Youth Programs

Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Union county residents
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English Only
Address
17 Chestnut St.
Clayton, NM 88415
88415
Phone
575-374-9423
Short Description
Public computers
• Free Wi-Fi
• Faxing services available
• Books, movies, eBooks
• Children’s programming
• GED services
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Referrals are not required, but often come from a variety of entities including doctors, mental health clinics, or school systems. Interested individuals can call Blue Sky Ranch to inquire about services on their own. Medicaid is accepted, as well as some commercial insurances. For those who are uninsured and cannot afford to pay, Blue Sky Ranch will work with you regardless. NO ONE is turned down.
Payments Accepted
Medicaid, Commercial Insurance, Self Pay
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
701 N. Fairview
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
505-980-2584
Short Description
Blue Sky Ranch offers equine therapy for all populations. There are groups that work with people with substance abuse and mental health issues. They also give horseback riding lessons, which they offer scholarships for. Blue Sky Ranch is certified in Eagala therapy, which is a ground-based therapy.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
No eligibility requirements.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
230 N. 3rd St.
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
575-445-8071
Short Description
Colfax County Extension Office conducts programs aimed at the following issues:
Youth Programs
Natural Resources
Production Agriculture and Urban Horticulture
Nutrition, Food Safety and Health
Community and Economic Development
See website for English and Spanish brochure containing program details.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Eligibility/Ages: No first-time parent requirements. Enroll prenatal until child is 5 years old.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
116 S. 3rd St.
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
(575) 445-8191
Short Description
Youth Empowerment Services is a program that offers home visiting for families in Colfax and Union Counties in New Mexico.
Home visiting is a free service offered to pregnant women and families with children from 0-5. The home visitors offer non-judgmental support for your family and help prepare parents to cope with the everyday stressors associated with the transition to parenting, which are inevitable when a new baby enters your family. We work with other community organizations to help parents navigate the systems that are available to reduce those stressors. This leaves more time and energy for the joys of parenting as the family builds a relationship with their child.
M-F 8 AM - 5 PM
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Children birth to age 5.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
Raton Rotary Charities (Affiliate office)
1210 North 1st Street
Raton, NM 87740
87740, 87747, 87728
Phone
575-707-3651
Short Description
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income. Sign up online (website available in English and Spanish). The Imagination Library includes some bilingual (English/Spanish) books for children living in the U.S., and are always working to expand that selection.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Kids 16-24 years old. There is an application required (can be filled out on paper or online). Interviews have to be done in person or via Skype. Phone interviews are not allowed. Kids must be in school or working.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
Location in Raton
87740
Phone
575-758-9595
Short Description
The Transitional Living Program (under the Dream Tree Project) Case Managers help each youth to set their goals and come up with steps to reach those goals. The program includes weekly life skills classes on topics like cooking, shopping, budgeting, and how to shop for a used car.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
No eligibility requirements and NO COST.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English Only
Phone
618-335-7282
Short Description
Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Colfax County is a program of the New Mexico Department of Health. The program works with state and local partners to increase opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity where children and families live, learn, play, and work. Check the Facebook page linked below to see upcoming opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity in and around Colfax County.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Under 18 years old.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
Statewide
Phone
1-575-636-3636 or SMS text messages at 636-3636
Short Description
KidTalk offers children someone to talk to, and provides a safe place for a child to reach out where someone will listen and offer non-judgmental unconditional support. This service empowers and provides resources for children to take control of their circumstances and have a role in overcoming their concerns (Bullying, Family issues; divorce, separation, etc., Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Sexuality and facts of life, Pregnancy, Problems with friends and relationships, Smoking, alcohol, and drugs). Daily Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 3pm to 10pm, Friday 3pm to 10pm, Saturday 10am to Midnight and Sunday 10am to 10pm.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Children 3-5 years old.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
1634 University Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Statewide
Phone
1-800-691-9067
Short Description
New Mexico PreK is a voluntary, free program that gives children between the ages of 3 to 5 the opportunity to attend a high-quality, early childhood education program before entering kindergarten.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Who can apply: Any parent or legal guardian who is working, going to school, actively looking for a job, or participating in a job training program who needs help with child care expenses. The applicant applying for child care assistance must also be a resident of the state of New Mexico.
Eligibility and copayments are determined by gross monthly income and family size. Household expenses or income deductions are not considered.
