Parents Reaching Out offers a variety materials as outreach tools as we connect with communities across New Mexico. Our publications are designed to provide information and resources that build informed decisions as families work with systems to create successful opportunities for children and young adults. They are written in an easy-to-read family friendly format that helps unlock the complex jargon that we sometimes find when we navigate the early intervention, education, and health care systems around us. Many of our resources are available in Spanish. Please contact our office if you would like to receive any of the publications listed or our Parents Reaching Out CD containing the entire set of publications formatted for access using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Please click on the appropriate link to view a publication. Publications are available in Adobe .PDF format. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these files.
If you have selected to save the information to your local hard drive, please give the download time to complete. Download times will vary depending on your Internet connection and traffic at our Web site.
If you experience difficulties retrieving these downloadable publications, please do not hesitate to contact us at (800) 524-5176 or info@parentsreachingout.org.
Tool for families and others focused on building success for students through positive behavior supports. Includes tips for engaging families in school wide systems to support academic achievement and social competence. Provides useful suggestions for school assistance teams and IEP teams as they focus on meeting the needs of students in a school setting. Step by step guides and tools for Functional Behavior Assessment, Positive Behavior Improvement Planning and navigating the discipline system. (English and Spanish versions Fall 2007)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
This booklet has been designed to give the definitions of the most commonly used acronyms & abbreviations. In addition, this booklet also provides many other useful definitions for words that you may come across as you navigate systems. We have also added a section at the end of this book that is focused on the Health Care system. (Comprehensive Revision Summer 2007)
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
Tools and tips for making the best use of communication skills as we work with people who have different opinions, values, beliefs, and needs than our own. Effective communication is the key to exchanging ideas with others, understanding perspectives and solving problems depends (June 2006)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
We learn from our own experiences and the experiences of others. These “life lessons” help us make future choices that better meet the needs of our family. When we share our “life lessons”, we can also help others understand our position and improve the quality of life for our children and others. This workbook helps families gather their thoughts and experiences, prioritize their ideas and be effective in communicating their family’s needs.(Fall 2005)
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Family to Family Health Information Center(F2FHIC)
Early Intervention (DOH Family Infant Toddler program)
A transition booklet to help families with young children receiving Early Intervention services as they move to Early Childhood programs or preschool. (Revised Spring 2005)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Early Intervention (DOH Family Infant Toddler program)
A resource book for families and schools as they consider accommodations, modifications and supports to improve student success in the classroom. Offers suggestions for differentiated learning that can be used by school assistance teams, IEP teams to meet student needs under NCLB & IDEA. Includes multiple intelligences, learning styles, literacy, inclusive education and student assessment. (Comprehensive Revision Fall 2005)
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Sensory integration is all about a person's ability to organize and process sensory information and to use that information to make appropriate responses. Learning about sensory integration helps fill in missing pieces about how our children learn. Great tool for families, teachers & service providers. (Fall 2005)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
A practical guide to help parents and children transition from head start or other pre-k setting to elementary school. Tips for dealing with change and ideas to consider for each of the stages of the transition process. Developed in 2002 (latest revision-Summer 2005)
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
A partnership guide for families, schools, service agencies, and policy makers focused on improving outcomes for our children. This booklet celebrates the success of family involvement that is happening in our state. It also offers ideas, resources and hope for what is yet to come. Although many of the strategies in this book highlight schools and the education system, the ideas can be applied to the network of systems in our communities. (Fall 2006)
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Books in this series:
Other books in progress for this series:
Our Family Connections series developed by the Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC). Each book in this collection highlights one of the Six Keys of School, Family, and Community Involvement from the model developed by Dr. Joyce L. Epstein of John Hopkins University. This series is designed to help families, schools and communities identify needs and develop comprehensive plans to promote, expand and sustain parental involvement in New Mexico’s schools. Each guide provides ideas and resources to promote long lasting partnerships that are focused on helping all children succeed in school and in later life. Books to be included in this series: Volunteering; Communicating; Parenting; Learning at Home; Decision Making; Collaborating with the Community; and, Action Teams.
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
This is a Technical Assistance document developed by the NM Public Education Department in June 2007. We have included this information in our Publications section because it is important for families and schools to understand the opportunities for students provided under this law.
What is Section 504? Section 504 is federal civil rights law under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It provides protection against discrimination for individuals with disabilities.
How does Section 504 relate to schools? Students in school settings fall under the protection of Section 504 and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability from all school programs and activities in both public and private schools receiving direct or indirect federal funding. Section 504 is the other service option available to students with disabilities, but who are not already eligible and receiving special education services under the eligibility requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
An informative booklet designed for families and schools as they examine ways to improve outcomes for all students. Based on the latest research, the booklet includes examples and tips for inclusive school practices based on meaningful participation in a full range of learning opportunities. (Revised annually to include up to date funding formula information- Summer 2007)
Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
English: One major change in the law is the emphasis on early intervention services for children who are “at risk” for academic and/or behavioral problems. The idea is to intervene early with evidence-based strategies before a child fails and becomes so far behind that they require special education.
