Program areas at UWSFC
The pre-k program is the primary vehicle through which Growing Up New Mexico accomplishes its goal of kindergarten readiness. The early learning center at kaune is five-star accredited by the national association for the education of young children (naeyc). Our goal is to provide affordable high-quality full-day/full-year, dual language childcare and state funded pre-k for working families. Growing Up New Mexico has three licensed pre-k classrooms and three licensed early pre-k classrooms, with the capacity to serve 54 four-year-olds and 48 three-year-olds. To expand child care services to younger children including infants and toddlers, in 2023 we remodeled three classrooms to provide full-day, full- year care for children, six weeks to three years of age. The first toddler classroom opened in may 2023, the second toddler room opened in january 2024. A pilot program in supporting home-based child care givers throughout the state of New Mexico expanded significantly.
The home visiting program serves families with children prenatal to three years old in santa fe and rio arriba counties and incorporates the first born program created by vicki johnson in silver city, New Mexico. The program is founded on the belief that a resilient family, beginning with a healthy low-risk pregnancy, is the most effective and efficient approach for building a healthy and competent society. Weekly home visitation services may begin any time during pregnancy or right after the birth of a child and continue until the child(ren) are 3 years of age.
Early childhood policy and advocacy (formerly nmecdp)- Growing Up New Mexico is working on big, structural change to improve the lives of kids and families throughout New Mexico. We listen to the voices in our communities - policy makers and parents who share their aspirations and trust us to put them into action. This work involves identifying viable sources and strategies for increased public funding and then creating and supporting the necessary legislation and public policy to secure these funds in perpetuity. Not only are we educating and caring for young children, but we're also working to increase wages for professionals in a system that has historically undervalued and underpaid women, especially women of color. We're working on making big strides toward improving child and family well-being and manifesting our shared goal of giving New Mexico's children and their families the opportunities they need to succeed. Thriving working families are a cornerstone for strong economic development and growth in every community.
Great start family support home visiting program - the program provides three home visits to all interested parents and their New babies within the first 30 days post birth. The visits focus on supporting successful breastfeeding, screening for postpartum depression, and ensuring connection with necessary community resources. The goals of the program include an increase in breastfeeding, increase in parent confidence, and reduction of infant re-admission to the hospital within the first 30 days postpartum. Expenses 150,179 including grants of 0 revenue 0 family friends and neighbors program (ffn) supports home-based childcare providers by increasing knowledge of child development and early learning, thereby resulting in increased social, emotional, and academic success for children being cared for in home-based settings. Expenses 128,514 including grants of 0 revenue 0 dolly parton's imagination library program - this program is administered by Growing Up New Mexico and is funded primarily by santa fe county and southwest New Mexico council of governments. It is an early literacy program that sends each enrolled child an age-appropriate book every month, from birth to age five. Growing Up New Mexico utilizes additional funding sources for spanish versions of these books. Expenses 102,460 including grants of 0 revenue 0 bridges to opportunity - in partnership with christus st. vincent regional medical center, anchorum st. vincent, santa fe county and the city of santa fe, bridges to opportunity provides short- and long- term support with one-on-one coaching for families with young children prenatal to five. Our coaches address immediate needs like emergency aid, food, transportation, housing and utility insecurity, childcare, and mental health services. Once these issues have been identified and addressed, a family can elect to receive multi-generational or "whole family" coaching to aid in setting and reaching self-identified goals in one or more of the following areas: social capital, early childhood education, post-secondary and employment pathways, economic assets, health and well-being. Expenses 480,224 including grants of 0 revenue 0