Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2025
CONTACT
Julia Sclafani
Public Relations Specialist
Email: julia.sclafani@ececd.nm.gov
Mobile: (505) 699–5937
1120 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) has implemented a 7% reimbursement rate increase for early intervention services to more accurately reflect the cost of care and support a stable workforce.
“We are proud to implement these rate increases, which are a direct result of collaboration with the FIT provider community and the ICC,” said ECECD Sec. Elizabeth Groginsky. “We’re not only recognizing the real costs of providing quality services—we’re strengthening the long-term stability of the early intervention sector. A strong, well-supported workforce is essential to improving outcomes for children and families.”
The new rates for Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program services, effective for fiscal year 2026, reflect ECECD’s continued investment in strengthening early intervention services statewide.
The updated rates were informed by a cost model developed in collaboration with FIT providers and the Interagency Coordinating Council’s (ICC) Funding and Finance Committee. Increased funding from the fiscal year 2026 state budget supports the adjustment, which ensures providers are fairly compensated for delivering services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.
FIT Program reimbursement rates were last increased in February 2025. With this latest adjustment, rates will have increased by 51% since the program moved under ECECD in July 2020.
“This year’s rate increase supports agencies to recruit and retain the amazing staff and providers who do this vital work every day, while also positioning the field for continued growth,” said Sarah Michaud, executive director of New Vistas in Santa Fe. “As a FIT provider, I am deeply grateful for the partnership we have with ECECD and for the agency’s responsiveness to the early intervention community’s input and recommendations to improve services to families in our state.”
The FIT Program provides free early intervention services to infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Services are delivered in home and community settings and may include developmental instruction, speech and language therapy, physical or occupational therapy, family service coordination, and other supports. The program plays a critical role in ensuring children receive the care they need during the earliest and most important years of development.
For more information about early intervention services in New Mexico, visit the FIT Program webpage: Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program | Early Childhood Education & Care Department.
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.