How a New Mexico Appleseeed pilot increased graduation rates to 93% for homeless students
Guaranteed Payment for Attendance (GPA): Boosting Graduation Rates for Homeless Students
FAMILY ECONOMIC STABILITY
Basic Income for Baby Success (BIBS)
New Mexico Appleseed's mission is to end child and family poverty. We want to ensure that every child and family has the necessary support and opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty. We seek permanent and dramatic positive change.
New Mexico Appleseed focuses on systemic solutions to the causes and consequences of poverty. We work from the tiniest communities to the state, tribal and federal government to define problems and create solutions. New Mexico Appleseed's work is thoughtful, innovative, and effective.
Dear Wonderful Appleseed Family,
As we look ahead, regardless of the election results, one truth remains constant: New Mexico’s children need you now more than ever. Your support is crucial to their well-being and future, especially in a time when child poverty, hunger, and homelessness remain persistent, challenging barriers for so many.
Creating systems change is rarely swift. Real, lasting change requires sustained commitment, often over years and through shifting political landscapes. We know from experience that addressing the underlying causes of poverty—lack of food, stable housing, and access to financial support—requires relentless advocacy, hard work, and the power of a community standing united behind our children and families. The road to a better future for New Mexico’s children has always been long, and today, that journey may be even steeper.
With new leadership, there are significant risks to programs that serve as lifelines for low-income families and children. Federal child nutrition programs, like school meals and Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), may face cuts, directly impacting children’s access to the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Programs designed to offer economic stability—those that help families put food on the table, pay their bills, and lift themselves out of poverty—could also face reductions or restrictions that make it harder to receive the support they deserve.
This reality extends to our work with homeless children and families. If funding and support for public benefits are cut, many families may be pushed even closer to the edge, and children experiencing homelessness may face even greater challenges in accessing stability, education, and basic security.
Your support of New Mexico Appleseed is a commitment to ensure that the most vulnerable among us do not lose ground. Together, we are pushing forward with essential programs that put children and families first. We are working to protect and expand critical supports like child nutrition, economic assistance, and homelessness prevention. This mission—your mission—endures despite any changes in Washington, because we know that true progress in ending childhood poverty and hunger is built one step at a time.
There is still so much to hope for and so much we can accomplish together. Your generosity and dedication make it possible for us to remain a steady hand in turbulent times, fighting for the long-term, systemic solutions that our children deserve. Let’s continue building a future where every child in New Mexico has the chance to succeed, no matter the challenges ahead.
Thank you for standing by us, and more importantly, for standing with New Mexico’s children.
With gratitude and hope,
Jennifer Ramo
Executive Director & Founder
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Cathy Allen
Kyle Armstrong
Anne Bingman
Sarah Brown
Joseph Goldberg,
Founding Chair
Debbie Johnson
Don Kidd*
Gregory Levenson
Larry Lujan
Lisa McCulloch
Tony Monfiletto
Lillian Montoya
Georgie Ortiz
Robin Otten
2023 - 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dale R. Dekker, Chair Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
Caroline Garcia, Treasurer KPMG LLP
Linh Nguyen, Secretary Lumina Foundation Education, Inc
Kara Bobroff One Generation
Dr. Veronica Garcia Retired
Randi McGinn McGinn, Montoya, Love & Curry
Dawn Nieto-Gouy Kiva Ventures
Jennifer Ramo New Mexico Appleseed
Bonnie Paisley
Conchita Paz
Ann Rhoades
Ruth Schifani
Ernest Schmider
John Ulrich
*Deceased
Appleseed's Theory of Change
New Mexico Appleseed corrects structural barriers to opportunity by designing and advocating for effective solutions to poverty through policy, legislative, and market-based reform.
While many organizations offer important direct services—serve meals, educate children, and assist underserved communities—New Mexico Appleseed’s goal is to make systemic change that yields permanent or long term improvement on issues like hunger, homelessness, family economic security, child maltreatment and education.
New Mexico Appleseed designs, tests, and implements practical solutions that address the causes and consequences of poverty.
Appleseed's Multi-System Approach to Poverty
The problem: New Mexico works in silos to address problems that exist across systems—only treating the symptoms of poverty and not the root causes.
Despite all best and well-intentioned efforts by government and philanthropy, too many New Mexican families are unable to escape the inter-generational effects of poverty. All of New Mexico Appleseed's work uses a multi-dimensional lens to address the complex root causes of poverty.
Ample research shows that many symptoms of vulnerable families are causal and/or correlated. For instance, a child's lack of stable housing is a risk factor for child neglect. Food insecurity is a risk factor for low educational outcomes. The correlations are too many to list, but critical to recognize if you want to understand and address the needs of New Mexico's most vulnerable families.
Approximately 16,000 multi-system families in New Mexico cost $900 million a year in social services.
1) This is expensive
2) We do not know who these families are
3) We do not know what services they are receiving
4) Without an evidence-based policymaking tool, we do not know if any of these services and interventions are effective
NEW MEXICO APPLESEED’S WORK ON POVERTY REDUCTION FEATURED ON THE JOHN OLIVER SHOW
The conversation around free meals for all children has reached new heights, entering the national stage as part of the presidential campaign. It’s a topic we at New Mexico Appleseed have long championed, and we are proud to see it become a critical issue in shaping policies for the future of our children. For years, we’ve advocated for universal free meals, not just as a program to reduce hunger, but as a fundamental right that ensures every child can learn, grow, and thrive without the barrier of food insecurity. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the seeds we planted contributing to the national dialogue.
