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The following contracts for supportive services were reduced due to SGF budgetary constraints:

Contractor Program Navajo Nation TANF Support Services Pueblo of Zuni TANF Support Services 2017. During the 2017 Legislative Session, funds were appropriated to implement the NMDWS Vocational Training and University of New Mexico High School Equivalency Program.

2018. July 1, 2018, the Department removed the 7.5% budgetary adjustment from the TANF monthly calculation. The removal of the budgetary adjustment resulted in the payment increase of the TANF monthly allotment.

2019. During the 2019 Legislative Session, Senate Bill 22 created a new Department, ECECD. ECECD was created to focus on early childhood by coordinating and aligning an early childhood education and care system. This includes childcare, pre-kindergarten, early pre-kindergarten, home visitation, early head start, head start, early childhood special education and early intervention and family support. The ECECD provides New Mexico families with consistent access to appropriate care and education services. The services that were coordinated within ECECD were transitioned from CYFD and the programs were funded with TANF monies. 2020. Declaration of Public Health Emergency Response to COVID-19. A State of Public Health Emergency was declared March 16, 2020, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for the State of New Mexico because of the COVID-19. In response to the State of Public Health Emergency, the State of New Mexico HSD issued the following flexibilities for the TANF program to assist those customers impacted by the COVID- 19: 1. Removed the Asset Test from eligibility determination. 2. Allowed all case management to be completed via telephone. 3. Suspended all notifications and implementation of noncompliance from the work requirements and allowed good cause. 4. Guidance and procedures were issued for the Wage Subsidy Clerical Staff who were affected by the Stay-at-Home Order and not able to telework. 5. ISD expanded the eligibility criteria for the TANF hardship during COVID-19 to capture additional customers. 6. Excluded the income received by customers from the CARES Act Direct Payments for eligibility determinations. 7. Excluded the income received by customers through the PUB for eligibility determinations. 8. Implemented a waiver to extend certification periods during the PHE. The Department did not require Interim Reports and extended Certification period for an additional 6 months, during this time. 9. Implemented online purchasing and delivery, where available, of products through Walmart, utilizing the cash benefits. As State of Public Health Orders were being imposed, many families felt the burden of not being able to access internet or have access to computers. This is referred to the “digital divide.” NM recognized the need to address the digital divide and purchased Chrome Books. Chrome Books were used to remove barriers by allowing families to borrow the Chrome Book to access services virtually. 2021. Public Health Emergency was extended and the Public Health Emergency waivers that were