ECECD Early Childhood Community Newsletter: Monday, September 29, 2025
What's Inside: Registration is Open for the Parent University Partnership for Success, 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
Registration is Open for the Parent University Partnership for Success
Registration is now open for Parent University, a free event designed to equip New Mexico families with the knowledge, resources, and tools to navigate special education services and supports. Hosted by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) in partnership with the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) and the Higher Education Department (HED), this event aims to educate, elevate, and enhance family and student leadership.
Event Details
When: Friday, October 17–Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Where: Berna Facio Training Center, 33155 Louisiana Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Cost: This is a free event for families.
Support for Attending Families
To ensure all families can attend, the following supports are available:
Child Care: On-site child care will be provided at no cost.
Lodging: Financial assistance for lodging is available on a first-come, first-served basis for families traveling over 60 miles. Early registration is recommended to access this support.
ECECD Presentation Highlight: Navigating the Transition from FIT to Preschool
ECECD is proud to have staff present at this important event.
Navigating the Transition from FIT to Preschool
Description: This session will describe the transition between Family Infant Toddler (FIT) services and preschool special education services. Families will learn what to expect as services move from a home or community setting to a classroom setting.
Presenters: The session will be led by Lucia Garcia, an education leader with over 25 years of experience supporting students with exceptionalities, and Leah Davidson, a career early childhood professional who has been working in early intervention on behalf of young children and their families since 2009.
Self-Care Beyond Spas: Self Regulation While Parenting
Description: This session is a discussion of self-care and self-regulation while parenting, including personal stories from the presenters' own journeys as parents.
Presenters: The session will be led by Emily Pepin, ECECD’s Children’s Cabinet Policy Specialist, and Amanda Gallegos, who has worked to increase family engagement throughout New Mexico for over a decade and now coordinates coalition efforts for ECECD.
Register Today!
This event is an enriching experience packed with insightful workshops and opportunities to connect with fellow parents and expert educators. Secure your spot today!
Click Here to Register Registration is also available by scanning the QR code on the event flyer.
Questions? Please contact the event organizers at nmparentuniversity@pcgus.com
September 29, 2025
What's Inside?
1. Reminders/Announcements
2. Events
3. Professional Development
5. Boletín en Español
Reminders/Announcements
Now Accepting Applications: Child Care Facility Loan Fund
Child Care Facility Loan Fund Now Accepting Applications
The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) and the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) are proud to announce that the Child Care Facility Loan Fund is now accepting applications. This program provides low-interest, long-term loans to make affordable financing available for major capital projects to renovate, expand, or construct licensed child care facilities.
Program Details:
Loan Amount: Available loans start at $100,000.
Eligibility: Open to child care providers (individuals, private businesses, non-profits, Tribal entities) and employers wishing to provide child care for their employees.
Priority: Projects that will create more child care in underserved communities, particularly for infants and toddlers, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Virtual Information Sessions
Join ECECD and NMFA to learn more about the program and the application process.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 6–7 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 12–1:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 10–11 a.m.
Join via Zoom
The application period is open now and will close on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Learn more and apply here
Please note: Partial loan abatement options are available to borrowers who meet special criteria.
Infant and Toddler Contracted Slots Pilot Program (RFP #: 2026-1000)
ECECD is inviting licensed child care providers with a 3-star or higher FOCUS rating, as well as Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes who want to join the FOCUS program, to apply to take part in New Mexico’s new “contracted slots” pilot program. This program will give priority to providers who serve infants and toddlers with developmental delays, families earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and families living in areas with few child care options.
Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open! Submission deadline is October 20, 2025.
Learn more here: RFP #: 2026-1000 Infant and Toddler Contracted Slots Pilot Program | Early Childhood Education & Care Department
ECECD is “On the Move”
We’re excited to announce the relocation of our offices in Farmington and Las Cruces. Come visit us at our new addresses:
Las Cruces Office
2100 Summit Ct
Las Cruces, NM 88011
Farmington Office
2901 East 20th Street, Suite 101
Farmington, NM 87401
We look forward to welcoming you to our new spaces!
View more reminders on the full-text version of the Weekly Child Care newsletter.
Join ECECD for Our Public Hearing on Child Care Assistance
New Mexico PreK Updates
Share Your Story with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department!
Celebrate Local Flavors: NM Grown Month and Farm to CACFP Week
Public Data Dashboards are now live
Native…