We were especially honored to have played a key role in informing the broader public about these issues through major media platforms. On September 8, 2024, New Mexico Appleseed was a major source for John Oliver’s segment on HBO’s *Last Week Tonight*, which highlighted the ongoing struggles related to school meal programs. The show underscored the injustices of lunch shaming—where students are denied meals or humiliated because they can’t afford them—and revealed the profound consequences of children going hungry at school. The exposure
from this segment helped shed light on how children have even been punished by being barred from prom, graduation, or simply missing out on a meal due to unpaid lunch debt.
School meals as a national issue is a result of the years of work New Mexico Appleseed has dedicated to advocating for equity in school meal programs. We have worked tirelessly to show policymakers, communities, and now the nation why feeding children at school should never be a matter of debate. Without our dedicated research, policy proposals, and on-theground efforts, much of this conversation might not be happening at this level. Now, as we look to the future, we are more determined than ever to ensure every child has access to free, nutritious meals so they can focus on learning, not on where their next meal is coming from.
We were proud to be featured and took it as another sign that we are doing the right work in the right way.
CHILD AND FAMILY HUNGER
EXPANDING WIC ACCESS IN NEW MEXICO: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO REDUCING HUNGER AND IMPROVING HEALTH
New Mexico Appleseed, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), is working on efforts to increase enrollment and participation in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. This program provides essential nutritional support to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children. Recognizing the program’s potential to alleviate food insecurity and improve health outcomes, New Mexico Appleseed and is working with the DOH to craft several innovative strategies to address barriers to WIC participation, especially in rural and high-poverty areas. These strategies aim to ensure that more families can benefit from WIC’s support, contributing to better health for the entire household.
UNDERSTANDING WIC’S ROLE IN COMBATING HUNGER AND IMPROVING HEALTH
WIC is a critical anti-hunger intervention designed to support the nutritional needs of low-income families, particularly during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early childhood. The program provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and social services. This holistic approach addresses both immediate nutritional needs and long-term health outcomes, as WIC participants often experience reduced rates of anemia, better birth outcomes, and improved child growth patterns.
By providing healthy food options, WIC helps to mitigate the effects of food deserts and food insecurity, which are especially prevalent in rural and
low-income communities. For families, this means not only having access to healthier food choices but also receiving guidance on proper nutrition that can improve their overall well-being. By focusing on vulnerable populations, WIC plays a key role in promoting health equity, reducing disparities in childhood development, and fostering stronger, healthier families.
34.7%
CAN’T AFFORD NUTRITIOUS FOOD
Source: NM Appleseed. Community Needs Assessment on Food and Financial Security (2024)
CHALLENGES TO WIC PARTICIPATION: A FOCUS ON NEW MEXICO
Despite the clear benefits of the WIC program, many eligible families in New Mexico do not participate. Several factors contribute to this gap, with logistical and practical barriers playing a significant role. New Mexico’s rural geography, coupled with high poverty rates, creates challenges for families who must attend in-person appointments as part of the WIC application and recertification processes. These appointments often include health assessments, such as bloodwork for hematocrit and lead levels, which require travel to WIC offices or healthcare facilities.
For families living in remote areas, the time and cost associated with traveling to these appointments can be prohibitive. Limited access to reliable transportation, childcare, and flexible work schedules further exacerbates these challenges. As a result, many families, despite being eligible for WIC benefits, are unable to access the program’s resources. This has significant implications for public health, as it means that many children and mothers do not receive the nutritional support they need during critical stages of development.
CHILD AND FAMILY HUNGER
ADDRESSING BARRIERS THROUGH INNOVATION: NEW MEXICO APPLESEED’S APPROACH
In response to these challenges, New Mexico Appleseed is researching and designing several innovative strategies to increase WIC participation and ensuring that the program reaches those who need it most. These interventions are tailored to address the unique barriers faced by families in New Mexico, focusing on accessibility, cultural competence, and streamlined processes.
1. Mobile Enrollment Units
One of the most significant challenges for rural families is the need to travel long distances to WIC offices for in-person meetings. To address this, New Mexico Appleseed is proposing that DOH use mobile units that bring WIC enrollment services directly to rural communities. These mobile units are equipped with technology that allows families to connect with qualified enrollment agents and complete the necessary steps for WIC enrollment and recertification. This approach significantly reduces travel time and costs for families, making it easier for them to participate in the program.
The mobile units also serve as a hub for community engagement, allowing families to ask questions and receive information about other available resources. This face-to-face interaction, facilitated by culturally competent staff, helps build trust within communities that may be hesitant to engage with government programs. By meeting families where they are, we hope to remove a key barrier to WIC participation and increasing the reach of the program.
2. Using Recent Bloodwork to Streamline the Process
To further simplify the enrollment process, New Mexico Appleseed and the DOH have introduced a policy that allows families to use recent bloodwork results from healthcare providers instead of requiring in-person bloodwork appointments for hematocrit and lead level assessments. This change acknowledges the practical challenges that families face in accessing healthcare and eliminates the need for additional trips to WIC offices solely for blood testing.
“TO ACCESS BASIC
NUTRITION SUPPORT FOR PREGNANCY, BABIES, AND YOUNG CHILDREN THROUGH WIC, PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES, PROVIDE A BLOOD SAMPLE, AND SUBMIT EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION—ALL JUST TO GET FOOD. WE’RE WORKING TO MAKE WIC ENROLLMENT ACCESSIBLE REMOTELY TO REDUCE THESE BARRIERS.”
