About Us
Parents Reaching Out (PRO) provides support, training and tools for families of and youth with disabilities or complex medical needs. Our goal is to help family members and youth become their own best advocates in the areas of early childhood, education and healthcare.
Our Impact
We help families by:
Offering individual support to families of and/or youth with disabilities in the areas of early childhood, education and healthcare.
Presenting no-cost trainings workshops and support groups.
Providing family-friendly materials and publications related to early childhood, education and health.
Our Mission
The mission of Parents Reaching Out is to enhance positive outcomes for families and children in New Mexico through informed decision-making, advocacy, education, and resources. Parents Reaching Out provides networking opportunities for families to connect with and support each other.
Funders
Partners/Affiliations
Our History
THE EARLY YEARS: BY FAMILIES, FOR FAMILIES 1980-1986
Parents Reaching Out began in 1980 with about 10 to 15 parents, all of whom had a child with a disability enrolled in one of the early intervention programs. These few parents met on a regular basis at a small counseling center to share stories and provide support to one another in an effort to share mutual experiences including the joys and demands of having a child with disabilities or complex medical needs. After hearing how parents were given the news of their child’s disability and how they searched for the services that their family and child needed, this small group of parents decided they wanted to form an organization that could help other families in similar situations. They wanted to provide current information on what services were available. They envisioned a center that would serve as a clearinghouse for resources, information, assistance, and training while building connections for families whose children had a similar diagnosis.
Throughout that first year, this small group of parents worked diligently to reach parents, listen to their stories, help them connect with services, and provide them with information all the while pursuing incorporation and nonprofit status. The Board of Directors was born out of this group and officers were elected. A freelance artist volunteered to develop the logo and a freelance writer helped to get PRO’s first newsletter to press in 1981. In the mid-1980’s PRO was funded to create the Special Kids Project, a legislative effort to lower the school-age to three for children with developmental disabilities. In 1986, PRO received funding to provide training for parents in case management and financial planning, helped communities develop respite care programs, and helped form local parent support groups as well as a statewide parent network.
BUILDING STATEWIDE CAPACITY 1989-2000
In 1989, PRO was awarded a grant through the US Department of Education to serve as New Mexico?s statewide Parent Training and Information Center, a designation we are proud to have held ever since. In 1993, the organization formalized the Parent-to-Parent project supported by a grant from the NM Department of Health. In 1998, capacity increased once more to extend the organization’s reach to develop a federally funded Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) for families and children at risk of school failure. In 2000, the Families as Faculty Program was developed out of a pilot project to have families provide education and share their stories of navigating health care and education systems with future medical students and educators.
IMPACTING THE FUTURE 2000-2020
In 2005, PRO began offering an Annual Leadership Conference for families to learn and network together which continues to this day. In 2017, with support from the Family, Infant, and Toddler Program, PRO added a Leadership Academy to the Conference’s offerings.
PRO’s services grew to include a Family Liaison embedded at the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the University of New Mexico Hospitals. Parents Reaching Out serves as New Mexico’s Family Voices affiliate and was funded during this period to serve as New Mexico’s Family-to-Family Health Care Information Center, an ongoing designation supported by the US Department of Health. In 2019, PRO, together with our colleagues at Arizona’s Raising Special Kids, PRO was designated as one of the first tribal Family-to-Family Information Centers, serving the Navajo Nation and other tribal communities.
In 2015, PRO began serving youth with disabilities in order to build skills in self-advocacy and an understanding of the systems in which youth often found themselves. This work has continued with several different partners culminating in the Forward@14 Transition program.
UPWARD AND ONWARD 2021 – 2023
The success of our Annual Leadership Conference continued to be a cornerstone of our efforts. In 2021, we were excited to be back in person for the conference since 2019. The conference reached new heights, serving as a dynamic platform for families to learn, share, and network. The positive feedback and increased participation reaffirmed our commitment to providing valuable resources and connections for families navigating the complexities of raising children with disabilities and complex medical needs.
In 2023, PRO experienced a significant chapter in its journey, marked by strategic leadership decisions. We proudly welcomed Jenn Donelli as our new Executive Director, bringing a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to guide our organization into the future. In tandem with this leadership change, we expanded our team with dedicated individuals who share our passion for empowering families facing the challenges of disabilities and complex medical needs.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024
As we transition into the next phase of our journey, we are excited to announce that we are developing innovative ways to support families through new platforms. Our dedication to providing timely and accessible resources remains unwavering. Stay tuned for more information as we launch these new initiatives, which aim to enhance our ability to connect, educate, and empower families across various channels.
Rachel Gutierrez
Lucy Freeman
Rosa Silva
Melissa Carrillo
Michelle Simpson
Leah Johnson
Felicia Carrillo
Christa Perez
Jenn Donelli
Dolores Harden
Meet Our
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors supports the work of PRO and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. PRO’s Board Members serve a two-year term and are eligible for re-appointment. Board meetings are held quarterly. Service on PRO’s Board of Directors is without remuneration. Parents of children (up to age 26) eligible for special education are particularly encouraged to apply for board membership. Board members have a commitment to and understanding of family concerns in New Mexico, a commitment to inclusion and diversity, and the highest levels of personal integrity.
Renata Witte
President
Dale Hagin
Vice President
Kristine Sanchez
Secretary
Ryan Ferguson
Member
Nelli Calame
Member
Rebecca Cobos
Member
Dr. Dawnita Blackmon-Mosley
Member
