As the NM PIRC (New Mexico Parent Information and Resource Center), we help parents get the information and gain the skills they may need in order to support their children's learning and growth. We are funded by the US Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. We offer information and assistance to families about child development and early childhood programs including Head Start as children begin transitions from home to a school setting. We provide families, educators and communities with information about No Child Left Behind and offer tools to build school relationships create meaningful partnerships and improve academic achievement.
We encourage families, schools and communities to expand opportunities for children by becoming involved in children’s education. NM PIRC engages parents as active participants in decisions related to their child through the use of materials and activities delivered in their home language in a manner that is welcoming and respectful of cultures and diverse needs. Our toll free telephone, web site, publications and workshop presentations offer easy access to assistance and resources in English and Spanish.
NM PIRC provides an early childhood model that promotes parent involvement through our contracts with established Parents as Teachers (PAT programs) in New Mexico. We offer other parent learning opportunities through associations with the NM Head Start programs, Family Infant and Toddler Early Intervention program, early care and education agencies and the NM GRADS program (Graduation, Reality & Dual-Role System).
NM PIRC activities in early childhood and increasing parent involvement in schools are focused on providing a wide venue of resources in the areas of child development, literacy, No Child Left Behind (school choice, accountability, supplemental educational services and related topics), School Action Teams process and other topics as requested. We offer workshops, presentations, fact sheets, newsletters and support in English and Spanish.
NM PIRC workshops are Learning Opportunities that promote parent competence and a sense of belonging based on the Epstein model of Parent Involvement and the family centered approach used by the early childhood system. We recognize the leadership potential of parents through mentorship and training for Parents as Leaders (PALS) volunteers through our Family Leadership Action Network (FLAN).
NM PIRC networks with state agencies, local education agencies and others to determine and address parents’ needs and the best means for service delivery. Our PIRC Advisory Board and Focus groups of parents and representatives of NM Public Education Department, NM Children Youth and Families Department, school district representatives assist in identifying strategies for addressing parental needs.
We have developed a unique series of Grab-N-Go folders for workshop presentations to address the diverse needs of our families, the rural nature of our state and the need for timely information delivered in a flexible manner in varied situations. Grab-N-Go folders with practical record keeping applications focus on a workshop topic (NCLB, Parent Involvement, Literacy, Child Development, Progress Reports, etc.) GNG folders with our Did You Know and First Step fact sheets provide versatile tools (in English or Spanish) to build capacity in a workshop setting.
We offer a variety of workshops and training experiences designed for families, educators and community members. We can design a workshop series that fits the needs of your school and the families in your community. Our workshops are offered in English or Spanish. Please contact us, if you would like to set up a workshop in your area.
Parental Involvement ( Title 1) – We offer a variety of workshops and training experiences focused on parent involvement for families, educators and community members.
If you do not find a topic to fit your needs on this list, please give us a call. We can design a workshop or series of workshops that works for the needs in your school and community.
Parents As Leaders (PALS) are volunteers in our Family Leadership Action Network (FLAN) who are mentored by NM PIRC staff. PALS take a leadership role to promote parent involvement in their schools and communities. PALS mentor other families in the community to encourage their active participation in literacy, student achievement and school accountability. We have PALS in our Latino Outreach program that encourage and inform our Spanish speaking families about ways they can be involved in their child’s education.
NM PIRC believes that parent leadership is the key to family involvement in schools. We believe that as parents take on leadership responsibilities in their schools, they share a sense of ownership in the school improvement process. We believe a good relationship between parents and schools is a critical component in student success.
Our PALS receive support and information to builds their confidence as they work with educators to involve parents in the decisions-making process. Schools and families who are interested in forming a PALS group and scheduling workshops in their community are invited to contact NM PIRC for more information.
Parents Reaching Out offers a variety of materials as outreach tools as we connect with communities across New Mexico. Our publications are designed to provide information and resources that build informed decisions as families work with systems to create successful opportunities for children and young adults. We invite you to browse through our Publications and Fact Sheets page for resources and topics that cover: early childhood, early intervention, education, special education, health care access and systems change.
Our Did You Know fact sheets cover topics including: No Child Left Behind (School Choice, Adequate Yearly Progress, Parent Involvement), Learning Styles, Grandparenting, Safe Schools, Homework, Literacy, Behavior and more. These fact sheets are available in English and Spanish. We use family friendly language to help unlock the mysteries of complex topics.
Each project at Parents Reaching Out has an advisory committee made up of stakeholders who provide guidance and promote the goals of the project.
Contact NM PIRC: nmpirc@parentsreachingout.org
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