HELP-NM enrollment in full swing for early childhood families in Deming and Columbus, NM

Deming Headlight - 6/27/2019

Jun. 26--DEMING -- Enrollment is in full swing for early childhood education programs through HELP-NM in Deming and Columbus, NM.

Through the Office of Learning and Academic Opportunity, HELP-NM is once again providing free quality programs for pregnant women, infants toddlers and preschoolers at no cost.

HELP-New Mexico (the Office of Learning and Academic Opportunity) was founded in 1965 as HELP-NM by a coalition of pastors, farm workers, ranchers, business owners, and government workers. The non-profit organization provides a range of grant-funded social services for education, food assistance, and job training, for young children, farm workers, and senior citizens.

Their Deming office is at 310 Olive Street. Crystal Pena is a area coordinator.

The program is now offering enrollment to one of six preschools in Deming and Luna County. The program offers active learning experiences, nutritional snack and meals, nurturing qualified teachers, parent engagement activities, family health services, services to children with special needs and prenatal education.

Programs are available for infants, toddlers, pregnant women and preschoolers. Applications are accepted regardless of race, age, sex, creed, color, national origin or disability in accordance with ADA and USDA regulations.

--Deming Area Office, 310 E. Olive St. Call 546-7414

--Rainbow Head-Start, 1800 S. Copper St. Call 544-3821

--Columbus, 500 Taft St. Call 575-531-2599

--Family Resource Center, 500 E. Oak St. Call 544-8312

--Deming, 306 S. Copper St. Call 546-4229

--McPherson, 720 S. Nickel St. Call 544-2992

--TLC-Deming, 2150 E. Pine St. Call 546-9490.

--My Little School, 905 S. Zinc St.

--Ruben S. Torres Elementary School, 1910 Eighth St.

Comprehensive services are delivered in a learning environment that is individualized to support children's growth in the essential domains of the New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines.

The program is responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage.

For more information, call 575-546-7414.

Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (ext. 2606) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.

Readiness program

According to helpnm.com/lunacounty/ the school readiness program for children and families includes:

--Education

--Screenings and Follow-up for health, development and behavior

--Health and safety --Social and emotional health

--Nutrition

--Family goal-setting

--Family engagement/advocacy and decision-making

--Social services