Cuidando Los Ninos Inc

Cln's children's services program is rated five-star by the nm children youth and families department and is also nationally accredited by the national association for the education of young children (naeyc). Cln operates on a daily basis, monday through friday, from 7:00 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. The curriculum is experience-based and structured to support physical, socio-emotional, intellectual, and language development with ongoing screenings. Children are fed a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack throughout the day. Immunizations are kept up-to-date with the assistance of a public health clinic day once a month. A therapist works regularly with staff, families, and in play therapy with children. Transportation is provided daily to approximately half the children whose parents do not have cars.

The family support program works closely with families to advance progress on goals in self-sufficiency, a path of educational success, and re-entry into the community as productive, contributing members. Specific goals and objectives include conducting a family-needs assessment and developing an individualized one-year family action plan that is monitored on a regular basis through home visits. A formal referral process is used for housing, physical and mental health needs, developmental services, financial assistance, employment, and education services through collaborations with other community organizations. Weekly parent education classes focus on three areas: parenting skills, wellness and nutrition, and life skills. One-on-one parent meetings occur regularly with family case managers, teachers, and home visits.

The advocacy program advocates for the social change necessary to break the cycle of homelessness. This is accomplished by empowering a group of parents with the lived experience of homelessness so that they can be self-advocates and speak directly to policy makers. The group is trained and facilitated by a dedicated staff member. Cln also leads a coalition of non-profit, educational, and governmental entities to advance early childhood education as a means of breaking the cycle of homelessness for children and families. The coalition engages in community assessments, strategic planning sessions and implementation of programs that create systemic changes to early childhood systems.