JENNIFER RAMO
By leveraging existing healthcare relationships and utilizing data from recent medical visits, this policy not only eases the burden on families but also reduces the administrative workload for WIC staff. Families can now submit their recent bloodwork results as part of their WIC application, which expedites the process and ensures that families can access benefits more quickly.
3. Addressing Cultural Barriers to Participation
In New Mexico, a diverse population includes both undocumented families and those with varying immigration statuses, such as green card holders and U.S. citizens. These populations often face additional barriers to accessing government programs due to fear of discrimination, misunderstandings about eligibility, or concerns about sharing personal information. Recognizing these challenges, New Mexico Appleseed and is focused on culturally responsive outreach efforts.
The goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all families, regardless of their background or status, feel comfortable accessing WIC services. Additionally, partnerships with communitybased organizations help bridge the gap between the government and the community, fostering trust and encouraging more families to participate in the program.
THE IMPACT OF INCREASED WIC PARTICIPATION ON FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
The efforts to increase WIC participation in New Mexico have significant implications for the health and well-being of families. By reducing barriers to access, New Mexico Appleseed and the DOH are helping more families receive the nutritional support they need during pregnancy and early childhood, which is critical for healthy development. The supplemental foods provided through WIC, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products, contribute to better dietary habits and improved health outcomes.
Moreover, WIC’s emphasis on nutrition education empowers families with the knowledge they need
to make healthier food choices, even beyond the duration of their WIC participation. For children, this can mean better growth, cognitive development, and long-term health outcomes, such as lower rates of obesity and chronic diseases. For mothers, WIC provides support during pregnancy and breastfeeding, helping to ensure better birth outcomes and maternal health.
The broader community benefits as well, as improved nutrition and health outcomes among children and mothers contribute to reduced healthcare costs and a healthier, more productive population. In areas where food insecurity is high, WIC can help stabilize households and reduce the stress associated with not knowing where the next meal will come from.
CONCLUSION: A MODEL FOR INNOVATION AND ACCESS
New Mexico Appleseed’s collaboration with the DOH to increase WIC participation represents a comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes in the state. By focusing on innovative solutions like mobile units, streamlining processes through the use of recent medical data, and fostering culturally responsive engagement, they are working to ensure that WIC reaches all eligible families, including those in the most remote and underserved areas.
This work highlights the importance of adapting public programs to the unique needs of communities and demonstrates how thoughtful interventions can make a significant impact on the lives of families. As New Mexico continues to refine and expand these initiatives, they offer a promising model for other states seeking to reduce hunger and improve health equity for their most vulnerable residents.
In 2024, New Mexico Appleseed achieved significant policy victories that support long-term food security and Tribal sovereignty, particularly through the Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act (H.R. 1589). This legislation, which New Mexico Appleseed helped develop and advocate for since its original introduction in 2015, is a milestone in empowering Tribal nations to manage their own nutrition programs. Over nearly 15 years, we worked alongside Tribal partners, including the Navajo Nation and various Pueblo Tribes in New Mexico, to identify barriers to accessing healthy, adequate and local birds through the existing USDA framework and craft solutions tailored to Tribal communities.
After years of pressing The USDA to allow tribal sovereign governments to administer their own nutrition programs, the USDA has now agreed to create a pilot program for 10 tribes around the country. This is incredibly exciting news with national and local impact.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND REINTRODUCTION
The Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act was first introduced in 2015 by Representative Teresa Leger Fernández and other New Mexico lawmakers as part of broader efforts to address food insecurity in Indigenous communities. The bill faced delays and reintroductions in subsequent sessions of Congress, with significant amendments informed by years of advocacy and collaboration between New Mexico Appleseed, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders.
need for Tribal control over food programs. As of this printing, the USDA is poised to launch a pilot program for 10 Tribal entities. This program allows Tribal governments to directly administer key nutrition services, such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The success of this legislative effort is a testament to the persistence of New Mexico Appleseed and its partners.
ADDRESSING GAPS IN THE USDA FRAMEWORK
Through years of collaboration with the Navajo Nation, Pueblo Tribes, and other stakeholders, New Mexico Appleseed identified critical flaws in the USDA’s state-centric administration of nutrition programs. The current framework, which only allocates funds to states to oversee school meals and summer feeding programs, has proven ineffective for Tribal governments. This structure imposed numerous barriers on Tribes, including:
1. Difficulty Procuring Local Foods: Tribal governments faced challenges in obtaining locally sourced foods due to state and federal procurement rules. These regulations often hindered efforts to incorporate culturally relevant foods, resulting in missed opportunities to provide healthier, culturally appropriate nutrition.
The Act was reintroduced several times over the years, reflecting the growing recognition of the
2. Multi-State Administration Burden: The Navajo Nation, spanning three states (New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah), encountered excessive administrative burdens. To access USDA nutrition programs, they were required to coordinate with three separate state governments, creating delays and inefficiencies. This fragmented process made it difficult for the
Navajo Nation to ensure consistent and quality nutrition for children across its territory.
