• 211 provides expert, caring help -- No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listens, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their community that improve their lives.
   
• United Way 211 is an easy to remember three-digit phone number that connects people to the help they need.

• Callers to 211 are looking for non-emergency referrals to the health and human service organizations in Curry and Roosevelt counties as well as to regional and national organizations.  There is no fee for this confidential service.

• United Way 211 seeks to inform and empower those looking for help, whether for themselves, their clients, or their families. 211 makes the social services ecosystem/network more efficient by ensuring people in need are connected to agencies that can help them.
   
• Some callers may have items they wish to donate or might be interested in volunteering in our community, 211 Associates will help callers find the organizations that are the best fit for them. 
   
• 211 provides unmatched, critical services -- 211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utility payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services.

CHINS, a local non-profit organization, has provided services for children and families in Otero & Lincoln Counties for over 30 years. CHINS employs over 100 dedicated professionals providing a variety of services designed to support and strengthen families. This makes CHINS one of the larger employers in Otero County

Each center offers the NM Pre-K curriculum to assure school readiness. With the knowledge their children are well cared for, parents can then focus on producing quality work in Otero County!

Pre K and childcare with curriculum focusing on STEM with early coding and robotics as well as literacy.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.

VISION: All New Mexico families ​and young children are thriving​

MISSION: Optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers through a family-driven, equitable, community-based system of high-quality prenatal and early childhood programs and services.

Overview of ECECD Services

Child Care Services

The Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB) administers the Child Care Assistance and the Child Care Regulatory Oversight programs. The childcare assistance program helps parents/legal guardians who are working, going to school, or in a job training program with childcare expenses. The Regulatory Oversight Unit ensures that licensed childcare centers and homes and registered homes provide a quality, safe, and healthy environment for children.

New Mexico PreK
New Mexico PreK is a free program that equips three- and four-year-old children with the early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills they will need to enter Kindergarten ready to thrive. NM PreK is available in both school-based and community-based settings.

Family Infant Toddler (FIT)
All children grow and develop at their own pace. However, sometimes children have special developmental needs or health concerns that may put them at risk or cause a developmental delay. FIT provides early intervention services to children from birth to age three who have or are at risk of developmental delay—as well as their families. 

Families FIRST
Families FIRST case management services assists clients in gaining access to medical, social, and educational services that are necessary to foster positive pregnancy outcomes and promote healthy infants and children in New Mexico.

Home Visiting
New Mexico’s free home visiting program connects parents and caregivers with a friendly expert for regular, planned visits in the comfort of your home. Babies don’t come with instructions, but home visitors guide you to the answers you need to be a happy and healthy family. You can trust them for guidance on a wide range of topics including safe sleep, injury prevention, nutrition, childcare, breast feeding, and more.

Family Nutrition
The Family Nutrition Bureau administers two USDA Child Nutrition Programs: the Child and Adult Care Food Program,
which provides free meals year-round in child and adult care settings, and the Summer Food Service Program, which
partners with community organizations throughout New Mexico to feed children during summer months when public school meal programs are not in operation.

Early Head Start Collaboration Office
ECECD maintains a strong partnership with federal Early Head Start/Tribal Head Start programs through its Head Start State
Collaboration Office (HSSCO) and engagement with the New Mexico Head Start Association. ECECD facilitates partnership
between Head Start programs and the other services addressing the needs of low-income pregnant women, children, and families ensuring that efforts to meet local needs are coordinated and that limited resources are deployed efficiently in communities.

How to Apply for Services
• Step 1: Take the Am I Eligible Survey, at eligibility.ececd.state.nm.us.
• Step 2: Complete the five-minute survey to determine which programs you may qualify for.
• Step 3: Apply for services and request a referral by completing the Online Application.

