BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT FAMILIES

Life is essential for families to thrive. When a mother chooses life, no matter her situation, she not only chooses to give literal life to her baby, she chooses a culture of life that will stay with her and her family for generations to come. In today's society, choosing life can be scary especially when that little life was unplanned and unprepared for. The resources listed below are here for you to face the unknown future with confidence and community. From free state resources available to families all the way to communities of trained professionals who will be by your side every step of the way, you'll find the support you need to cultivate a culture of life for your family.  We're glad you are here!

LINKS AND RESOURCES

ADOPTION / FOSTERING ASSISTANCE

Knowing life options
Choosing what's best for you and your child can be overwhelming. Adoption / Child Placement and Foster-Care Agencies provide full support services in counseling, education, and supervision to: foster families, parents with a crisis pregnancy or who are considering a foster or adoption plan for their child, prospective adoptive parents and adoptees. Most provide services state-wide and can include birthing support, housing options, access to a caseworker, and complete confidentiality. Click below for a list of agencies that can provide the support you need.
CONNECT WITH AN AGENCY

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

MEDICAL COVERAGE
Did you know that pregnant women with household incomes up to 255% of poverty qualify for Pregnancy related Medicaid coverage. And postpartum coverage now extends for a year after the baby is born, instead of ending after 60 days. Children are also eligible for CHIP from ages 0-18.
PREGNANCY CENTERS
Pregnancy Centers across New Mexico exist to nurture Mom, baby, and yes, Dad too! Many Pregnancy centers offer ultrasounds,  medical care and free resources for the family. Whatever your need,  your pregnancy center will be a community of unwavering support before, during, and after birth.

More information to come...

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Affordable Rental Properties.
Apartment homes and rental properties are called “affordable” when residents are required to meet certain income criteria in order to live at the property and when rental rates are set at or below the average rate for similar properties in the area. Income criteria and rental rate guidelines are updated each year by the federal government for each county in New Mexico. Contact a property near you to learn income criteria and apply for your new living space today!
Subsidized Rental Properties
Apartment homes and rental properties are called “subsidized” when the property owner receives government assistance to help pay a portion of the rent charged for each unit. This assistance allows the owner to reduce the amount of rent charged for each unit so that it does not exceed 30 percent of the household’s income after any qualifying adjustment to reduce total income. A list of subsidized apartment communities are listed by city on the link below.
Subsidized Rental Properties
Domestic Violence and Abuse survivors need a safe place to regain confidence, and overcome fearful relationships.
Begin your journey to thriving by seeking shelter in a safe and protected environment.
Below is a link to a list of agencies that provide shelter from domestic violence.

If you need help, please contact one of these agencies directly.

NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE

WIC
The New Mexico Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is a federally funded program. It provides FREE healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals. These are for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants birth to 1 year, and children from 1-5 years of age.

Learn About WIC          How to Apply for WIC          Are you eligible?
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides financial assistance to eligible New Mexicans with low income and limited resources to purchase food products. SNAP benefits are simple to use to purchase qualifying food products at participating grocery stores.

About SNAP      Income Eligibility Guidelines
FOOD BANKS
The New Mexico Association of Food Banks (the Association) is a collaboration of five New Mexico food banks, providing food to our neighbors in need.  Food is distributed by each member food bank through a statewide network of hunger relief locations impacting every county in the state.
SUMMER FOOD PROGRAMS
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides financial assistance to eligible New Mexicans with low income and limited resources to purchase food products. SNAP benefits are simple to use to purchase qualifying food products at participating grocery stores.

About SNAP      Income Eligibility Guidelines
FIND A FOOD SITE NEAR ME
NM Early Childhood Education & Care Department

Early Childhood Education & Care Programs

The ECECD provides Family programs to 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.Check out the NMECECD programs below.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

HOME VISITING
Home visiting is a relationship-based program for  families who are pregnant or have children under age five. It is FREE for all New Mexico families regardless of income. Home visitors come to see you in the convenience of your home or via remote telehealth sessions. From tips to help your baby sleep safely, to breastfeeding and nutrition support, to your self-care, finding child care, preparing for school, and more. You don’t have to do it alone!  

