Appleseed's Work Ahead

have also expressed an interest in piloting the use of the screener. Our goal is to have a consistent approach statewide on housing screeners, where every student is screened using the same form.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

Statewide Legal and Policy Experts on Homelessness. Appleseed is a state and national thought leader on child and family homelessness. During 2021, we also became experts on federal and state relief funds and the eviction and utility moratoriums. We share our expertise with partners and communities around the state so they can better identify and serve families experiencing homelessness:

· Provided media outlets background information for multiple in-depth stories covering different aspects of homelessness and evictions. · Trained over twenty early childhood intervention social workers on federal education laws that address homelessness, provided resources and presented to hundreds of attendees. · Provided technical assistance to dozens of liaisons, state leadership, and school staff on issues including confusion over who qualifies as homeless, emergency housing options for unaccompanied youth in rural communities, and how to access eviction prevention funds. · Provided substantive feedback and analysis to the Program Coordinator of Community Schools and Extended Learning at PED on a study they are launching in partnership with J-PAL at MIT and will be providing support throughout the duration of the study. · Presented to the NMSU economic development cabinet about how the university can improve outcomes for its high poverty families and students. · Presented at the Harvard Kennedy Government Performance Lab meeting on cash transfers. · Provided support to the Governors task force on fiscal and policy implications of free meals for all children.

ADDRESSING BARRIERS THROUGH LEGISLATION AND POLICY

Ensure Free Access to Birth Certificates for Homeless Youth. Through Appleseed’s role on the statewide Education for Homeless Children and Youth Advisory Committee, we worked to develop and advocate for the passage of HB 179, a law to ensure that youth experiencing homelessness can access copies of their birth certificates and that the $10 statutory fee is waived for all individuals experiencing homelessness.

Improve Access to Youth IDs. Through the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Advisory Committee, we worked with the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) to clarify that unaccompanied youth can apply on their own for a identification card without a parent or guardian's signature and successfully advocated with TRD to train field office staff on the rights of unaccompanied youth to access IDs.

EXPAND to cover more rural areas of New Mexico, helping to create additional summer and after school meals locations. As federal safety net programs are set to expire in 2022, our team will be leading the charge to expand school meal programs, boost EBT, spearhead national legislation that could bring free school meals to all Native American students around the country and ensure our former legislation stays intact and becomes more robust to help more children eat as we work to end hunger in New Mexico.

SUPPORT 50 plus districts and charters that are currently identifying zero students to improve identification and build a more robust McKinney-Vento 8 program. IMPLEMENT a universal housing screener in school districts around the state to develop a more comprehensive data set of how many students are experiencing homelessness.

SUPPORT state and local partners with expertise and technical assistance on homelessness.

PUBLISH Appleseed’s work on cash transfers.

LAUNCH a new community of practice for the 53 LEAs receiving Education for Homeless Children and Youth funds.

LAUNCH into the design phase of the Supporting Early Childhood Success and collaborate with potential funders on the pilot.

FAMILY ECONOMIC STABILITY

A well-studied intervention in global development that is now catching on in the United States is the concept of providing cash transfers to support low-income families. The purpose of these cash transfers is to provide income for these families so that their children can go to school, their basic needs are met, and they have the opportunity to move beyond the cycle of poverty. Whether designed as basic minimum income for all or a stronger cash assistance-based safety net, this is a developing field and Appleseed is at the forefront in the United States and in New Mexico.

BASIC NEEDS CASH TRANSFER PILOT Building on our two summer pilots in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, Appleseed, through a generous grant from the Los Alamos National Lab Foundation, launched two more pilots for the duration of the 2020-2021 school year in West Las Vegas Public Schools and Cuba Independent Schools, two districts who experience high rates of poverty and have populations who have been historically underserved. The pilots ran from November 2020 to June 2021 and served 53 students and their families—this is what we learned:

High Retention Rate: Between both districts, the program experienced an over 80% retention rate with the fifty-three student participants. Qualitative Data Collection Revealed Positive Outcomes: We conducted over 40 exit interviews with students, families, and staff, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with universal agreement that they would recommend the program. Students noted how helpful the tutoring was and some said they would not have passed their classes without the tutoring sessions. Students stated that the money helped motivate them to focus on school and meet their needs: buying clothes, shoes, school supplies or paying phone bills. Parents and families noted the money helped their monthly budget and directed it toward necessities including car payments, utilities, home repairs and weatherization, dental services, phone bills, and food.

From our participants “[The pilot] made me focus more on school because it pushed me to do better.” -Student “Knowing they can get this extra help in school makes them look forward to being more productive and proactive in class.” -Parent/Guardian “The most important was the car payments. We were unsure how we were going to pay. I slipped into a depression. Having this help really did help me a lot.” - Parent/Guardian

SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded Appleseed $300,000 to design our “Supporting Early Childhood Success” pilot program. This innovative project will co-create a guaranteed income intervention with parents living in communities of color whose children were born drug exposed. We will design the program in partnership with the targeted population and other community partners. Our goal is to develop a strength-based program that will help stabilize families and help children thrive while informing potential policy interventions. Programming will take place in Bernalillo and McKinley counties.

