New Mexico will be the first state in the country to offer no-cost universal child care starting in November.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made the announcement on Monday, Sept. 8, along with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department. The initiative, which begins Nov. 1, will remove income eligibility requirements, making child care available to all New Mexicans regardless of income.

“Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexico’s future prosperity,” said Lujan Grisham in a news release. “By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.”

New Mexico already provides no-cost child care to families with incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Monday’s announcement that universal child care will be extended to every family in the state, which would amount to an average annual family savings of $12,000 per child, according to the news release.

This is a developing story.

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.

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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New Mexico to offer no-cost universal child care. What to know