Aprendamos
Newsletter & Resource Guide
CariĂąo | What is Autism | Superhero Week | First steps to therapy
Directory Leadership Abel Covarrubias Chief Executive Officer Alexandria Romero Alegria Program Coordinator Caroline Zamora Public Relations Coordinator Celina Waller Program Director Cindy Guzman Human Resources Manager Eleanor DeAguero EI Billing Manager Felicia Olivas Operations Coordinator Grace Legarreta Family Service Coord. & Developmental Intructionist Guadalupe Schneider Anthony Site Coordinator Josefina Ramirez Homevisting Program Manager Krystal Chavarria Family Service Coord. & Developmental Intructionist Leana Trejo Speech Language Pathologist Maggie Provencio Chief Financial Officer Myrna Trujillo MASC Clinical Director Patricia Soto Esperanza Clinic Manager Valerie Maez Quality Assurance & Intake Lead
Aprendamos Intervention Team - Las Cruces Office 301 Perkins Drive Las Cruces, NM 88005 Phone: 575-526-6682 Fax: 575-523-7254
Esperanza Children’s Therapy - Las Cruces Clinic 1681 Hickory Loop Las Cruces, NM 88005 Phone: 575-647-3773 Fax: 575-647-3777
Aprendamos Intervention Team & Esperanza Children’s Therapy 1271 Anthony Drive Anthony, NM 88021 Phone: 575-882-3401 Fax: 575-882-3256
Mariposa Autism Service Center & Alegria Family Counseling 120 Wyatt Drive Las Cruces, NM 88005 Phone: 575-652-3155 Fax: 575-652-4104
Cariño Home Visiting Program 301 Perkins Drive Las Cruces, NM 88005 Phone: 575-526-6682 Fax: 575-523-7254
Conscious Fathering Program 120 Wyatt Drive Las Cruces, NM 88005 Phone: 575-652-3155 Fax: 575-652-4104
Aprendamos Newsletter | Fall 2017 | Page 2
Welcome Letter from the CEO This month we celebrated 12 years of providing intentional and meaningful services to families and children in southern New Mexico. It has been my honor and privilege to lead and support the amazing staff here at Aprendamos. Together, we have grown this organization and as a result we are offering services that are changing the fabric of our community. We are investing in our infants, toddlers and school-age children who will one day be our leaders in the community. Abel Covarrubias, MA, CCC-SLP Chief Executive Officer
Today, we have seven programs under Aprendamos supporting children and families in the community that include: Aprendamos early intervention (birth to three); Esperanza Children’s Therapy (three to 18 years of age); Alegria Family Counseling; Mariposa Autism Service Center; Conscious Fathering Program (supporting first time dads); Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Program; Cariùo Home Visiting (prenatal to 3 years of age). It is our vision to continue supporting staff doing this important work. Therefore, as an Aprendamos Leadership Team we are committed to creating a space for learning, growth, and an environment that recognizes the passion of each employee. It is also our goal to continue cultivating the important relationships with our community partners so that we work together to support families in building a strong developmental foundation for their children. It will be through these connections that we will continue to provide children in our community with experiences that will have a positive long term effect on their developing brain. To our families, I thank you for opening up your home and allowing us to be part of your family. As an organization, we look forward to growing along with your child and celebrating the developmental gains your child will make along their journey. I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to meet the needs of our community. Sincerely, Abel
Aprendamos Newsletter | Fall 2017 | Page 3
Aprendamos Typical Child Developmental
Babies are born learning and rapid development happend in the first three years of life.
By 3 Months ¨ Sucks and Swallows well during feeding ¨ Reaches and grasps for things with hands
Shoes and Book Drive by Caroline Zamora, Public Relations Coordinator
T
he annual Shoes and Books Drive was held on August 4th. Aprendamos created the shoes and books drive to give chidren in our surrounding communities the tools they need for a successful school year. For the last five years anywhere from 250 to 350 pairs of shoes, books and backpacks are donated to children in the Hatch community. A new pair of shoes and a book are essential for children to feel confident and ready to learn.
By 9 Months ¨ Looks at familiar objects and people when named ¨ Sits without support By 15 Months ¨ May use 3 to 10 words ¨ Has temper tantrums when frustrated ¨ Walks alone, seldom falls By 24 Months ¨ Uses two to three word sentences ¨ Throws a ball overhand and kicks ball forward By 36 months ¨ May know up to 200 words in their home language ¨ Puts on own shirt, but need help w/ shoes and buttons
Aprendamos Newsletter | FALL 2017 | Page 4
Cariño
Cariño: Showing Love & Cultivating Families
P
by Josie Ramirez, MSW, MPH arenting is difficult and does require a village of support. What a child experiences in their first years of life makes a big difference in how their brain will develop and how they will interact throughout their lives.