3. Food Quality and Supply Chain Issues:
Because state-based administration often relied on distant suppliers, Tribes received poor-quality food that had traveled long distances. This issue was particularly pronounced in the Navajo Nation,
ADVOCACY FOR TRIBAL CONTROL AND THE USDA PILOT
New Mexico Appleseed and its tribal partners concluded that the only effective solution was for Tribal nations to directly administer their own nutrition programs. By proposing a USDA pilot program, we sought to demonstrate the benefits of Tribal control in addressing local needs, reducing administrative burdens, and improving food quality
Our proposal was backed by years of advocacy, data, and firsthand accounts from Tribal governments, highlighting the necessity of a program that would: of culturally by allowing Tribes by reducing reliance on distant suppliers and integrating local cooking and food traditions into school meals.
New Mexico’s Congressional Representative Teresa Leger and Senator , these proposals gained legislative
NEXT STEPS AND IMPLEMENTATION
The USDA is in the process of engaging with Tribal governments, gathering input, and creating a working group to ensure the program meets the diverse needs of participating Tribes. New Mexico Appleseed will continue to work closely with the USDA, Tribes, and other stakeholders to support the pilot’s
This pilot is expected to:
• Provide direct funding to 10 Tribal entities for the administration of nutrition programs.
• Empower Tribes to design programs that reflect their cultural values and dietary preferences.
• Evaluate outcomes to inform potential nationwide expansion of Tribal-led nutrition services.
CONCLUSION
The passage of the Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act and its incorporation into the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations bill marks a significant milestone in the fight for Tribal food sovereignty. By enabling Tribes to manage their own nutrition programs, the USDA pilot addresses long-standing challenges and empowers Tribal nations to provide healthier, culturally appropriate meals to their communities.
New Mexico Appleseed is proud to have played a pivotal role in this achievement, and we remain committed to advocating for policies that promote equity, self-determination, and food security for all Tribal nations.
Through our sustained advocacy and collaboration, Tribes across the country will reclaim control over their food systems and address the pervasive issue of food insecurity in Native American communities. This work is a reflection of New Mexico Appleseed’s ongoing commitment to policy-driven change that empowers vulnerable communities, particularly Indigenous populations. Together with our Tribal partners and supporters in Congress, we have made significant strides, and we look forward to continuing this vital work.
CHILD AND FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
SUPPORTING HOMELESS AND INADEQUATELY HOUSED STUDENTS TO GRADUATE
For more than 12 years, New Mexico Appleseed has focused on the educational needs of students experiencing homelessness, couch surf, live in motels,or somehow cram themselves into an overcrowded home with other family. This commitment is rooted in the belief that every child, regardless of housing status, deserves equal access to education. Through targeted policies and innovative programs, New Mexico Appleseed aims to address the specific challenges these students face, promoting both short-term stability and long-term success.
UNDERSTANDING STUDENT INADEQUATE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
The connection between poverty, lack of income, and homelessness is multifaceted. Families living in poverty often struggle to maintain stable housing due to insufficient income, making it difficult to keep up with rent and other living expenses. Past evictions can hinder families from securing new housing, as landlords view eviction histories as high risk. Additionally, unpaid utility bills can prevent families from accessing essential services like electricity and water, further contributing to housing instability. This cycle of economic hardship increases the risk of homelessness and places significant stress on children, affecting their education, mental
66.3%
BELIEVE WAGES ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COST OF LIVING (WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS BUT NOT ENOUGH MONEY)
Source: NM Appleseed. Community Needs Assessment on Food and Financial Security (2024)
FEDERAL MCKINNEY VENTO PROTECTIONS FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS
The McKinney-Vento Act provides protections to ensure that students experiencing homelessness can access and remain in school. It defines homelessness broadly, covering a wide range of housing instability beyond the image of street homelessness. This includes children and youth who are:
• Living in motels, hotels, or trailer parks due to lack of alternatives.
• Staying in shelters or transitional housing.
• Doubled up with friends or relatives because of economic hardship.
• Living in cars, parks, campgrounds, or abandoned buildings.
• Residing in substandard housing lacking utilities, having severe structural issues, or failing to meet local building codes.
health, and overall development.
This broad definition is crucial because it acknowledges the various forms housing instability can take, all of which can hinder a child’s ability to learn. For example, families who are “doubled up” may lack a formal lease, making them vulnerable to sudden displacement. Including substandard housing is particularly relevant in rural areas where homes may be overcrowded or lack amenities like heating or indoor plumbing.
The MKV Act also covers unaccompanied youth— students who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and lack a stable nighttime residence. This provision ensures that even those without traditional family support have access to educational stability.
THE ACADEMIC AND EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF STUDENT HOMELESSNESS
The broad eligibility criteria of the MKV Act mean that a significant number of children in New Mexico qualify for support. Addressing their needs is especially critical in a state with high rates of child poverty and homelessness, particularly in rural areas with limited access to services. Homeless students are at a higher risk of dropping out due to their mobility; they often move between homes or shelters, making it difficult to remain in their school of origin, sometimes leading to disengagement from academics altogether.
• Absenteeism: Nationally, homeless students are twice as likely to be chronically absent from school as their stably housed peers, a factor closely linked to lower graduation rates. This high level of absenteeism is often fueled by the significant mobility of these students, who frequently move between shelters, temporary housing, or stay with
different relatives and friends. Each move disrupts their ability to maintain a consistent school schedule, making it difficult to stay engaged with their classes and form stable relationships with teachers and peers. The instability of not having a permanent residence means that students may miss school during transitions between housing situations or because transportation becomes unreliable or unavailable as they relocate. This frequent movement creates barriers to continuity in their education, further contributing to their academic challenges.
