New Mexico’s free child care program a lifeline for working parents – where available

Felix Otero embraces his 7-year-old daughter, Destiny, on the playground of East Gate Kids Early Learning Center in Albuquerque on May 3. Otero is receiving free child care under New Mexico’s expanded child care assistance program. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)When Felix Otero first got custody of his young daughter, Destiny, about two years ago, he didn't have family around to watch her while he went to work.He would bring her to Big O Tires where he is a service manager, and she wo