STUDENT PARENT GUIDE
Family Support & Resources
Explore resources for child care, financial support, health, and more to help New Mexico’s student parents balance school and family life.
STUDENT PARENT GUIDE
Family Support & Resources
Explore resources for child care, financial support, health, and more to help New Mexico’s student parents balance school and family life.
Support & Resources
Navigating Together
There are many community organizations and state programs available to support New Mexico’s families. We have listed a few resources below, but there are many more!
Family and Child Resources
Child Care Resources
New Mexico Student Parent Alliance‘s Child Care Resources page offers comprehensive guidance to help student parents find quality child care while attending school or working. Explore various child care options, learn about eligibility and financial assistance programs.
Child Find
Child Find is a program that provides evaluations for children ages three to five who are suspected of having developmental delays or a disability through the public schools. Contact your local public school for information about scheduling a screening and to learn more.
Family Infant Toddler Program (FIT)
Family Infant Toddler Program (FIT) is a statewide effort in New Mexico that provides early intervention services to young children 0-3 years old with a developmental delay or who may be at risk for developmental delays. You can also talk to your pediatrician or child care provider about a FIT referral.
School age developmental support: If your child is in K-12 education, including public charter schools, and you believe they have developmental needs, you can speak to their teacher or principal to request an evaluation. You can also speak with your child’s primary care doctor for a referral to assessments or services, such as an assessment for autism.
Home Visiting
Home Visiting programs offer parenting support for families prenatal to age 5. These programs offer one-on-one support for parents and children as they learn about child development, parenting resources, and how to connect with your children. It’s a parenting coach for free! Most communities in New Mexico have a few different home visiting programs, so you can find the program that is right for you and your family.
Moments Together
Find easy tips and free resources for New Mexican families who are pregnant or have young children, ages 0-5. Explore activities, parenting advice, and support tools designed to strengthen family bonds and promote early childhood development.
New Mexico Kids
This website is a one-stop shop for New Mexican families. Information on child care, home visiting, early intervention, tips for families, and more! They even have Toy Lending Libraries across the state where you can borrow toys for free!
Share NM
This is an online resource directory for New Mexico, hosting the state’s largest and most up-to-date collection of community resources and social services. From child care to senior services, education to housing, you can search by location and keywords to quickly find the support you need in your area.
Vroom
Access free brain-building tips through an easy-to-use app or by texting. Discover fun, science-backed activities to help your child’s brain grow, along with printable resources to support learning and development.
Family and Child Resources
Childcare Resources
New Mexico Student Parent Alliance‘s Childcare Resources page offers comprehensive guidance to help student parents find quality childcare while attending school or working. Explore various childcare options, learn about eligibility and financial assistance programs.
Child Find
Child Find is a program that provides evaluations for children ages three to five who are suspected of having developmental delays or a disability through the public schools. Contact your local public school for information about scheduling a screening and to learn more.
Family Infant Toddler Program (FIT)
Family Infant Toddler Program (FIT)
is a statewide effort in New Mexico that provides early intervention services to young children 0-3 years old
with a developmental delay or who may be at risk for developmental delays. You can also talk to your pediatrician
or childcare provider about a FIT referral.
School age developmental support: If your child is in K-12 education, including public charter schools, and you believe they have developmental needs, you can speak to their teacher or principal to request an evaluation. You can also speak with your child’s primary care doctor for a referral to assessments or services, such as an assessment for autism.
+ Read More
Home Visiting
Home Visiting programs offer parenting support for families prenatal to age 5. These programs offer one-on-one support for parents and children as they learn about child development, parenting resources, and how to connect with your children. It’s a parenting coach for free! Most communities in New Mexico have a few different home visiting programs, so you can find the program that is right for you and your family.
Moments Together
Find easy tips and free resources for New Mexican families who are pregnant or have young children, ages 0-5. Explore activities, parenting advice, and support tools designed to strengthen family bonds and promote early childhood development.
New Mexico Kids
This website is a one-stop shop for New Mexican families. Information on childcare, home visiting, early intervention, tips for families, and more! They even have Toy Lending Libraries across the state where you can borrow toys for free!