• High School Non-Completion: Research highlights the severe consequences of housing instability and disrupted education. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that students facing housing instability are significantly more likely to experience substance misuse, mental health issues, and suicidal ideation than their stably housed peers. Moreover, students who do not complete high school are 4.5 times more likely to experience homelessness in adulthood.
The impact of housing instability extends beyond temporary challenges—it has profound and lasting effects on a child’s academic journey. In New Mexico, the graduation rate for homeless students was around 61% for the class of 2022, compared to the statewide average of 76%. This gap underscores the challenges homeless students face in achieving academic success.
• Child maltreatment: Family homelessness is closely correlated with increased rates of child maltreatment due to the heightened stress and instability it creates for both children and parents. Homelessness exacerbates factors like poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and social isolation, all of which can increase the risk of neglect or abuse. Families experiencing homelessness often
face unsafe living conditions, overcrowding, and frequent moves, which can contribute to emotional distress and mental health issues. These conditions undermine parents’ ability to provide consistent care and supervision, making children more vulnerable to maltreatment. Moreover, the stress associated with homelessness can impair parents’ coping mechanisms, increasing the likelihood of abusive behavior or neglect. As a result, interventions that address both homelessness and family support systems are critical in reducing the risks of child maltreatment.
AN EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION: FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR ATTENDANCE
Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs have proven effective in improving school attendance and enrollment. Mexico’s Progresa program, one of the first large-scale CCT initiatives, increased secondary school enrollment by 6–10 percentage points, with a 15% rise among girls. Colombia’s Familias en Acción program boosted attendance by 3.6 percentage points and increased graduation rates by 4 percentage points. These programs have been particularly successful for students who might otherwise drop out, showing that financial incentives can help bridge educational gaps for disadvantaged families.
24.5% BELIEVE THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR ADEQUATE SHELTER IS THE SOLUTION TO HELP END THE CYCLES OF POVERTY.
Source: NM Appleseed. Community Needs Assessment on Food and Financial Security (2024)
Globally, CCT programs have shown similar results. According to the World Bank, such programs can increase enrollment rates by 5–10 percentage points on average, with effectiveness varying based on local contexts. For example, Turkey’s CCTs led to a 10% increase in secondary school attendance,
New Mexico Appleseed’s Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot—later
renamed the Guaranteed Payment for Attendance (GPA) Program—was the first successful CCT initiative in the U.S. that tied financial support to student attendance and tutoring. Launched in 2021, the pilot provided $500 monthly payments to 53 students, contingent on attending weekly tutoring sessions and maintaining a 90% attendance rate. While data on its long-term effectiveness is still emerging, the program aimed to mitigate learning loss and housing instability in the wake of the pandemic.
APPLESEED’S PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES
1. Creation of a Dedicated Office: Establishing an office within the Public Education Department (PED) to oversee MKV programs, ensuring consistent support. Federal COVID-19 funds have dried up leaving PED with less money for fewer staff but the same amount of work to do and possibly more.
2. Mandated Screening Tools: Implementing tools in schools to identify homeless students early, enabling timely intervention. Well approximately 10,000 students in New Mexico are identified every year, number is closer to 20,000. Understanding not only how many are homeless or inadequately housed but what kind of challenges they face can be screened before they even start school.
“I HAVE BEEN WAITING 8 YEARS FOR HOUSING VOUCHERS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I FINIALLY JUST STARTED TO WORK TWO JOBS (IN SANTA FE) TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A PLACE FOR ME AND MY SON.”
DESIRA (ALBUQUERQUE)
3. Warm Handoff Protocols: Ensuring smooth transitions when students change schools, minimizing educational disruptions and improving outcomes for those children who are highly mobile and have to start fresh at new schools too often without any background on where they have been and what they need.
4. Teacher Training: Providing regular training to educators to recognize the signs of homelessness and address the needs of these students.
GUARANTEED PAYMENT FOR ATTENDANCE (GPA): BOOSTING GRADUATION RATES FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS
Students experiencing homelessness face steep challenges that obstruct academic success. McKinney-Vento students endure higher rates of absenteeism, school instability, and mental health challenges, all of which contribute to lower graduation rates. Without intervention, these barriers lead to poor academic outcomes and long-term social and economic hardship. New Mexico Appleseed’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) pilot, launched in 2020-2021, tested whether financial incentives could drive student engagement and improve educational outcomes.
CCT PILOT SUCCESS: LAYING THE FOUNDATION
In partnership with the Cuba and West Las Vegas School Districts, the CCT program provided participating homeless students with a $500 monthly stipend, conditional upon school attendance, tutoring participation, and engagement in social-emotional support. These stipends helped students overcome barriers like food insecurity, transportation challenges, and housing instability, allowing them to focus on their studies and personal well-being.
The results were striking: 93% of participating seniors graduated on time, compared to the state average of 51% for McKinney-Vento students. Thirteen out of fourteen seniors completed high school, underscoring the impact of targeted financial support. This success validates the potential of financial incentives to drive academic achievement for marginalized youth.
EXPANDING SUCCESS WITH THE GUARANTEED PAYMENT FOR ATTENDANCE (GPA) PROGRAM
Building on the pilot’s success, New Mexico
Appleseed is proposing a statewide Guaranteed Payment for Attendance (GPA) program to reach 1,500 McKinney-Vento students. This initiative will offer monthly payments of $500, contingent on regular school attendance, to help students surmount the financial and social challenges they face. With an estimated $10 million annual budget, GPA aims to raise New Mexico’s graduation rate for McKinneyVento students, setting a precedent in supporting homeless youth and enhancing statewide graduation rates.
