ECECD Early Childhood Community Newsletter: Monday, April 28, 2025
What's Inside: ECECD Leadership Updates, plus more!
The full-text version of the ECECD Early Childhood Community Newsletter is available on the ECECD website here . La versión completa del Boletín semanal sobre el cuidado de los niños está disponible en el sitio web del ECECD aquí .
Featured Story
ECECD Leadership Updates: Communications Director + Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Education and Care
Sonya Martinez Appointed Communications Director
Please join us in celebrating Sonya Martinez on her appointment as Communications Director for ECECD! A proud Santa Fe native, Sonya brings nearly 20 years of experience in design, outreach, and strategic communications. Since joining ECECD, she has served as Deputy Communications Director, Communications Manager, and Social and Web Coordinator — strengthening the agency’s brand and engagement through creative, community-centered storytelling. Sonya is passionate about uplifting New Mexico’s families and advancing early childhood equity across the state. We are excited for her continued leadership in service to our early childhood community!
Welcome Dr. Michelle Tsosie, Deputy Assistant Secretary
We’re also excited to welcome Dr. Michelle Tsosie as ECECD’s new Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Education and Care. Dr. Tsosie has over 23 years of experience supporting early childhood and Tribal programs, specializing in Indigenous language revitalization and culturally grounded education. She is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation and also belongs to the Seminole Nation and Mississippi Choctaw tribes. Michelle’s deep commitment to preserving Indigenous language and culture will strengthen our partnerships with New Mexico’s Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations as we work together to support young children and families.
April 28, 2025
What's Inside?
1. Reminders/Announcements
2. Events
3. Professional Development
5. Boletín en Español
Reminders/Announcements
Thank You for Participating in the Family Engagement Survey
ECECD would like to give a huge thank you to the partners, colleagues, and participants across New Mexico who shared the ECECD Family Engagement and Satisfaction Survey this year! Your dedication continues to help inform systems to provide the best possible outcomes for young children and families in New Mexico.
Please note that any outstanding gift cards will be sent out by the end of this week, May 2, 2025.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to echoNMECSurvey@salud.unm.edu .
Become a Certified Home Visitor and Support New Mexico Families
Are you passionate about supporting families with young children (prenatal to 5 years)? Consider becoming a certified Community Health Worker/Home Visitor through Santa Fe Community College's Early Childhood Center of Excellence.
This course teaches the fundamental concepts, standards, and practices of home visiting. It's ideal for:
Current home visitors
Early interventionists
Parents who have received home visiting services and want to become home visitors
Early childhood education or social services students
The Fall 2025 certificate course includes important readings, homework, and a practicum. The Spring 2026 cohort will be taught entirely in Spanish.
Ready to make a difference? Request more information here: https://forms.office.com/r/RAsp3Sum2A
The New Mexico Summer Reading Program is HERE
Reading opens doors—and this summer, we’re opening a whole world of imagination, learning, and fun for incoming kindergarteners through outgoing eight graders at no cost!
The Free Summer Reading Program offers:
Small group reading instruction
Free reading materials
Fun challenges
Whether it’s picture books, graphic novels, or chapter adventures, every page read helps students stay sharp and soar into the next school year. Make reading part of your child’s summer adventures!
Learn more and register your child today at www.literacy.nm.gov .
View more reminders on the full-text version of the Weekly Child Care newsletter.
NMDOH Measles Alert
Save the Date for The Early Care, Education and Nutrition Division's 2025 Spring Fling Provider Roundtable Meetings
Office of Housing to join Workforce Solutions Department
View More Reminders
Recommended Reading:
Check out these reports on New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance program:
Marketplace - Apr 10, 2025: The difference that New Mexico's free child care makes
Marketplace - Apr 4, 2025: How New Mexico is trying to stabilize a broken child care market
KUNM - April 17, 2025: Researcher says New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance program can weather federal funding cuts
Events
Join New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils for the Community Collaborative Forum
This forum will provide a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on state legislation, federal policy changes and its implications, state agency priorities, community priorities, and explore ways we can collaborate more effectively to serve our communities.
Gain insights on how outcomes from the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session and federal policy changes will impact public health across the state. Connect with key partners to identify shared goals, explore collaborative opportunities, and contribute to a public health systems asset mapping for aligning our collective efforts. Build meaningful and lasting connections with others dedicated to advancing public health and health equity in New Mexico.
Event details:
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton, 1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Note: This event will be accessible via Zoom
Find more information and r egister here: bit.ly/May07CCF
Share Your Voice! Community Conversations in Chaparral
Proveedoras Unidas and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) invite you to participate in important community conversations in Chaparral.
This is a safe space to share…