Share NM
This is an online resource directory for New Mexico, hosting the state’s largest and most up-to-date collection of community resources and social services. From child care to senior services, education to housing, you can search by location and keywords to quickly find the support you need in your area.
Vroom
Access free brain-building tips through an easy-to-use app or by texting. Discover fun, science-backed activities to help your child’s brain grow, along with printable resources to support learning and development.
Financial Resources
There are many available assistance programs to help with household expenses while balancing school priorities. Many families who qualify for one program will also qualify for additional programs.
Yes New Mexico
The New Mexico Human Services Department has a one-stop shop to get started with the programs below, including child support.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash benefits for housing, utilities, and clothing for families who quality.
Utility Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households pay for heating and cooling costs/utilities.
Emergency Assistance
Many colleges have emergency funds for students so that they can continue with their education when an emergency or unexpected cost arises. Contact your college’s student services department to find out if they have support available.
Financial Resources
There are many available assistance programs to help with household expenses while balancing school priorities. Many families who qualify for one program, will also qualify for additional programs.
Yes New Mexico
The New Mexico Human Services Department has a one-stop shop to get started with the programs below, including child support.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash benefits for housing, utilities, and clothing for families who quality.
Utility Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households pay for heating and cooling costs/utilities.
Emergency Assistance
Many colleges have emergency funds for students so that they can continue with their education when an emergency or unexpected cost arises. Contact your college’s student services department to find out if they have support available.
Food and Nutrition
Women Infants and Children (WIC)
Women Infants and Children (WIC) helps with nutrition and food benefits and many other services for women and children.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly support for food for your household for families who qualify.
Local Food Pantries
There are many local food pantries, and your college may even have one on campus. RoadRunner Food Bank and The Food Depot also have maps with search functions that list pantries across the state.
Food and Nutrition
Women Infants and Children (WIC)
Women Infants and Children (WIC) helps with nutrition and food benefits and many other services for women and children.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly support for food for your household for families who qualify.
Local Food Pantries
There are many local food pantries, and your college may even have one on campus. RoadRunner Food Bank and The Food Depot also have maps with search functions that list pantries across the state.
Health and Wellbeing
Medical & Health
Information about Medicaid and behavioral health services. New Mexico’s Medical & Health programs are designed with your good health in mind. Some provide direct services. Others, like Medicaid, are insurance that pay for services.
BeWell New Mexico Health Insurance Marketplace
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you still may qualify for subsidies that cover most or all of the cost for health insurance premiums for plans purchase through the New Mexico health insurance exchange. For help understanding your options, you can use the website to schedule an appointment with certified assisters.
Mental Health Resources
Information about mental health services across eastern New Mexico. Mental Health Resources (MHR) provides comprehensive mental health and substance use services.
Psychology Today
By law, New Mexico health insurance plans are required to cover 100% of behavioral health services, without copays or deductibles. Look for counseling services at your college or find a local therapist who accepts your insurance plan on the Psychology Today website.
988LifeLine
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, includes options for calling, text, chat, and deaf/HoH services.
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is a 24/7 hotline when you just need someone to talk to. There is also a peer to peer line.
Health and Wellbeing
Medical & Health
Information about Medicaid and behavioral health services. New Mexico’s Medical & Health programs are designed with your good health in mind. Some provide direct services. Others, like Medicaid, are insurance that pay for services.
BeWell New Mexico Health Insurance Marketplace
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you still may qualify for subsidies that cover most or all of the cost for health insurance premiums for plans purchase through the New Mexico health insurance exchange. For help understanding your options, you can use the website to schedule an appointment with certified assisters.
Mental Health Resources
Information about mental health services across eastern New Mexico. Mental Health Resources (MHR) provides comprehensive mental health and substance use services.
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is a 24/7 hotline when you just need someone to talk to. There is also a peer to peer line.
988LifeLine
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, includes options for calling, text, chat, and deaf/HoH services.
Psychology Today
By law, New Mexico health insurance plans are required to cover 100% of behavioral health services, without copays or deductibles. Look for counseling services at your college or find a local therapist on the Psychology Today website.