If the GPA program successfully graduates at the same 93% graduation rate as the pilot, it will raise New Mexico’s total graduation rate to near the national average. It will also improve life outcomes for the students and their future children.
LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT AND STATEWIDE VISION
With legislative allies including Senator Michael Padilla, Senator Bill Soules, and Representative Meredith Dixon, New Mexico Appleseed is working to secure funding and approval for GPA through the Legislative Education Finance Committee. This collaborative effort aims to uplift vulnerable students across New Mexico, providing a model for other states addressing homelessness and graduation challenges.
A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH
The GPA program offers a powerful solution to the persistent barriers homeless students face. By investing in these students, New Mexico can not only improve educational outcomes but also break cycles of poverty and hardship. With targeted support, the GPA initiative will empower McKinney-Vento students to graduate, pursue brighter futures, and inspire similar initiatives nationwide.
33.7%
BELIEVE THAT $1,000 IS THE MONTHLY INCOME NEEDED TO MEET ALL OF BASIC NEEDS AND NO LONGER HAVE FINANCIAL STRESS.
Source: NM Appleseed. Community Needs Assessment on Food and Financial Security (2024)
highlighting the value of tailored interventions. The long-term benefits extend beyond individual success. By ensuring that students experiencing homelessness complete their education, New Mexico Appleseed aims to reduce overall rates of adult homelessness. Research shows that adults who experienced homelessness as youth are at a much higher risk of chronic housing instability and unemployment. Early intervention can break this cycle, leading to better outcomes for both individuals and society.
New Mexico Appleseed’s dedication to these children and families reflects a deep commitment to addressing systemic inequities through targeted support. Their strategy combines direct interventions with legislative advocacy, offering a comprehensive model for supporting homeless students. By tackling the root causes of educational disparities, such as housing instability, New Mexico Appleseed strives to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. As the organization expands its efforts, it continues to provide a crucial lifeline for New Mexico’s most vulnerable students, offering a pathway to stability and success.
FAMILY ECONOMIC
STABILITY
BASIC INCOME FOR BABY SUCCESS: A TWO GENERATION APPROACH TO SUBSTANCE EXPOSED MOM-BABY DYADS
New Mexico is facing a growing crisis of babies born with substance use exposure and their suffering from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) creating significant challenges for our communities and threatening the well-being of our most vulnerable children. With high rates of child maltreatment, primarily due to neglect, there is a critical need for innovative solutions that can stabilize families in crisis.
New Mexico Appleseed has responded with a bold proposal to stabilize both parents and babies: the Basic Income for Baby Success (BIBS) program, designed to provide direct cash assistance to caregivers of infants born with substance exposure. This initiative is grounded in comprehensive research and community input, aimed at creating a model that offers immediate relief while addressing deeper systemic issues.
True impact comes from addressing the root causes of poverty. BIBS is an intervention that addresses the needs and leverages the assets of two generations, keeps children out of the foster care system, and sets the stage for economic stability.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN POVERTY, CHILD MALTREATMENT AND SUBSTANCE USE
The need for direct cash support is clear—data show that income instability is a major contributor to both SUD and child maltreatment. In New Mexico, 82% of child maltreatment cases involve material neglect, which disproportionately affects communities of
color (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2022). Studies show that a 10% increase in opioidrelated hospitalizations leads to a 1.3% rise in child maltreatment cases (Ali et al., 2022). These statistics reveal the urgency of the BIBS program, which aims to break this cycle through direct financial support to families, reducing economic pressures and enabling stability.
made up of caregivers and parents of substanceexposed infants, community advocates, and service providers. This team’s diverse perspectives have been crucial in designing a program that truly addresses the complex challenges families face. We have provided training and guidance to the DT, ensuring that the program is not only communitydriven but also sustainable.
45.9%
UTILITY EXPENSES ARE HARD TO PAY (PROPANE/ELECTRIC, WINTER AND SUMMER).
Source: NM Appleseed. Community Needs Assessment on Food and Financial Security (2024).
CO-CREATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS: A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH
New Mexico Appleseed is leading this effort with a commitment to systemic change. Traditional welfare models often fall short of addressing the root causes of poverty, so we have prioritized a communitycentered approach to the BIBS program’s design. By engaging directly with stakeholders—those most impacted by SUD—we ensure that the program reflects the realities and needs of families in crisis. With our leadership, the program is not just about providing relief; it’s about reshaping the system to create long-term change for the most vulnerable New Mexicans.
Staying true to our community based model, New Mexico Appleseed established a design team (DT)
Their expertise provided valuable insights into the challenges families face, such as housing instability, limited access to transportation, and barriers to mental health services.
BIBS PROGRAM:
Goals: The implications of the BIBS intervention could be far more significant as a child’s life continues to adulthood. If successful, we could see higher graduation rates, fewer mental health and substance use issues and economic mobility. These alone would providing humanitarian and financial return on investment unlike any other intervention. In the short term, New Mexico Appleseed will look at data around:
BIBS GOALS
• Decrease
- Child maltreatment
- Child welfare interactions
- Child and maternal mortality
• Increase
- Pediatric visits
- Financial stability
- Housing stability
- Food security
BIBS CORE ELEMENTS
The BIBS program is built on the evidence based tool of unrestricted cash transfers and enhanced with the direct design input from the intended beneficiary community. Its core components include:
• Direct Cash Transfers (DCTs): A monthly payment of $1,000 to help caregivers cover essential expenses like rent, transportation, and baby supplies. This flexible support reduces financial stress, allowing caregivers to focus on their families’ well-being.