Using the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, when a student struggles with academic tasks or presents challenging or at-risk behaviors, we ask: “Is this child getting the instruction that he or she needs to succeed.” We don’t wait for students to fail. We act immediately to get the student the help needed. This model guides Student Assistance Teams (SATs) in New Mexico follow to successfully meet the needs of all students.
For many families and individuals with disabilities, the process of applying for the DD Waiver, officially known as the “Home and Community based Medicaid Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver”, can seem so complex and overwhelming that they hesitate to embark on the journey. This book offers information and advice from families, advocates, case managers and agencies, to provide a “road map” for families and individuals.
New Mexico Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Application Handbook takes you through the process for the application paperwork. (Spring 2005)
New Mexico Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Allocation Handbook takes you through the steps to begin DD Waiver services after you receive notice of an available funding slot on the DD Waiver. (Spring 2005)
Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
(Brochure) Provides eligibility criteria with descriptions of services for Mi Via, DD Waiver, D & E Waiver and Medically Fragile Waivers. (Spring 2007)
Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
We know from experience that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) system is not an easy one to get around. It is our hope that this guidebook answers some basic, but important questions such as: Who is eligible? How do you apply? Is the application process complicated? Where do you get help? Is there an appeal process?
Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
This booklet provides general information about the Special Education process for families and school personnel. Includes tools, tips and resources. (Revised Summer 2005)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
This is a technical assistance document developed by NM Public Education Department and NM Department of Health in 2004. The information provides guidance on providing supports and services to young children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
Parents of children with disabilities are full, participating members of their child’s IEP team. Focus on the IEP process, record keeping, communication, partnerships & more. Information has been updated to reflect IDEA 2004. (Complete, comprehensive revision for English/Spanish versions SPRING 2007)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Based on NM Standard and Career Readiness Paths to the Diploma. This book includes timelines, resources, tips for educated choices to assist families and schools plan for success in high school and beyond. (Revised Summer 2005)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
This booklet is based on the Ability Path to the Diploma for NM. Contains timelines, resources and tips for educated transition choices. It also includes NM guidelines and requirements for planning and assessment. (Revised Summer 2005.)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Easy to read question and answer format for parents and other IEP Team members addressing Extended School Year services. (Revised Winter 2004)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
This booklet is a tool for the University Students as they work with the Families as Faculty project. Vignettes, excerpts from research and other information are included to provide students with a parent perspective to open doors to family involvement to improve systems outcomes. This booklet is revised each year.
Families as Faculty - Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
Parents Reaching Out offers information to parents, families, educators and other professionals throughout our state. We have a collection of books, articles, information files, newsletters and pamphlets on a wide variety of topics, and provide access to local, state and national resources. Families relocating to New Mexico or other states are invited to contact us for connections to resources including Parent to Parent networks.
Information about Parents Reaching Out with descriptions of projects (NMPIRC, NMPTI, NMFFHIC, DreamCatchers and Families as Faculty). Includes our Mission, Beliefs and contact information, Parent to Parent, FLAN (volunteering) and our Resource Center. This sheet is primarily displayed and distributed at workshops, conferences or used in Welcome to PRO packets distributed by our organization. Revised Spring 2007
School funding is a complex process. Families of children with disabilities, educators and others often ask: “How do schools get their funding and what does that mean for services to support student success?” In New Mexico, some students generate more funding than they use—while others generate less than they use. This brochure offers a step by step guide to school funding to meet the NEEDS of all students! This brochure is revised annually (Summer 2007)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)
A series of fact sheets for families and service providers who play a role in the lives of children from birth to age three. Designed to help families make informed decisions about the care and education of their children. (2006)
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Resources that help families make informed decisions about the care and education of their children. (Developed 2005-06) Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
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These fact sheets (in English and Spanish) cover a range of topics including: No Child Left Behind (School Choice, Supplemental Educational Services, Adequate Yearly Progress, Parent Involvement), Literacy, Learning Styles, Safe Schools, Homework and more. These fact sheets were developed by our Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC). The titles for these fact sheets (in English and Spanish) are listed on the following page. (Developed 2005-06 with new titles added yearly.)
The reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law on Dec. 3, 2004. The final regulations were published on August 14, 2006. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education prepared a series of documents that covers a variety of high-interest topics and brings together the statutory language related to those topics to support constituents in preparing to implement the new requirements. These documents are available at the OSERS web site:
Building the Legacy IDEA 2004 http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home