How to Find Child Care
ECECD's Child Care Finder website can help your family find care that meets your unique needs. The Child Care Finder
allows parents and caregivers to search for one of the 1000+ childcare programs statewide, filtering by proximity, age of
child, quality rating, tuition, language, program type, and more. Childcare.ececd.nm.gov

Fundamentals is a 5 star full service early childhood learning and preschool center. We provide care and early learning for the youngest of learners. Fundamentals consists of 2 buildings, an Infant/Toddler House and our Preschool Center. Our Infant /Toddler house serves ages 6 weeks-30 months and our Preschool Center serves ages 30 months-5 years. We have two playground areas for each age group to explore, play, and learn in. We also have an outdoor classroom with a garden, construction zone, story area, music wall, art area, and mud kitchen. 

Fundamentals offers individualized programs for each of our little learners. Our approach is based on developmental skills and readiness instead of chronological age. As children are ready to transfer from one program to the next our staff will work closely with our families to create a successful transition.

• • Patron must present a library card in good standing to check out material.
• • Up to 10 items can be checked out.
• • Up to four (4) DVDs may be checked out at a time.
• • Books check out for 21 days.
• • DVDs check out for 7 days.

The Farmington Public Library provides print, media, and online resources as well as assistance with accessing and using these resources. The library also offers a wide variety of programs, classes, and services that promote reading, learning, and overall life enrichment.

Storytime:

Amplified Therapy is a family owned business that specializes in providing premier pediatric healthcare services to southwest New Mexico and eastern Arizona.  ATI is a NM FIT provider in Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and San Juan County.  ATI also provides services to rural school districts throughout the southwest region.  We are committed to providing the BEST services for children in our hometown communities.

PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES
The FIT Program partners with your family to understand your child’s strengths and needs. We recognize that you are the most important person in your child’s life. Your knowledge of your child will help guide the Early Intervention process.

If your child is eligible for services, you , your FSC and your Early Intervention provider(s) will work together to develop a plan of supports and services that are a good fit for your family. Your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will include goals, strategies and ideas that you can use every day to support your child’s learning and development.

• Protective Services
• Juvenile Justice Services
• Behavioral Health Services
• Early Childhood Services
• Adoption
• Counseling
• Day Care Subsidy
• Childcare Expense Assistance
• Information and Referral
• Foster Care

Families FIRST is a case management program of the New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, that provides perinatal case management to Medicaid eligible pregnant women and children 0-3 years old. See website for information about this program. Clients receive the following services:

-A case intake to ascertain the client’s eligibility and to gather information for the purposes of care coordination;
-Presumptive Eligibility and/or Medicaid On-Site Application Assistance;
-An assessment of the client’s medical/psychosocial strengths and risk factors;
-A plan of care that links clients with resources that address the problems/needs identified;
-Standardized health education and literature related to pregnancy, birth, newborn care and child development;
-Referrals to appropriate community resources;
-Monitoring and follow-up with clients to ensure that they receives the recommended services;
-A reassessment to evaluate the status of problems identified, and to identify additional areas of concern or risk.

It’s My Very Own (IMVO), a faith-based, voluntary organization, seeks to make kids’ lives a little brighter by working with communities to provide displaced children with Bags of Love that meet their immediate needs.

Each bag of love includes a handmade quilt, stuffed animal, toys, books, and personal items.  The bags are age appropriate and are delivered to the local agencies charged with removing children from unsafe homes.

Farmington Preschool Academy East enrolls students ages three to five who have a documented educational need for special education services.  These students have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with goals that are written in the area(s) in which s/he qualifies.  Peer students who model behavior and language also attend.  Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Our mission is to provide children and their families a safe, nurturing and fun learning environment that supports the whole child in developing the necessary skills to construct their own knowledge and be prepared for a successful transition to kindergarten.

Roundtree Children’s Developmental Services is a contract provider with the New Mexico Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program. The FIT Program provides supports and services to children who have or who are at risk for a developmental delay, and their families. The Roundtree team has 100+ years of combined experience working with children and families to enhance your child’s learning and development.

