Gov. Susana Martinez's administration plans to distribute about $1 million in assistance to help children in low-income families and foster children prepare to return to school.
The Human Services Department will provide $50 for each eligible low-income child for back-to-school clothes. Federal money will cover the estimated $755,000 cost.
The aid will help about 15,100 children and will be distributed through electronic benefit cards to qualifying families.
The Children, Youth and Families Department will provide foster families $100 to buy back-to-school supplies and clothing for each foster child who is age three and older.
About 1,500 to 1,600 children could qualify for the assistance, which will cost up to about $160,000 and is financed with state money in the agency's budget.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.