LANLF News:
The community is invited to Grandparents & Kin Raising Children Day starting at 9 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2025, at the New Mexico Legislature. This is a special event celebrating the resilience and dedication of grandparents and kinship caregivers raising children in New Mexico.
Did you know? New Mexico has the highest percentage of grandparents and kin raising children in the nation. Between 2021 and 2023, 8% of children in New Mexico were in kinship care—more than double the national average of 3%. Additionally, from 2017 to 2023, the number of children in kinship care in our state grew from approximately 30,000 to 36,000, while nationally, these numbers declined slightly.
Join us as we raise awareness about the needs of children in our state and honor the families providing them with love and stability.
Click here to view the full program agenda.
Featuring:
- Photo Exhibit Launch – Award-winning photographer Jane Bernard captures the everyday lives of kinship families.
- Panel Discussions – Hear from grandparents, children, legislators, and community organizations.
- Resource Booths – Connect with valuable support networks for kinship families.
Featured Speakers:
- Lt. Governor Howie Morales
- Rep. Susan Herrera
- Sen. Michael Padilla
- Aging and Long-Term Care Department Secretary Emily Kaltenbach
- Speakers from LANL Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation
- Panels featuring grandparents, kinship caregivers, community providers, and youth raised in kinship care
This event is a chance to come together in support of New Mexico’s kinship caregivers and recognize the important role they play in shaping the future of our children.