SECURE additional legislative funding for five full-time Family Success Lab staff at DOH.

SUPPORT DOH and ECECD as they carry out their research agenda, and assist with translating the analysis into real world policy and programmatic changes.

COLLABORATE with state agencies, such as the Public Education Department (PED) and Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) on progress of the FSL and support development of their respective research agendas and data-sharing efforts.

ADVOCATE for a moratorium on utility shut-offs for families with children during the school year and develop a process to assist families with utility arrearages. Families with school-aged children who have their utilities disconnected due to economic hardship may qualify as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act, the federal law on homelessness in the educational context. The U.S. Department of Education defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children living in housing that lacks fundamental utilities such as water, electricity, or heat. One can imagine how challenging it is to study in the evenings, get a decent night’s sleep or have healthy meals at home without utilities.

Anonymous (9) Tom and Carol Aageson Julia Abbiss Samantha Adams Lori Addison Hussam Albanna Catherine Allen Carl and Linda Alongi Victoria Anaya Derek Anderson Jennifer Anderson and Chris

Boone Becky and Chris Anderson Sylvie Anderson Romy Anderson Adelmo and Rebecca Archuleta Leslie and Ed Atler Janet Austin Jan Avent and Dave Rossetti Kris and Tiphini Axtell Paul Bardacke and Lisa Enfield Lara Barkoff Bayan Ali Barua and Neil Barua Arthur and Alex Beach Howard Becker Michael Behm Natalie Beller Jeri Berger-Hertzman David Bernstein and Erika

Rimson Nancy E. Bielen Jeff and Anne Bingaman Kathleen Blake MD and Robert

Ballance Lori and David Blanc Lissa Blaschke Alan and Bronnie Blaugrund Cliff and Nancy Blaugrund Philip and Betty Block Jane Bloom Yohalem Jamie Blosser Stuart Bluestone Kara Bobroff Warren Borish Marilyn Bromberg Martha G Brown Sarah and Doug Brown Bill Broyles Peter Brunson Cornelia Bryer Karen Burbank and Brad

Fairbanks Mark and Melissa Burkhard David and Shelly Campbell Neil Canavan John Carey and Julia Bowdich John and Roxanne Carpenter Paul and Connie Cassidy Carlton Caves and Karen Kahn Cynthia and Jeremy Chavez Gloria Chynoweth Jessica Chynoweth Michelle Cisewski Jennifer and Steven Cohen Bill and Michelle Coons Pepper A. Cooper Stephanie Cousins Jack Crawford Dick and Peg Cronin John Cronin and Susannah

Stern Anthony Cucciara Pat and Bob Curtis Callie Darsey Dale and Diane Dekker Irv Diamond Jessica Dombek Richard Donnelly Linda Donnels and

Lawrence Logan Gale Doyel and Gary Moore Janelle and Mike Dry Penny and Don Dudley Randy and Cynthia Edwards Miriam Efroymson Marina Efroymson Gretchen Elsner Martin Esquivel George Fairbanks Susan Feil Kate Ferlic and Chris

Stanek Paul and Patrice Fish John Fox and Cynthia Demo Peter Frank Robert Frank Michael Frazier and Paula

Krogdahl Amanda Frederickson Talia Freedman Debra Wechter Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Friedman Eleanor Gage Maria and Ed Gale Caroline Garcia Elizabeth Garcia Veronica Garcia Art Gardenswartz and

Sonya Priestly Pea Garr Marc Geller and Beth Beloff Van and Sandy Gilbert Jewel Glavey Joseph and Catharine

Goldberg Lori Gomez Janis Gonzales Victoria Gonzales Martha D. Goodman Robert and Barbara Gorham Ayako Goto David and Havi Graeber Marilyn Gregg Eugene Gritton and

Gwendolyn Owen-

Gritton Daniel Gum Diana Gurule John Harre and Joan

Meschino Cynthia L Heinberg Sharon Hendrix and George

Gibson Barry C. Herskowitz and

Colleen Carias Lori Hewig A. Richard Higgins and

Wendy Shannon Sue Hilts Michael Holcomb Lenore Horowitz Andrew and Brenda

Horvath Catherine Hovey Andrew Hsi Tameka Huff Matthew Hurteau Anand Iyer Lisa Jacobs David C. Jaderlund Anne Jaramillo-Scarborough Jennifer Jernigan Aubrey Jones Kerry Jones Hervey and Leslie Juris Victor and Mary Jury Norton and Summer Kalishman MaryEllen and Chet Karnas Sam and Susan Keith Martin and Sidney Kistin Marian Knowles Herb Koffler Paul and Ruth Kovnat Sean Krispinsky Mia Lardy Laura Little Linda Reed Lockett Jodie Lord Bruce and Marilynn Lovett Melanie Ludwig Michael and Maddy Mahony Mariah Martinez Nancy Martz David Matteucci Barbara Mayden Sallie McCarthy Alicia McConnell Zachary McCormick Frank and Lisa McCulloch Patricia McCulloch Randi McGinn Meghan Mead Bill Meyer H. Melissa Mick Mary Milbert Randy Miller Esther and Ralph Milnes Cameron Miranda Mary and Timothy Mitchell Steve Moise Ruth Mondlick Paul Mondragon Lillian Montoya Rich and Nancy Montoya Shirley Morrison Yuki Murata and Chris Long Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Murphy Fred and Arlyn Nathan Rosalie Nava Jennie Negin and Harold Folley Linh and Kristina Nguyen Dawn Nieto-Gouy and Robert

