Agency Details:

The mission of La Vida Institute is to contribute to the community by creating an infrastructure to: improve the quality of community programs and services to children and families; to increase the competency and capabilities of young children through the training of caregivers, educators and parents; and to improve the quality of life for children and families by providing information and resources.

Description:
La Vida Institute is a Training and Technical Assistance program for parents and child care providers both in centers and homes. We are dedicated to supporting these providers in their effort to assure quality and safety for the children of Dona Ana and Otero counties. Our goal is to improve the quality of child care in Southern New Mexico by supporting parents and child care providers. We are funded through CYFD and the Office of Child Development. Our services include

• Training - available to family child care providers, center staff and parents on all areas of child development. Trainings include the 45 hour Course and the 18 Hour Course. These trainings support child care providers in getting their required training hours. A calendar of all training is available at the office;
• Aim High - This is a New Mexico Early Care and Quality Improvement Program. It offers child care providers (both home and center based) the opportunity to increase their quality standards. Emphasis is placed on program administration, environment and curriculum development, staff development, ratios of children to providers, and national accreditation. By accomplishing specific goals, child care providers can increase the reimbursement for children whose families qualify for subsidy;
• Referral Service - La Vida Institute offers a referral service for child care providers, day care centers, Head Start centers, Early Head Start centers, and parents in Dona Ana and Otero counties. In order to participate in the program, parents must complete an intake packet. This can be done in person or by telephone.
• Resource Materials - La Vida Institute has a resource library and a toy lending library available to the public, students, and professionals. Resources include activities, literature about child development and other issues important to the child care provider, videos, Multi-cultural books, and toys. These can be checked out by child care centers and by individuals.



History:
This agency has been funded through the state since 1984 and in the past seven years has been able to expand the services to include a toy lending library, training, technical assistance, resource and referral services and quality improvement.

All services are free except for the ones that require a book or materials. Hours are 8 -12 a.m. and 1:00-5:00 daily.



Contact people:


Gloria Gonzales, Director, (phone), (email) Julie Hernandez, Aim High Coordinator, (phone), (email) Alicia Asher, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (575) 527-1231

Address:


755 S. Telshor, Suite 201B Las Cruces, NM 88011 (See a map)


Web Site: http://newmexicokids.org

Directions:

La Vida is next to Billy the Kid Hair Salon and on the same level as the parking lot of Hotel Encanto.

Last updated on February 23, 2009