Programs for Prenatal
Pre-k
Programs
Early Head Start/Head Start
MISSION
To prepare children for school while providing families access to community resources and comprehensive support services to ensure their children’s success.
WHY IS THIS PROGRAM IMPORTANT?
Early Head Start/Head Start is a federally funded program that prepares America’s most vulnerable children to succeed in school and beyond. Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way.
Because the program focuses on the family as a whole, children receive early screenings which may lead to early identification of developmental delays, lead poisoning, and dental, health care, and mental health service needs. The program also provides nutritious meals to children and referrals to community resources for families.
WHO / WHAT AGE GROUPS IT’S FOR:
Early Head Start has two options:
The Home Based program serves children prenatal to 3 and is available for working or non-working families.
Center Based programs serve children 6 weeks to 3 years old and are designed for working families.
Both options support families to transition to Center Based Head Start when age appropriate, or for those in Home Based to transition to Center Based Early Head Start when needed for working purposes.
Head Start provides preschool services for 3- and 4-year-old children in a Center Based model
How can I access this service?
Families access services through an income-based application process. Find a NM Head Start location.
Children who have disabilities, are living under foster/kinship care, are receiving Survivor SSI benefits, are experiencing homelessness, or who face other risk factors have priority.
What (if anything) it costs:
No cost.
Helpful links:
- Head Start Needs Assessment
- Head Start Program Locator, What’s New, Resources
- New Mexico Head Start State Collaboration Office Needs Assessment 2021
- Early Head Start/Head Start: Homelessness Resources
Video Series:
- Opioid and Substance Misuse -Video 1
- Opioid and Substance Misuse -Video 2
- Opioid and Substance Misuse -Video 3
In partnership with the New Mexico Head Start Association, the Bernalillo Health Council and the New Mexico Head Start State Collaboration Office is releasing a series of videos addressing opioid and substance misuse in communities. An additional series of videos will soon be available in Spanish. Funding for the videos was awarded by the American Academy of Pediatrics on behalf of the Office of Head Start.
Families FIRST Program
MISSION:
Families FIRST is a program within the Public Health Division which provides case management services. Our mission is to promote health and wellness, improve health outcomes, and assure safety net services for all people of New Mexico.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:
The program 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.
WHO / WHAT AGE GROUPS IT’S FOR:
Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and children 0–3 years.
How to Access the Service:
Providers are welcome to refer any family that they feel would benefit from Families FIRST services. Families First partners with programs including Women Infants & Children Program (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Text4baby.
Contact Families FIRST representatives at 1-877-842-4152.
What (if anything) it costs:
No cost.
Helpful links:
-
Families First Brochure: English︱Spanish
Brochure includes clinic locations and regional contact information.
Home Visiting
Mission:
Supporting New Mexico families to raise healthy, happy, successful children.
Why it’s important:
New Mexico provides a coordinated continuum of high-quality, community-driven, culturally and linguistically appropriate home visiting services that promote maternal, infant, and early childhood health, safety, development, and strong parent-child relationships. Home Visiting helps families to:
- Gain knowledge regarding child development
- Connect with community support services
- Discover ways to support learning through play and interactions
- Receive emotional support through challenges associated with raising a child
- Access support to get out of dangerous or unhealthy situations
Who / what age groups it’s for:
Families with children prenatal through the first 5 years
How people can access the service:
Families interested in services can reach out directly to their local home visiting program to enroll. Contact information for local home visiting programs can be found on the New Mexico Kids website.
What (if anything) it costs:
No cost