1. Parent to Parent Support: a. Develop a statewide parent support network of parent volunteers. b. Train parent volunteers interested in providing peer support and information to families in their communities. c. Provide ongoing support, including but not limited to helping parent leaders connect with parents whose children are enrolled in FIT, coordinate engagement with the NM Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), and assist parents in finding opportunities to share their stories to parents that have received leadership training from contractor, including minimal stipends, supervision, and ongoing training. d. Connect parents receiving Family Infant Toddler (FIT) services to other parents receiving FIT services in New Mexico. This includes connecting families with other families who have experienced similar experiences related to their child’s delay or disability and/or connecting families with national or international resources such as but not limited to national foundations or associations for specific disabilities. e. Publicize and promote the parent-to-parent network to families of eligible children within the FIT program. f. Maintain a database of parent-to-parent volunteers and successful linkages to improve referral and delivery of parent-to-parent support. 2. Parent Advocacy: a. Develop and deliver advocacy training to FIT Program parents throughout New Mexico. Training must occur based on need, but must be offer no less than two times per year. Training can be virtual or in-person depending on community need. b. Evaluate the effectiveness of the advocacy training provided to families. c. Coordinate with other personnel providing training and technical assistance to early intervention provider agencies to coordinate with ECECD and ECECD’s contracted personnel to ensure consistency of message and strategic alignment. 3. Parent Leadership: a. Recruit parents/family members to participate in parent leadership activities. b. Recruit and support parents and/or family members of children with special needs to serve as family advisors on committees. c. Provide opportunities for Early Intervention parents to participate and attend family leadership conferences through the provision of stipends to parents. 4. Promote Parent Support and Family Centered Practices: Support State’s other contracted provider agencies to enhance: a. Parent-to-parent connections b. Parent leadership opportunities c. Parent advocacy skills d. Parent training opportunities e. Information/materials that parents receive