• Compulsory Activities: While most DCT’s are best without any conditions attached, sodue to the funding restrictions and the fragility of the substance exposed mom/baby dyads, the DT and New Mexico Appleseed added a condition to receive the monthly payments. At this juncture of the design process, participants will need to have a monthly home visit and bring the baby to the pediatrician for required visits.
• Voluntary Supportive Services: Voluntary access to additional services, including financial literacy courses, peer support, and resource navigation, ensuring that families have the tools to thrive.
“OUR SALARIES ARE SO LOW, AND EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE, THAT IT’S MAKING IT HARDER FOR FAMILIES LIKE MINE TO SURVIVE. AND IT ACTUALLY MAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE GO HOMELESS BECAUSE IT’S EITHER THEY EAT OR THEY PAY FOR THEIR HOUSING.”
DESIRA (ALBUQUERQUE)
53.1%
OF RESPONDENTS BELIEVE THAT THE SOLUTION TO FINANCIAL INSECURITY IS ACCESS TO BETTER EDUCATION AND BETTER PAYING JOBS.
Source: NM Appleseed. Community Needs Assessment on Food and Financial Security (2024).
RIGOROUS EVALUATION
The BIBS program has the potential to make a durable and profound difference in the lives of the most vulnerable babies and caretakers. By reducing financial stress, it can help caregivers maintain stable housing and better care for their children, creating a foundation for long-term success.
New Mexico Appleseed is working with the Department of Health to have a rigorous evaluation of the data collected on both the babies and the caregivers. Administrative data including medical outcomes, participation in services, and child welfare interventions will demonstrate whether this program has the intended impact. At the same time, New Mexico Appleseed will collect qualitative data from the participants. This will give us a window into how the money was used and what kind of help it provided, if any.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT: ECONOMIC RATIONALE FOR CASH SUPPORT
Investing in direct cash support isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart economics. Evidence shows that stable families reduce demand on emergency
services, child welfare, and healthcare systems. By providing financial stability, the BIBS program helps prevent costly interventions like foster care, which can exceed $30,000 per child per year. Every dollar invested in this program has the potential to save thousands more in public costs, while transforming the lives of families.
NEXT STEPS: POLICY ADVOCACY AND SUSTAINABLE EXPANSION
New Mexico Appleseed’s leadership extends beyond this proposal—we are committed to advocating for policy change that can expand the impact of programs like BIBS. Your partnership will allow us to:
1. Advocate for Unrestricted Cash Transfers at state and federal levels.
2. Strengthen Partnerships for Systemic Change with local and national entities.
3. Invest in Long-term Evaluation and Research to refine the BIBS program and demonstrate its effectiveness.
CONCLUSION
The BIBS proposal is more than a response to an immediate crisis—it’s a pathway to systemic change. By centering the voices of those most affected and supporting that work with scientific and policy research, New Mexico Appleseed is creating a model that offers both immediate relief and a sustainable solution to the challenges of SUD and poverty. Your support is crucial in bringing this program from proposal to reality, ensuring that every child and family in New Mexico has the opportunity to thrive. Join us in driving this change. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
EVIDENCE BASED POLICY MAKING
ESTABLISHING EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY FOR CHILDREN’S WELLBEING
New Mexico Appleseed has long focused on creating data-driven solutions to address child poverty and improve social outcomes. One of our most significant projects, the Family Success Lab (the Lab) at the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), is the result of years of advocacy for an integrated data system that helps the state better identify the needs of vulnerable children and families. Although initial efforts to pass legislation in 2017 to formally create the Family Success Lab were unsuccessful, we achieved our goal through state appropriations.
Today, the Family Success Lab could play a crucial role in evaluating state programs for children and ensuring resources are effectively allocated to prevent childhood adversity and promote best practices.
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF DATA SILOS
New Mexico’s government agencies historically operated in silos, which made it difficult to coordinate care and services for children at risk. For example, a child’s housing instability or food insecurity often went unnoticed by schools or healthcare providers due to the lack of communication between systems. The Family Success Lab is poised to break down these barriers by linking data from various sources, creating a more comprehensive understanding of each family’s needs. This approach not only informs policymakers about which services are being accessed but also evaluates whether those services are effective.
PROGRAM EVALUATION AND IMPACT
Now that the Family Success Lab is operational, New Mexico Appleseed is collaborating with the DOH to design program evaluations that focus on child treatment and health outcomes. By tracking the data, the Lab will help answer key questions such as:
• Who needs services?
• What services are they receiving?
• Are these services achieving the intended outcomes?
One of our key insights is that while New Mexico has invested significant resources in childhood and education programs, we have yet to see the positive outcomes expected from these investments. The Family Success Lab is essential in ensuring that the state’s investments are both effective and impactful. This data-driven approach will not only improve current services but also contribute to a national evidence base, helping other states develop similar systems to support vulnerable populations.
EXPANDING THE VISION
The ultimate goal of the Family Success Lab is to ensure that New Mexico’s investments in children’s services yield measurable, positive outcomes. By integrating data from multiple sources, the state will have the tools to prevent childhood adversity, improve health outcomes, and implement evidencebased practices that are scalable and replicable nationwide.
