MANY OF NEW MEXICO’S CHILDREN ARE NOT HAVING THE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES THEY NEED TO GROW INTO HEALTHY ADULTS. THAT’S THE CONCLUSION OF A STUDY RELEASED THIS WEEK BY CHILD TRENDS. IT SHOWS THIS STATE WAS AMONG STATES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES FOR KIDS DEALING WITH ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES … THINGS LIKE LIVING IN DIVORCE OR SEPARATION … HAS A PARENT ON GUARDIAN WHO DIES … LIVING WITH A MENTALLY ILL OR SUICIDAL ADULT OR ONE WHO’S ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
JAMES JIMENEZ WITH NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN SAYS OUR STATE HAS 18 PERCENT OF ITS CHILDREN SUFFERING THROUGH ADVERSE EXPERIENCES, WHILE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 11 PERCENT. JIMENEZ SAYS HOME VISITS AND OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS CAN HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUES THE CHILD FACES.