Throughout the years, the delivery of early intervention has evolved to family guided services supporting your child’s learning and development in their natural environment. Staff partner with families to develop goals and strategies that are easily integrated into the family’s daily routines.

• Head Start: To enroll in Presbyterian Medical Services’ Head Start center-based programming, children must turn 3 prior before August 31/September 1 of that academic year, and the maximum age is 5 years.
• Pre-K: Our Pre-K program consists of direct services to 4-year-old children who will attend kindergarten the following year, providing developmentally appropriate activities for parental involvement. New Mexico Pre-K is a voluntary program funded by the state of New Mexico. It is designed to increase access to high-quality pre-K programs, help children through developmentally appropriate services, and it focuses on academic readiness.

The Early Childhood Services Center Toy Lending & Resource Library allows parents and caregivers to borrow toys, educational materials, videos and books for FREE. All you need is an ID to borrow.

Several Home Visiting programs offered that will help parents through every stage of pregnancy and child rearing, prenatal through a child’s 5th birthday.

All MECA Therapies services can be conducted via in-person or telehealth visits

• Prenatal, postpartum and infant home visits
• Diet & nutrition education, stress management, baby supplies
• Safe sleep (preventing SIDS), child developmental screenings
• Improved Maternal and newborn health-community resources
• Counseling for postpartum recovery, family planning, & newborn needs, focused education for literacy and school preparedness for your child

Evaluation, case management, and therapy services for

• Speech and language delays and disorders
• Feeding and swallowing difficulties
• Physical delays
• Developmental delays
• Neurologic/neuromuscular conditions
• Sensory integration conditions
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Nursing services
• Families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Los Pasitos provides Early Intervention services to children ages birth to three years, that are at risk for, or that have a developmental delay or disability, get the support they need to reach their full potential. Los Pasitos partners with families to nurture and advocate for their child’s development through coaching and modeling in their natural environment so that parents and caregivers can shine while helping their child reach their full potential. Services include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Developmental Instruction, Family Counseling, and Transition to Preschool.

• Parent Education/Home Visiting: This Early Childhood Service is designed for parents and guardians of children from birth through 5 years of age. This includes adoptive parents and teen parents, as well as expectant parents. The goals are to provide educational services and child development guidance, to ensure babies are born healthy, and to keep children safe and sound. Children’s psychological, emotional, and mental health are all addressed and parents are taught how to nurture their children through community support to ensure children are ready for school. This program is built on the belief that a parent is their child’s first and most important teacher.

• Head Start: To enroll in Presbyterian Medical Services’ Head Start center-based programming, children must turn 3 prior before August 31/September 1 of that academic year, and the maximum age is 5 years.

  We are proud to announce that our location is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Early childhood program accredited by NAEYC Accreditation of Early Learning Programs have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study and continuous quality improvement.

   

NMPreK-P (CCS) Nizhoni Elementary is a (CCC) NM PreK in Shiprock NM. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 4 years old.

NMPreK-P (CCS) Mesa Elementary is a (CCC) NM PreK in Shiprock NM. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 4 years old.

• Early Head Start: This federally funded program promotes academic readiness by helping children through their social and cognitive development by employing educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services. The program also helps parents reach their full potential for their personal, educational, or vocational goals. Early Head Start is available to pregnant women and their children between the ages of 6 weeks and 3 years old.

• Early Head Start caters to families whose incomes are below the federal poverty line or receive governmental assistance (TANF or SSI). Those who are automatically eligible include children less than 3 years old who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness. Early Head Start creates opportunities for young parents and their very young children while guiding parents toward success for better economic security.

The Official WIC program is available to low to moderate income pregnant women, recently delivered women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Fathers can also bring their children to apply for WIC. You may apply for WIC if you are working or unemployed. This website was created for women looking for WIC information and locations. We are also working towards adding other locations and services that may help out women.

