for training and equipment for affiliate agencies statewide. They emphasized that the ICAC model relies on local partnerships, deconfliction, and subject-matter expertise to identify victims, execute warrants, and rescue children, and they gave examples of cases that led to arrests and child rescues. Members generally supported the work but raised questions about overlap between CHP and ICAC efforts, the need for broader statewide collaboration, and whether more resources should be directed to task forces and victim services. A public commenter also urged expansion of homeless youth exploitation services and the California Youth Crisis Line.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 28 Morning Session Mar 24th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, so I'll be very aware because I've spoken here five times. Your time is short.
- No other program in the country has won more than one in the past decade.
- This is the 22nd conference title and program history and sixth under head coach KGinler.
- programs last no longer than 12 months.
- Are you aware of that? Yes, I am, and thank you for that question.
Bills:
HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Transportation. (1-29-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- programs later this year.
- programs later this year.
- our highway programs. our highway programs. uh<00:34:00.960>
federal <00:34:01.440>programs - transportation programs later this year. transportation programs later this year.
- program. Excuse [clears throat] me. program. Excuse [clears throat] me.
Keywords:
00:03 Call to Order and Roll Call
00:57 Capital Projects and Highway Plan
56:11 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met to hear the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s presentation on the governor’s 2026 capital projects budget and recommended highway plan. Secretary Gray and cabinet staff first thanked KYTC snow and ice crews, local road departments, first responders, utility workers, and others for their work during a major winter storm, then outlined the capital budget request. The cabinet said its facilities are aging, with about 35% at or beyond useful life, and that limited road fund revenues led it to focus mainly on maintenance, maintenance pools, aircraft maintenance, environmental compliance, AASHTOWare upgrades, state park road maintenance, truck parking, and reauthorization of several projects, including airport work and road projects. The cabinet said the governor’s budget includes about $22.8 million in state funds for the capital budget over the biennium, plus carry-forward language for maintenance pools and project reauthorizations to avoid losing federal funds.
Members asked about repeated reauthorizations, cost increases, and whether projects should be restarted as new requests after carrying over for multiple budgets. The cabinet responded that budget office policy generally allows only one reauthorization before a project must be resubmitted, and said many delays are due to acquisition or other project issues. Members also questioned the basis for increased-cost line items and the $5 million request for commercial truck parking; cabinet staff said they could provide original project cost details and that many increases are inflationary, while the truck parking project is expected to use federal funds and is a cabinet priority. The committee also discussed the decline in road fund receipts, which the cabinet attributed largely to lower motor fuels tax revenue.
The presentation then shifted to the 2026 recommended highway plan. Officials said the plan covers more than 1,300 projects over six years and anticipates about $9.5 billion in federal and state funding. They said the plan is intended to maintain existing assets, advance long-term priority projects, and honor prior commitments, including the Mountain Parkway, the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, and the I-69 Ohio River Crossing. About 40% of plan funds are dedicated to existing pavements, bridges, and guardrails, and officials cited a 61% rise in highway construction costs from 2020 to 2025 as a major challenge. To help offset those pressures, the cabinet is seeking $125 million from the budget reserve trust fund for the Brent Spence Bridge and release of a federal grant condition tied to the already appropriated $150 million for the I-69 crossing. No votes were taken at the meeting.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-GVO DEFER, GVO DEFER, GVO-HHS, GVO-PSM, GVO Public Hearings 02-17-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- aware. Um, let's see. First up, Dags. aware. Um, let's see. First up, Dags.
- Honolulu's program. I've been a licensed Honolulu's program.
- until our program slots. until our program slots. >> Sounds<00:33:06.640>
good. - >> I don't know that anyone's not aware >> I don't know that anyone's not aware that
- <00:55:25.440>
becoming <00:55:25.839>more aware, um, is certainly becoming more aware
Bills:
SB2094
Keywords:
toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted.
The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests.
The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Rules and Administration - 06/13/25
Rules and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so having said that and making you aware of what the document does and doesn't cover, I think the
- /c><00:02:11.200>
and <00:02:11.520>making <00:02:11.760>you <00:02:11.920>aware - so having said that and making you aware so having said that and making you aware of<00:02:12.319
- And then the deferred compensation program, which is under, beginning at line 2.16, again structured
- And so, um, I was aware—I thought it was three, um, I was aware I thought it was three of them, but if
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 11th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm a big fan of the ICAN program and the SNAP program. I've run early intervention programs.