Our work with the Family Success Lab is ongoing, and we are actively pressing forward to expand its scope, ensuring that every dollar invested in New Mexico’s children contributes to long-term success. As we continue to develop robust program evaluations, we are confident that this initiative
will lead to better social determinants of health for children and contribute to broader policy advancements.
LOOKING AHEAD
Moving forward, New Mexico Appleseed aims to further integrate data across agencies and expand the Family Success Lab’s capacity to evaluate a wide range of programs. With this evidence-based approach, New Mexico will be better equipped to serve its most vulnerable children, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and that the services provided truly make a difference.
By continuing to invest in the Family Success Lab, we are creating a model for evidence-based policymaking that will not only improve outcomes for children in New Mexico but also serve as a template for other states looking to address childhood adversity in a more coordinated and effective manner.
CONCLUSION
New Mexico Appleseed’s efforts to create an integrated data system through the Family Success Lab have laid the groundwork for transformative change in how the state addresses childhood well-being. Although we faced challenges in securing legislation, our perseverance has led to the successful establishment of the Lab through state appropriations. We are now focused on evaluating the effectiveness of services provided to children, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that New Mexico’s investments lead to tangible, positive outcomes.
By aligning data, resources, and policy, we are ensuring that New Mexico’s children not only receive the help they need now but also contribute to building a more equitable future for generations to come.
New Mexico Appleseed's Team
Jennifer Ramo
Founder & Executive Director jramo@nmappleseed.org
Jennifer Ramo is the founder and Executive Director of New Mexico Appleseed. An experienced attorney, she designed New Mexico Appleseed’s effective system of change and created Appleseed’s first-in-the-nation programs such as the Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights (prohibited lunch shaming children whose parents owe school meal debt), the Breakfast After the Bell law (requires all high poverty elementary schools to serve breakfast during the school day that has been replicated by over a dozen states and districts) and the Food Access Navigator project on the Navajo Nation (awarded a USDA innovation demonstration grant). Her anti-hunger and homelessness work has received international attention and been highlighted in the New York Times, CNN, USA Today, Le Monde, BBC and Al Jazeera, among others.
Ms. Ramo’s professional focus is on multi-generational systems involvement and using community voice/qualitative data and quantitative data to improve poverty outcomes. The lens of racial equity in the poverty arena is a natural extension of this work. Ms. Ramo is a graduate of Albuquerque Academy, the University of Southern California and Tulane Law School. She was a recipient of the Coro Fellowship.
Daniel Valverde Deputy Director dvalverde@nmappleseed.org
Daniel Valverde is responsible for bringing awareness about child hunger issues across the state and helps support federal programs, such as school breakfast, school lunch, and after school meals. He helps assist after school programs in receiving free reimbursable meals and snacks using federal funds. He also works on Appleseed’s McKinney-Vento program. His work includes supporting school districts around the state with their McKinneyVento programs, offering technical assistance, and identifying issues on the ground that require policy changes.
Mr. Valverde was accepted as an Emerson Hunger Fellow with Congressional Hunger Center in Washington D.C., He improved access to SNAP at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Food Security Partnership in Pittsburg Pennsylvania, and then moved on to explore health care providers’ role in ending childhood hunger at the Share Our Strength in Washington, DC with the Partner Impact and Advocacy team. Most recently, Daniel was a Child Hunger Outreach Specialist with the Texas Hunger Initiative at Baylor University School of Social Work. Mr. Valverde received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Eastern New Mexico University, and his master’s degree in cultural anthropology and food studies at New Mexico State University.
New Mexico Appleseed: 2022 - 2023 Donor Impact Report
Over the past 15 years, we’ve seen the power of community in tackling social challenges. Together, we’ve changed policies, improved lives, and restored hope. With your support, we look forward to a future where poverty becomes a bridge to opportunity.
Read more here
Josephine Benavidez Director of Administration jbenabidez@nmappleseed.org
Josephine Benavidez, as Director of Administration, is responsible for all aspects of the accounting for the organization, including maintenance of donor databases, and management of the office and support to staff.
A native to Northern New Mexico Josephine has spent her life raising her family with her husband and giving back to the community she was raised in, something that is deeply important to her. Josephine attended the Santa Fe Community College while raising her family and working full-time obtaining her associate degrees in accounting and business to further compliment her twenty-eight years of experience in the fields of accounting and office management.
She is known for her attention to detail and dedication to her trade. Her ability to adapt and solve problems, often with limited resources working toward team and personal goals is a key character trait she possesses. Her comprehensive bookkeeping, administrative, and office management experience in her career and her latest role as finance and operations manager will contribute to her success in supporting New Mexico Appleseed’s initiatives.
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dale R. Dekker, Chair Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
Caroline Garcia, Treasurer KPMG LLP
Linh Nguyen, Secretary Lumina Foundation Education, Inc
Kara Bobroff One Generation
Dr. Veronica Garcia Retired
Randi McGinn McGinn, Montoya, Love & Curry
Dawn Nieto-Gouy Kiva Ventures
Jennifer Ramo New Mexico Appleseed
New Mexico Appleseed: Our 2022 Impact Report
New Mexico Appleseed focuses on systemic solutions to the causes and consequences of poverty. We work from the tiniest communities to the state, tribal and federal government to define problems and create solutions. New Mexico Appleseed’s work is thoughtful, innovative, and effective.
Read more here
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DONATIONS AND PLEDGES RECEIVED FROM 2023 THROUGH NOVEMBER 13, 2024. 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 JENNIFER RAMO AT JRAMO@NMAPPLESEED.ORG. THANK YOU!