The Official WIC program is available to low to moderate income pregnant women, recently delivered women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Fathers can also bring their children to apply for WIC. You may apply for WIC if you are working or unemployed. . This website was created for women looking for WIC information and locations. We are also working towards adding other locations and services that may help out women.

• The Navajo Nation Growing In Beauty program (GIB) meets the needs of Navajo children with delays or disabilities from birth to five years of age while honoring the unique culture and language of the Navajo people. Receiving and processing referrals from pediatricians, health care professionals, and other service providers.Types of service that may be provided are based on needs and preference outlined by the individualized plans. These plans may include the following: service coordination, linkage to other services for family needs, vision and hearing services, specialized instruction or special education, nutrition services, diagnostic evaluations, family training, counseling, and advocacy, other family support and respite services, occupational and physical therapy, speech and language therapy, diagnostic evaluations and developmental assessments, assistive technology, education on independent living, and transportation services.

The primary purpose of the Child & Family Development Center (CFDC) on the campus of San Juan College (SJC) is to serve as a laboratory school for early childhood, nursing, psychology, dental and sociology students at the College. Practicum students in early childhood education courses are part of the Center staff each semester. They are supervised by qualified teachers to plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities for young children.

The secondary purpose of the CFDC is to provide child care and early education services. The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC accreditation recognizes programs that comply with nationally recognized criteria for high-quality early childhood programs. The CFDC is licensed by the State of New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department.

The Imagination Station, located in Bloomfield, NM, is a childcare facility that supervises and cares for children. Daycare services support parents and guardians by caring for children too young to be left alone, most often children too young to attend school or school-aged children that require before or after school care.Imagination Station Preschool (EMERG OPEN) is a Child Care Center in Bloomfield NM, with a maximum capacity of 30 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of Infant, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-12 years old.

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NMPreK-P Lydia Rippey Elementary School is a (CCC) NM PreK in Aztec NM. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 4 years old. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

We provide a full service daycare and family support, helping to create an imagination full of dreams. Our goal is to educate future leaders that will flourish in our communities; all of this in a safe, fun and loving environment.

The Love The Children Learning Center, located in Bloomfield, NM, is a childcare facility that supervises and cares for children. Daycare services support parents and guardians by caring for children too young to be left alone, most often children too young to attend school or school-aged children that require before or after school care.

NMPreK-P McCoy Elementary School is a (CCC) NM PreK in Aztec NM. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 4 years old. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

The Department’s aim is to create a more cohesive, equitable, and effective early childhood system in New Mexico. That means coordinating a continuum of programs from prenatal to five—and ensuring that families in every corner of the state can access the services they need. This work is informed by New Mexico’s Birth-Five Needs Assessment (Spanish version here) and the related Native American Perspectives report, which include feedback from thousands of New Mexicans.

The Department also oversees child care programs—as well as food and nutrition programs—that serve older children and families.

VISION: All New Mexico families ​and young children are thriving​

MISSION: Optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers through a family-driven, equitable, community-based system of high-quality prenatal and early childhood programs and services.

Licensed Accredited Star 5 Child Care Center serving 160 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. State of NM Early Childhood Education and Care Department grant recipient to provide FREE NM Early (3 year old) PreK and FREE NM PreK (4 year old) Full day programs.  Locally owned and operated for over 21 years.  

Northwest New Mexico First Born provides free home visiting services for families having their first child. We serve all of San Juan and McKinley counties. We work with families to share education, support and help with resources that are needed by families. We complete screenings to determine the physical, emotional and social development of the child and family. We work on a strengths based and relationship based premise to help families be the best they can be.

Our curriculum promotes academic readiness for a smooth transition into the public school system’s learning environment. We provide activities that encourage readiness across the educational spectrum. Children get reading and language development based on the UNM TTAP 3 Star Guidelines, and they get an early start on STEM skills with an age-appropriate curriculum in mathematics, scientific discovery, technology, and computers. Various activities with different arts and craft media encourage the children’s creativity and imagination.