- We do work on pathway programs and pipeline programs. And so, real quick, my apologies.
- One of the programs with our affiliation with NMSU is that pathway program, a seven-year program.
- We are going to focus on warm handoff programs and recovery services, as well as prevention programs,
- Right now, our limiting factor for our AOT program, for our Pre-Competency Diversion Program, and our
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/15/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:15:56.160>
resident <00:15:56.720>what aware as a prospective resident what aware as - with this program. with this program.
- programs. So this removes that loophole. programs. So this removes that loophole.
- standing order for uh certain programs standing order for uh certain programs to<01:11:45.199>
- This program previously was referred to as the intensive treatment in foster care program.
Keywords:
assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Please be aware that violations of these rules may be subject to removal or other enforcement actions
- I know you have a very robust Lifeline program. And I think that...
- Participation in the Lifeline program, relay services for people with disabilities.
- So COLR gives us a guarantee of affordability through the Lifeline program.
- to co-invest in things like the BEAD program, the $42 billion program, to get next-generation technologies
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition.
CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist.
In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- One of those is Unbound Now's early intervention program.
- One of those is Unbound Now's early intervention program.
- And so from my perspective, you tackle it with an awareness and training program to start.
- We had to raise awareness. We had to get some training in place.
- Lactation support is offered through the WIC program...
Keywords:
Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and announced it would vote on pending bills at 10:30, with public testimony limited to two minutes. It first took up Senate Bill 905, a TDLR cleanup bill on licensing regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Senator Zafferini said the committee substitute would streamline advisory board consultation, remove obsolete provisional licenses, and allow any licensed physician to authorize hearing instruments for minors; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 451, which would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk for children in DFPS conservatorship and youth under TJJD jurisdiction. The author and witnesses from Children at Risk, the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, and Texas CASA supported the bill as a prevention tool with existing infrastructure and training; the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 466, which would clarify that families may request a fetal death certificate at any gestational age, while keeping existing filing requirements for physicians. A constituent father testified about losing his 11-week-old daughter and being told he could not obtain a certificate, which he said prevented funeral arrangements; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. Senate Bill 2311 followed, requiring residential treatment centers to have a written agreement with the school that will educate resident children before becoming operational. The author cited a local dispute where an RTC and school district lacked communication, and witnesses from Texas CASA and Disability Rights Texas supported clearer educational planning while suggesting the Education Code may need conforming changes; the bill was left pending.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2826, known as Alyssa’s Law, which would create a statewide education program on medical child abuse for medical students, health care professionals, and CPS caseworkers. The author and Sheriff Bill Weyburn described Alyssa’s case as involving repeated unnecessary surgeries and argued the bill would improve awareness and early identification, while several witnesses and members raised concerns about false accusations, impacts on medically fragile children, and the need for scientific, peer-reviewed training and safeguards. After extensive discussion, the chair left the bill pending. The committee also heard House Bill 136, which would add certified lactation consultants as Medicaid providers to expand breastfeeding support; witnesses from lactation and nutrition fields said the bill would improve access, maternal and infant health, and long-term savings, and the bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2805, a surprise-billing/arbitration measure that would clarify provider identifiers and shift arbitration costs to the losing party. The author said the substitute was a legislative counsel draft with no substantive difference, and witnesses from the Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and U.S. Anesthesia Partners supported the bill as a modest improvement that would reduce administrative confusion and make arbitration fairer without weakening patient protections. Members discussed how arbitration costs affect settlement behavior and how to define the “winner” in close cases. The bill was heard but not voted out during this segment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:14.240>
overall and just just for your awareness overall and just just for your awareness - <00:25:52.440>
that for me so I wanted him to be aware that for me so I wanted him to be aware - But with paid family medical leave, too, it's a good program.
- <00:51:42.680>
we medical leave too it's a good program we medical leave too it's a good program - <01:08:22.839>
that ended up closing a lot of programs that ended up closing a lot of programs
Bills:
HF1005
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Program, which is a Department of Defense security cooperation program that prepares National Guard.
- So this program was created.
- We have an outreach program.
- But there is a suicide prevention program. And it's more education and awareness and referral.
- It's a wonderful program.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (05/15/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- program rule. program rule.
- Um, but I appreciate the postponement. the why this whole program was repealed the why this whole program
- control program rules. control program rules.
- new program? new program?
- And so program.
