Public Policy Position on Children and Youth
Background
Children and youth constitute one of the more vulnerable segments of any society, possessing neither political nor economic strength comparable to the adult population. A major responsibility of the State (shared, to be sure with the family, school, the church and other community agencies and institutions) is to foster and promote the optimum quality of life for all children and youth, and to protect them from neglect, exploitation, or abuse.
In respect to its children and youth population, the State of New Mexico confronts many pressing needs. State in programs include, by way of illustration, child protection and social services; health and nutrition; income support; juvenile justice; youth employment; and prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation related to alcohol and drug abuse. Progress has been made in these fields, but many problems remain to be solved.
Among continued critical needs relating to children and youth in New Mexico are the following:
- Programs of substance abuse prevention and treatment including programs of
- Education and prevention in the public schools;
- Funding of treatment centers and funding of stringent enforcement of laws against distribution of illicit drugs and against the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by juveniles;
- Programs for detection and prevention of child abuse;
- Improved facilities and funding for child care; (e.g. Day Care, foster homes, group homes, etc.);
- Programs to deal with teenage pregnancy;
- Plans for reducing school truancy;
- Programs for youth employment.
Policy Position
The New Mexico Conference of Churches will support programs designed to foster and promote high quality of life for children and youth in the home, the school, recreational and work places. We will work for a physically and emotionally healthy environment of human association, in the natural family wherever possible, but in caring and nurturing alternative social settings where necessary. We will support legislation for the protection of children and youth from neglect, exploitation or abuse and for the expansion of opportunities for their personal development and fulfillment as human beings.
In particular, we continue to support the creation of a Children's Trust Fund. This would be a one-time legislative appropriation of substantial size to create a permanent fund, the earnings from which would be devoted to dealing with the most critical problems of children and youth, especially in the areas of child neglect and abuse.