A well-rounded academic approach develops an appreciation for many things in life, such as music, arts, theatre, and science. We introduce the children to each of these areas so their understanding can grow with them into adulthood. Activities such as show and tell, interaction with the seniors in the area, and Library Day at the public library all promote this growth. We take many field trips throughout the year to places like the Aztec Ruins, the E3 Science Museum, and the Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife, to name a few.

We have 4 classrooms at our center that are split up by age. Classroom #1 serves ages 3-4, Classroom # 2 serves ages 2-3, Classroom #3 is our Pre-K class with ages 4-5 who will be attending kindergarten for the upcoming school year, and our Afternoon Adventures (Latch Key Program) with ages 5-12 years. Weekly lesson plans are created on classroom interest, TTAP 3 Star guidelines, and individual and overall classroom development needs.

Locally owned and operated 5 STAR Accredited licensed child care center.  Serving children ages 6 weeks - 5 years old.  State of NM Early Childhood Education and Care Department NM Early (3 year old) PreK and NM PreK (4 year old)

It is important to have our children develop good traits and habits at an early age. Entrust your child to the excellent child care program of Child Care Castle Preschool & Early Learning Center. We are a licensed preschool in Farmington, NM devoted to your child’s welfare. Let your little one grow up under the guidance of caring and skilled child care providers.Experience or Training in Special Needs, Program has strong commitment to inclusion;

Medical Services designs and delivers quality accessible integrated health, education, and human services in response to identified community needs of the multi-cultural people of the Southwest. Infant, 1, 2, 3 years old Outdoor play area fenced; Special Needs: Program has strong commitment to inclusion;

The program is a comprehensive child development program that serves income eligible children. Early Head start serves children from birth to age three and Head Start Serves children three to five years, and their families. It is child-focused and has the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children. Children receive educational, nutritional, health, dental, and other supportive services.

Little Feet Early Head Start is a (CCC) Head Start in Farmington NM. This child care center helps with children in the age range of Infant, 1, 2 years old. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) has a long standing history in the Tularosa Basin. The school district is the second largest employer in Otero County, with nearly 800 employees. Alamogordo Public Schools is governed by a 5-member elected school board that sets policy and approves the annual budget. Operations of the district are overseen by the APS Superintendent.

There are more than 5,600 students in the district enrolled in two high schools, three middle schools, nine elementary schools, and two preschool programs. More than 1,000 of these students are dependents of active duty service members and an additional 10-12% are considered to be "military connected."

Students from Alamogordo, High Rolls, La Luz, and Holloman AFB are provided educational services via Alamogordo Public Schools.

PRESCHOOL

• Stepping Stones Preschool
• Holloman Elementary

ELEMENTARY

• Buena Vista Elementary
• Desert Star Elementary
• High Rolls Mountain Park Elementary
• Holloman Elementary
• La Luz Elementary
• North Elementary
• Sierra Elementary
• Sunset Hills Elementary
• Yucca Elementary

MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Chaparral Middle School

• Holloman Middle School 
• Mountain View Middle School 

HIGH SCHOOL

• Alamogordo High School

Serving the Youth of New Mexico and Their Families since 1903

The New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired was founded in 1903 as a land grant school governed by a Board of Regents. Three years later, the school opened its doors in Alamogordo, New Mexico with 21 students, two teachers and a superintendent. It is a specialized school which provides residential, academic, support, and outreach services to the students who are blind and visually impaired in New Mexico. Today, the residential campus is still located on the original site in Alamogordo with a second campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico that houses an Early Childhood Program and as well as the school’s statewide services.

Mission Statement:

NMSBVI, an innovative leader and unifying entity in the field of educating students birth-high school who are blind or visually impaired, will identify and ensure quality education through collaborative relationships with students, families, and local/ state/national partners to provide outstanding advocacy, training, resources, and support services, thus ensuring that all students who are blind or visually impaired will become independent, productive members of their communities.

