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New Mexico Says More Families Eligible For Child Care Help

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has launched a push to get more eligible families to apply for federally-funded child care assistance.

The Republican governor announced on Thursday efforts to get families to seek assistance for a program that some might not even know exists.

New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Secretary Monique Jacobson says many families in one of the nation's poorest states qualify for child care assistance but don't know they so.

To qualify, families most earn just above the federal poverty line or less.

Jacobson says assistance is offered on a sliding-scale based on income.

State officials say only around 1,800 families in New Mexico currently take advantage of the program.