Gouy Faye Butler North Nancy Oakes Deborah OCallaghan Alyssa Ortiz Georgie Ortiz and Fred Arfman Robert Parra Stuart and Janice Paster Dr. Lara Patriquin and Dr. Ian Paul Deborah Peacock and Nate Korn Liz and Larry Pearsall Jade Peterson Ani and Al Pitts Julie Polhamus Ann Pollock Arlan Preblud Barry and Roberta Ramo Jennifer Ramo and David Kutz Joshua Ramo Nancy Ranney Levi and David Levi Suzanne and Marc Rasic Jennifer and Richard Rasmussen Amy and Joey Reich Ann and Russ Rhoades Charles Rhykerd, Jr. and Kristina

Hansen Elizabeth A. Rice Bruce and Lainey Richardson Roberta Rivera Gwenn Robinson and Dwight

Burney Teresa Robinson and Eric

Mindling Larry and Alice Rodgers Jerrald Roehl Andrea Rosen Josh and Katie Rubin Carol Russell John and Terri Salazar Jonell Samberson Todd and Leah Sandman Ernest Schmider Mary Schroeder Jamie Searcy Keith Sherman Paul Sievert Melanie Silva Patience and Skip Skarsgard Doug and Bonnie Smith Alex Solis Cheryl and Kurt Sommer Stanley Stark Ruth Stein Walter and Mimi Stern Maryirene Stevens Sarah M. Stevenson Lynn Slade Dennis Swords Richard Tang Alex and Alexis Tappan Arnold and Lorlei Tenenbaum Toni Theisen Kyla Thompson Aaron Trevizo Lynn and Craig Trojahn Kersti Tyson John Ulrich Marcia and Gregory Unnever Daniel Valverde Andrew Wallerstein Sarah Washburn Alan Webber and Frances Diemoz Chuck and JD Wellborn Priscilla Wells Lisa Wheelis Andrew and Kristen Wiese Bill and Janislee Wiese David Williams Rod and Marty Wilson Peter Winograd Nancy Wirth Lynne Withey

Albertsons Companies' Nourishing

Neighbors Albuquerque Community

Foundation, Eye Associates-

Gerald and Alice Rubin

Memorial Foundation Fund American Online Giving

Foundation Anonymous Brindle Foundation Con Alma Health Foundation Diana and Chester French

Stewart Family Foundation Doris Goodwin Walbridge

Foundation, Inc. Foundation for Building FRAC Food Research and Action

Center Gale Family Foundation Illinois No 3 Foundation Intel Foundation Jonathan and Kathleen

Altman Foundation Los Alamos National

Laboratory

Foundation McCune Charitable

Foundation MedLine Mittler Family Foundation Nancy Ann Mellen

Foundation Sandia Foundation Santa Fe Community

Foundation Stanlic Foundation W.K. Kellogg Foundation

AIC General Contractor,

Inc. Amazon Smile Anonymous (2) Associated Contractors of

New Mexico Bank of America

Employee Giving

Campaign Barker Management Big Dogs Studio Rentals,

Inc. Bohannan Huston Bradbury Stamm

Construction, Inc. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Combined Federal

Campaign ExerPlay Inc. Fidelity Investments Hinkle Shanor LLP Honeywell International,

Inc. Southwestern Title and

Escow Kaune's Neighborhood

Market KPMG, LLP Lorraine Archibeque, LA

Limited Beck Total Office Interiors Mind Spark Modrall Sperling MolzenCorbin &

Associates Nanopore Network for Good New Mexico Bank and

Trust Presbyterian Healthcare

Services Renal Medicine Associates The Rikoon Group Thrive Consulting Tinkertown Museum Ulrich Investment

Consultants

Donations and pledges received through December 3, 2021. We have made every effort to ensure this list is as accurate as possible. Please accept our deepest apology if your name has been omitted or listed incorrectly. Questions? Please contact Rebecca Anderson, Director of Advancement, randerson@ nmappleseed.org Thank you.

SPECIAL APPLESEED THANKS TO: CHERYL AND KURT SOMMER AT KAUNE'S NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET FOR INCLUDING US IN THEIR 125TH ANNIVERSARY ROUND-UP! JIM GARCIA AND THE BOARD AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATED CONTRACTORS OF NEW MEXICO FOR INCLUDING US IN THEIR 2021 GOLF TOURNAMENT! WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO OUR ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS. THANK YOU!