Birth to 3

The New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NMSBVI) provides statewide direct services to families of young children who have a diagnosed visual impairment or who are considered to be at risk for receiving a VI diagnosis. Services are a partnership with NMSBVI, New Mexico’s Family, Infant, Toddler Program (FIT) and the Navajo Nation; all children are served by IFSP team decision. Services are delivered in the family home or in another community environment that supports the child and his/her family.

Who should be referred to NMSBVI?

• Any child between the ages of birth and three years old:
• Any child who has been diagnosed with a vision impairment
• Any child who has an established condition that places them at risk for vision impairment; Established conditions can include but are not limited to: prematurity, syndromes, a family history of visual impairment, or traumatic events such as oxygen deprivation, meningitis, or shaken baby syndrome
• Any child whose family or team is concerned about some aspect of the child’s vision
• Any child whose results on the New Mexico Vision Screening Tool indicate need for referral.

Who can make a referral to NMSBVI?

Anyone who has concerns about a child’s vision can, with the family’s permission, make a referral. Referrals can be made by calling 1-800-437-3505, extension 3066 or by calling the Developmental Vision Specialist responsible for an agency’s referrals. (Please see attached list of contacts by area of the state). List of specialists

What happens after a referral is made?

Within 48 hours of receiving a referral, a developmental vision specialist from NMSBVI will contact the family. An initial functional vision evaluation will be completed; eligibility will be determined and, in conjunction with the family and the child’s team, services will be outlined if recommended.

What services are available from NMSBVI for infants and toddlers?

• Consultation to the family and/or community service providers, therapists, etc.
• Direct services to the child and family;
• Functional Vision Evaluations;
• Developmental intervention strategies to support the development of visual/compensatory visual skills;
• Information about blindness/visual impairment;
• Referral and resource information for families;
• Consultation/participation in agency assessments;
• Participation in IFSP and other team meetings;
• Orientation and Mobility Evaluations;
• Orientation and Mobility Services for children and families;
• Orientation and Mobility Consultation and Training for Teams and Agencies;
• Transition support from birth to three to preschool programs;
• Parent support; and
• Training for child-specific teams as well as for organizations seeking additional knowledge about vision and its impact on development.

NMSBVI is committed to providing a comprehensive program of developmental, educational, training and support services to infants and toddlers who are blind or visually impaired or those who are at risk for visual impairment. NMSBVI’s developmental vision specialists are trained as teachers of the visually impaired and/or as orientation and mobility specialists. They have specialized skills in the field of early childhood that encompass the developmental domains of young children. NMSBVI’s services do not replace, but supplement other specialized services in the community. Services are available state-wide; each child is served in his/her natural environment.

Preschool

Welcome to the Early Childhood Program (ECP)

The academic program for Preschool and Kindergarten consists of literacy (print and Braille), math, concept development, socialization and all aspects of the expanded core curriculum for blindness. Students are encouraged to explore and to become familiar with their immediate environment; then expand outward to travel successfully into new and unfamiliar areas. Guided exploration and self-discovery are used to support learning at every level. All children are placed in the preschool programs by IEP team decision because they require daily support from a teacher of the visually impaired

The Preschool and Kindergarten Program offers additional services to students who qualify. These services include:
Classroom instruction from Teachers of the Visually Impaired
Orientation and Mobility instruction
Speech-Language Therapy
Physical Therapy
Occupation Therapy
Nursing
Social Work
Audiology
Transportation

School Age

The Mescalero Apache Early Childhood Program (MAECP) has two programs:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B

Early Intervention supports and services include:

Family supports such as:

Our services may be provided in homes, childcare center, Early Head Start programs or other early childhood settings.

Part B is funded by the IDEA through the Bureau of Indian Education and is for children three to five; these early intervention services are provided in the early childhood settings. 

We also provide summer sessions for early literacy and numeracy classes for these children and we work in cooperation with other agencies to sponsor the Annual Mescalero Child Find.