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, approving the minutes and consent calendar, then moved to the regular calendar of administrative rules. Department of Energy rule 25-220 was postponed until June at the sponsor’s request so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules were then considered, including 25-240, 25-265, and 26-33, each of which drew staff comments mainly about expired rule provisions and the agencies’ reliance on federal law, the Medicaid state plan, or other manuals. The committee approved those rules after brief questions, with the agencies stating they were already operating under the relevant federal or state-plan authority and, in one case, that rulemaking was underway to update an expired citation.
The most extended discussion was on HHS Bureau of Aging rule 25-304, which had an amended conditional approval request. Staff explained the amendments clarified how case management agencies accept or deny cases, how telehealth participation is evaluated, and that the department sets the timing for accepting or denying cases under its existing authority. Staff also noted a separate issue about whether reimbursement rates must be in rule, but said the agency had long interpreted the statute to allow its approach and that any change would likely require legislation rather than committee objection.
A provider representative testified against parts of the rule, arguing the case management agencies should not be required to accept referrals before contacting the participant, that telehealth decisions for other providers should remain with those providers, and that the quality-management section was duplicative and burdensome. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language merely allowed case managers to say a service fit the client’s plan or instead gave them authority over another provider’s delivery method. The agency responded that case managers may determine what services an individual needs, but should not control how another licensed provider delivers those services. The discussion continued with no final action shown in the excerpt.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Commerce and Tourism Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislature has taken a huge leadership role in innovating and funding those programs.
- Part of that is just promoting the programs that we have. And state.
- The state offers a number of loan program to even have even have a public private venture capital program
- those programs.
- And that program has been around since about 1988.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 29th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- After noticing that many peers avoided the IB program due to its perceived rigor and the lack of awareness
- I told you, you probably, I told you, you probably weren't aware of what.
- Currently, the IHSS program employs over 700,000 workers and serves over 800,000.
- This program is extremely important, and I've seen the value because it does.
- The Strong Workforce Program was established in 2016 to strengthen CTE programs in California Community
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/24/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, we're going to hear a program.
- That is an incredible program.
- these programs to promote and serve locally produced foods in schools and other child nutrition programs
- <00:16:21.680>
that purchasing assistance program that purchasing assistance program that - <00:29:21.200>
that influenza mitigation grant program that influenza mitigation grant program
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Floor Session 5/5/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Apr 8th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- I would say no, not that I'm aware of. Foster timelines? You're not aware of any problems?
- We're an awardee in two billion-dollar DOE programs.
- program, subject to appropriations.
- That's how the program was designed.
- We think those ought to be loan programs.
Keywords:
utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not aware of any ongoing. process. I'm not aware of any ongoing.
- Uh but I'm not aware of any. Uh but I'm not aware of any.
- for the entire program year. for the entire program year.
- The so programs and for CTE programs.
- House Bill 1067, Rural Health Transportation Program Transformation Program.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Anthony Phillips, and dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests in the galleries, including family members of senators, medical professionals for Early Childhood Day, and advocates and local officials. After introductions, the Senate moved into the calendar and began considering bills and motions.
Among the measures taken up, the Senate passed House Bill 1393 to create the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, with the sponsor explaining it would allow MDA to support energy projects and require compliance with state procurement laws. The Senate also passed House Bill 420, which provides a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans age 85 or older and allows an unremarried surviving spouse to keep the exemption; senators asked about eligibility, age limits, and safeguards against improper exemptions. Another bill passed was House Bill 1941 on the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which would allow funding through bonds or other means in addition to direct appropriation and raise the DFA processing cap from 2% to 3%; several senators raised concerns about state debt and the funding mechanism.
The Senate concurred in Senate Bill 2906, which gives the Secretary of State additional time to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for county election systems. It also adopted motions to table reconsideration on several House bills, including House Bill 908 on absentee ballot receipt dates, House Bill 525 on mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery, and House Bill 538 on sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement. The chamber voted to reconsider and then again pass House Bill 1613, described as a bill on aggravated trafficking weight and pill counts that also included a chemical abortion ban, after some senators who were absent earlier asked to go on record. For House Bill 2409, dealing with a comprehensive mitigation program for retrofitting insurable homes, the Senate voted not to concur and invited conference. The Senate also passed and retained numerous other items as it worked through the calendar.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (10-22-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- What how much money in each program are we not going to see in that particular program?
- > programming some program for programming some program for programming and<00:51:52.120>
services - program. So, we we do report on that. program. So, we we do report on that.
- So, again, program.
- program has nothing to do with HR 1. program has nothing to do with HR 1.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year.
Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed.
Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.