What Home Visitors do:

They share what you can expect as your child grows, and help you prepare for all their firsts.
They help boost your confidence as a parent and build skills.
They’re there to answer questions and share information to help you care for yourself and your child.
They can connect you with family-focused resources, programs, and   supportive relationships within your community.
They offer support, listen to your needs, and serve as your trusted partner.  
How to Apply: First, find a home visitor near you using the link below. Then, email or call the program in your county. Each program is independently run, with a quick call you can find out how to get connected.  
For Questions about Home Visiting, call:   1-800-832-1321
FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM
Families FIRST offers a go-to support system during pregnancy, infancy, and throughout the first three years of a child’s life for Medicaid-eligible families in New Mexico.

Nurses on staff are just a   phone call away to provide education, resources, and friendly advice on pregnancy, health, nutrition, and nurturing.
A healthy start early in life provides a foundation for a lifetime of positive growth, learning, and   relationships.    
Learn More in Española

NO COST / LOW-COST CHILD CARE

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Child Care Assistance Program minimizes the   cost of child care for families who are at or below 400% of the federal   poverty level that are working, in school, or searching for employment. The   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable child care as no more than 7% of a family’s annual income. To date, no other state has enacted a child care support program that provides no-cost care to such a broad economic demographic.    

Apply for Service


NM PRE-K
New Mexico PreK (NM PreK) is a free program during the school year that delivers high-quality education in both community-based and school-based settings. NM PreK focuses on providing a fun, rewarding, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children ages 3 and 4.  

NM PreK teachers plan play-based activities and lessons oriented towards children’s physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional stages of development. NM PreK program standards meet nine out ten National Institute of Early Education Research (NIEER) benchmarks for preschool quality (one of only seven states to meet those benchmarks).

Each PreK provider sets its own application processes, registration deadlines, and selection criteria. Some may include lotteries, wait lists, and other processes to accept students. Options include private faith-based institutions. Find an NM PreK Provider near you using the link below, then contact them directly to learn more.
FAMILIES INFANTS TODDLERS (FIT)
This is some text inside of a div block.  The FIT Program is a FREE statewide program that   provides early intervention services to infants and toddlers, ages birth to   three, who have a developmental delay or who may be at risk for developmental   delays, and their families.    

Here’s how it works:1.
ioCall the Referral helpline, 1-800-691-9067, & ask about FIT.2. Meet in person with your local FIT program.3. A FIT specialist will perform a 2 – 3 hour development evaluation of your child to assess your child’s needs.4. After confirmation that the program is right for your child, you’ll be connected with a specialist. They’ll help you work on goals and share ideas and tips to support your child’s growth.

COLLEGE ASSISTANCE

TUITION FREE COLLEGE
With the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery   Scholarships, there are options for New Mexicans to pursue college and career  training without worrying about the cost of tuition and fees.

i'M READY TO GET STARTED!
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
The Opportunity Scholarship makes it possible for you to pursue a college degree or career training certificate, even if you are starting college for the first time later in life, or going back after many years. Whether you enroll part time or full time, the Opportunity Scholarship can help you achieve your educational and career goals.
I'M OLDER AND WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE
LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP
The Lottery Scholarship, New Mexico’s first tuition-free college program, covers 100% of tuition for recent New Mexico high school graduates.



I'M A RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
Student Incentive Grant Program
The New Mexico Student Incentive Grant is for resident undergraduate students with substantial financial need who are attending a New Mexico public college or university or tribal college.  The grant (an award ranging from $200 - $2500) is for a period of one year and may be renewed on an annual basis or until the student graduates with a bachelor’s degree from an eligible institution.
i'M READY TO GET STARTED!
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

I'M OLDER AND WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE