Agency Details:

Promoting healthier families and communities in New Mexico by strengthening parent-child and couple relationships, building self-sufficiency, and encouraging healthy behaviors.

Description:
NMSU’s Strengthening Families Initiative is comprised of three programs serving families throughout New Mexico.

1. The Family Wellness program is a free 12 week intensive parenting/family course that is offered throughout Dona Ana County. There are English and Spanish classes available for families. The class meets 2.5 hours each week. There is also a children’s program that runs concurrently available for those children 7 years of age and younger. A light refreshment is also provided.
   
   
2. The Nurturing Parenting Program offers intensive parenting classes enhanced with life skills and nutrition education. Classes are available throughout New Mexico and are available at various times and locations. Classes meet 2.5 hours per week for 3-5 months. Classes are offered in English and Spanish. A children’s program runs simultaneously with parent’s program and family members meet all together during Nurturing Time.
   
   
3. The Incarcerated Fathers Program promotes responsible fatherhood through intensive parenting classes enhanced with life skills and domestic violence prevention education. Class sessions focus on key parenting concepts such as age-appropriate expectations, parent/child bonding, parenting roles, and healthy family communication. Program is based at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility.



History:
New Mexico State University’s (NMSU), Strengthening Families Initiative started in 2000 and has been funded through a variety of state and federal grants. Strengthening Families Initiative has offered almost 200 class series in 20 counties throughout New Mexico. The program has served over 2200 families and offered classes to parents facing special challenges including: teen parents; single parents and married parents; divorced and separated parents; adoptive and foster parents; grandparents raising grandchildren; incarcerated parents; and families involved with social services or with the criminal justice system.


Contact people:


Candice Trujillo, Parent Educator, (phone), (email) Trena Pollard, Program Specialist, (phone), (email) Susana Ramirez, Program Specialist, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (575) 646-1889

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Address:


Strengthening Families Initiative, P.O. Box 30003, MSC 3AE, Extension Home Economics Department Las Cruces, NM 88003 (See a map)


Web Site: http://sfi.nmsu.edu

Directions:

Physical Address: Gerald Thomas Hall, New Mexico State University Main Campus (corner of Knox & College) Room 254

Last updated on April 20, 2009