Aprendamos Intervention Team is now offering prenatal, parenting and child development education through its new program entitled “Cariño” Home Visiting. There are no income requirements to be enrolled in Cariño Home Visiting. Family’s qualify if you are Expectant parents, or parents with children birth to three years of age. Grandparents raising Grandchildren, or any legal guardian qualify. Families enrolled in the program receive one-to-one education in the convenience of their home. A home visitor is assigned to each family and home visits are flexible to accommodate the needs of the family. In addition to parenting, and child development education, families will also receive education on nutrition, breastfeeding, car seat and home safety. There are many benefits of home visiting. The Home Visitor offers support to the family, answers questions about the baby’s development and helps connects the family to resources in their community. Additionally, families will also benefit from the home visiting lending library where home visitors bring children’s books to the home and parents are able to check out at least two books at a time and return them at their next visit. Introducing literacy early provides children the opportunity for a greater chance of being successful during the school years and will also increase parent-child interaction. To refer, register or to obtain more information on the Cariño Home Visiting Program please contact Josie Ramirez, Program Manager at jramirez@aitkids.com or (575) 526-6682.
Aprendamos Newsletter | FALL 2017 | Page 5
Esperanza
SuperHero Week Esperanza clinic at
Superhero Week was held at our Las Cruces and Anthony clinics. Superhero Week is a fun summer activity which allows therapists an opportunity to view their kiddos in a naturalistic setting. They can observe their kiddos and look for any attentional or gross motor skills which may or may not be present. Additionally, the activities for superhero week expose the kiddos to a group or social setting & therapists can interact with the parents. At Esperanza Children’s Therapy Clinic We provide Speech and Language, Occupational and Physical therapy services for children ages 3 to 18. If you would like more informaiton about our Esperanza Children’s Therapy Clinics or would like to refer a child please call 575-647-3773.
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Conscious Fathering
Becoming a Father by Joshua Stoller, Conscious Fathering Outreach Coordinator
The mission of the Conscious Fathering Program of Southern New Mexico is to help educate and provide information to new and expecting fathers in our community. The class brings fathers together to provide them the skills and tools needed for becoming a father. Instructors cover the “how-to” topics of: proper holding techniques, cleaning, dressing, and baby’s basic needs. Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience of fun, excitement, but also stress. We strive ensure that our fathers are educated on handling stress and exploring healthy methods of minimizing tension. The Conscious Fathering Team has trained six new instructors who are ambitious in educating and providing mentorship to fathers. Our instructors are real fathers who want to offer a social support, share experiences, and help fathers as they begin their journey through parenthood. Our team is currently looking to expand its number of instructors in the fall of 2017 with bilingual speaking instructors to better accommodate our community. Classes are currently held in Las Cruces at Alegria Family Therapy and Turning Point of Las Cruces. Classes will soon be held throughout Doña Ana County including Hatch, Anthony, and Mesquite. In the fall of 2017, Conscious Fathering is expanding and offering classes in Luna, Otero, Sierra, and Grant counties. To register for a class or to receive more information please contact Joshua Stoller, Conscious Fathering Outreach Coordinator at Jstoller@aitkids.com or 575-5266682. Also, See our Conscious Fathering Program Facebook page @ConsciousFatheringProgramSNM for class schedules, parenting tips, and resources. Aprendamos Newsletter | Fall 2017 | Page 8
CBCAP Preventing Abuse & Neglect in Our Community by Claudia Martinez
Child abuse and neglect are significant public health problems in the United States. In New Mexico, there were 40, 855 total referrals for child abuse and neglect in 2015 alone. Of those referrals, 21,798 were referred for investigation (CWLA, 2017). Most child abuse cases occur within the family. According to the child protective service agencies, about 683,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2015. Some risk factors for child abuse include a parent or parents with a type of mental health issue, a parental history of childhood abuse, and domestic violence. Children who are abused not only end up suffering from physical injuries, but also are often affected by psychological injuries from abuse. Abused children often develop mental health issues, social development issues, they can develop high risk-taking behavior like smoking or drug abuse, or they can be delayed in their academic progress. It is not always easy to recognize when a child has been abused or is being neglected. Injuries that can be physically seen are the biggest red flags. Here are some other warning signs of child abuse and neglect that are important to learn: • Difficulty walking or sitting • Difficulty sleeping or having nightmares • Anti-social, fearful, or withdrawn behavior • Decline in academic performance, progress, or academic attendance • Frequent complaints of unexplainable stomach aches or headaches Child abuse and neglect can be preventable in New Mexico with help from the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Program (CBCAP). The CBCAP is under the Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) and aims to support community-based efforts in order to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and coordinate initiatives, programs, and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect. The CBCAP grant has provided the state of New Mexico with the opportunity to support direct service delivery programs, training, and public awareness activities focused on child abuse and neglect prevention. With programs such as the CBCAP and help from the community of New Mexico, New Mexico can become a better and safer place for children to grow and thrive. The parents or primary/secondary caregivers of children 0-5 years of age must meet the program requirements. Family must not have an active case open with CYFD at the time of referral or have a substantiated case within the last 6 months. If you or someone you know are interested in this program, please contact Brandy Vasquez at 575-526-6682 or at bvasquez@aitkids.com for more information. Aprendamos Newsletter | Fall 2017 | Page 9
Alegria
First steps to seeking therapy by Claudia Martinez
Making the decision to seek therapy for you or your family can be a difficult and resistant process. It can be hard for someone to decide that therapy is needed and when it is needed. It can be even harder for someone to decide for the whole family that they all need to seek therapy together. There may be a lot of doubt, uncertainty, or confusion when deciding when it is best for you or your family to seek therapy. When you decide to seek therapy for yourself or with your family, you are gaining the ability to move forward in life. You are gaining the opportunity to work through problems properly and you are gaining the opportunity to learn more about yourself. But why would anyone feel the need to see a therapist? Here are a few reasons why: • Specific goals or issues have been identified that you wish to work on • You or your family need help coping with a traumatic event • Relationship with spouse or children are strained • You have behavioral, academic, or mental concerns for you or your children • Feelings of depression or unusual behavior in yourself or your children Individual or family therapy can also be beneficial for you or for a child with a mental health issue. According to Mental Health America’s Annual Report for 2016, an estimated 43.7 million adult Americans experience a mental health condition. When it comes to young adults ranging in age 12-17, about 1.7 million young Americans are experiencing severe depression (MHA, 2016). Some signs and symptoms of a mental illness in adults, young adults, and adolescents include: • Confused thinking • Prolonged depression • Social withdrawal • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits • Strange thoughts or delusions There are many benefits to seeking therapy from a licensed professional. The first step towards getting help is deciding to get help. Alegria Family Counseling offers a vide variety of services available to you and your family. For more information or to answer any questions you may have, please call our office at 575-652-3155 or email us at info@aitkids.com. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/sites/default/files/Annual%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf
Aprendamos Newsletter | Fall 2017 | Page 10
Mariposa
What is Autism? by Claudia Martinez
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a mental developmental disorder that impairs a child’s ability to communicate and interact with other people, according to the Mayo Clinic. The term “spectrum” in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and the severity that can be found in each case. The uniqueness of each person with autism makes the experience of living with autism different for each family. However, there are some consistent themes that most families should be aware of in order to be able to provide the best support to the individual and to family members. There are more than 200,000 cases of autism in the United States per year. That is 1 in every 68 births in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual report in 2016. Autism is 4.5 times more prevalent in boys than girls. Currently, ASD does not have a single known cause. But increased awareness, early diagnosis, and early intervention can lead to significantly improved results in children. What are some symptoms of Autism? • Fails to respond to his or her name or appears to not hear you at times • Resists cuddling or holding and seems to prefer playing alone • Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expressions • Performs repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning, or head-banging • Moves constantly • Does not engage in imitative or make-believe play Signs of autism usually tend to appear between 2 and 3 years of age. In some cases, autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months in a child. In other cases, children are sometimes not diagnosed with ASD until after the age of 4. Symptoms and necessary treatment for a child can change as children grow and go through different phases of life. The quality of life for someone with ASD depends not only on the foundation provided during childhood, but also from ongoing support that is specific to individual needs. The demands of living with a person with autism are great and families frequently experience high levels of stress. Recognizing and preparing for the challenges in store will make a big difference to everyone involved. While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, early and intensive treatment can make a big difference in the development of a child’s life. With proper services and information, children with autism will grow and flourish at a different developmental rate than typically developing children. Early intervention can help to minimize disruptive or self-harming behaviors, and behavior therapy can teach self-help skills for greater independence in a child’s life. If you suspect your child of having ASD, it is important to discuss any concerns with your family doctor. Mariposa Autism Service Center (MASC) provides therapy to children with autism in Las Cruces. MASC utilizes Applied Behavior Analytic techniques to teach new skills to children with autism. For more information or if you have any questions about our program, please call our office at 575-652-3155 or email us at info@aitkids.com
Aprendamos Newsletter | Fall 2017 | Page 11
Working Together
to help build your child’s developmental foundation • Speech and Language Therapy • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Family Therapy • Social Work • Nutrition • Nursing Services • Bilingual Evaluation • Bilingual Treatment
• Autism & Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy • Infant Mental Health • Circle of Security • CBCAP Program • Conscious Fathering Program & Classes • Home Visiting Program & Parent Education
Serving children and families of Doña Ana County for over 12 years 575-526-6682 | www.aitkids.com
Call today for a no cost developmental screening