Payments Accepted
Self Pay
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
2518 Ridgerunner Rd
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Statewide
Phone
(505) 425-2832 x1301
Short Description
The Child Care Assistance Program subsidizes the cost of child care for families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level that are working and/or in school. Child Care Assistance helps income-eligible families pay a portion of child care costs while they work, attend school or training programs, job search or other eligible qualifying activities.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Children must be under the age of three and be a resident of New Mexico to be eligible for the FIT Program. Upon referral, the FIT Program will conduct a comprehensive multidisciplinary developmental evaluation to determine the child’s eligibility based on one or more of the following criteria:
Developmental Delay, Established Medical Condition, Medical/Biological Risk, Environmental Risk. Anyone who has a concern about a child’s development can make a referral. This includes parents, guardians, foster parents and family members, professionals such as pediatricians, other physicians, social workers, nurses, home visitors, childcare providers, or others who have contact with the child. A service coordinator (case manager) is assigned to the family and will meet with them. The service coordinator will coordinate evaluation and assessment activities to determine eligibility. The evaluation will look at the child’s abilities in all developmental areas.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
2518 Ridgerunner Rd.
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Statewide
Phone
1-877-696-1472 or (505) 425-2832 x1301 for Raton field office
Short Description
FIT Program is a statewide program that provides home and community based early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Early intervention provides therapy and developmental services, that are family focused and teach families activities and strategies to promote their child's development throughout the day at home and in other settings. An individualized plan is developed with the family regarding the services they will receive.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Pregnant women and children from birth to 3 years of age are eligible for Early Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff, and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well. Other factors taken into consideration include: disabilities, family member in the military, and developmental delays.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
1144 Jones St.
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
575-445-0308
Short Description
Early Head Start provides pregnant women, infants, and toddlers from at-risk backgrounds with high-quality education and care during the most rapid and influential period of brain development. Early Head Start serves as a buffer to prevent and address childhood trauma, hunger, poor health, and other outcomes associated with growing up in poverty.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Pregnant women and children from birth to 3 years of age are eligible for Early Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff, and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well. Other factors taken into consideration include: disabilities, family member in the military, and developmental delays.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
1124 Jones St.
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
575-445-0308
Short Description
Early Head Start provides pregnant women, infants, and toddlers from at-risk backgrounds with high-quality education and care during the most rapid and influential period of brain development. Early Head Start serves as a buffer to prevent and address childhood trauma, hunger, poor health, and other outcomes associated with growing up in poverty.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Children who are 3 to 5 years old are eligible for Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff, and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well. Other factors taken into consideration include: disabilities, family member in the military, and developmental delays.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
1104 Jones St.
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
575-445-2267
Short Description
Head Start is a community-based, comprehensive early education program that gives young children from at-risk backgrounds the skills they need to be successful in school and life.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Pregnant women and children from birth to 3 years of age are eligible for Early Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff, and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well. Other factors taken into consideration include: disabilities, family member in the military, and developmental delays.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
1401 8th St.
Springer, 87747
87747
Phone
575-483-3400
Short Description
Early Head Start provides pregnant women, infants, and toddlers from at-risk backgrounds with high-quality education and care during the most rapid and influential period of brain development. Early Head Start serves as a buffer to prevent and address childhood trauma, hunger, poor health, and other outcomes associated with growing up in poverty.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Children who are 3 to 5 years old are eligible for Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff, and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well. Other factors taken into consideration include: disabilities, family member in the military, and developmental delays.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
206 ½ Miranda St.
Springer, NM 87747
87747
Phone
575-483-5556
Short Description
Head Start is a community-based, comprehensive early education program that gives young children from at-risk backgrounds the skills they need to be successful in school and life.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Children age 18 years and under may receive free meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). A person 19 years of age and over who has a mental or physical disability (as determined by a State or local educational agency) and who participates during the school year in a public or private non-profit school program (established for the mentally or physically disabled) is also eligible to receive free meals.
In addition to meeting the stated age requirements, all potential participants must be at the meal site (meal service location), and in the serving line to be eligible for free SFSP meals. All meals are served on a first come, first served basis. There is no discrimination during the course of the meal service. NO NEED TO ENROLL; just show up!
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Address
Multiple, see below.
87740
Phone
1-800-EAT COOL
Short Description
The Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) is administered on the Federal level by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The primary purpose of the SFSP is to provide food service to children from needy areas during periods when area schools are closed for vacation.
Free summer meals at the following sites:
Raton High School (1550 Tiger Circle, Raton NM):
Breakfast and Lunch Days: M,T,W,Th
Breakfast and Lunch Dates: 06/13/2022 - 07/28/2022
Breakfast Times: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Times: 10:30AM-12:30 PM
Longfellow Elementary (700 E 4th, Raton NM):
Breakfast and Lunch Days: M,T,W,Th
Breakfast and Lunch Dates: 06/13/2022 - 07/28/2022
Breakfast Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Times: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Raton Intermediate School (500 South 3rd Street, Raton NM):
Breakfast and Lunch Days: M,T,W,Th
Breakfast and Lunch Dates: 06/13/2022 - 07/28/2022
Breakfast Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Times: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Columbian Elementary/Romero Park (700 N 2nd Street, Raton NM):
Breakfast and Lunch Days: M,T,W,Th
Breakfast and Lunch Dates: 06/13/2022 - 07/28/2022
Breakfast Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Times: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
None.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English & Spanish
Address
100 Court Street
Clayton NM, 88415
88415
Phone
575-374-9361
Short Description
Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Agents work through 4-H clubs, extension homemakers, agricultural groups,
public school and other organizations, and individuals who express interest
in the services offered.
Specializes in …
• Ranch management
• 4-H and youth development
• Family health and consumer support
• Union County Health Fair
Brochure in Spanish on website.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Many services do require a referral from the courts, such as for a court appointed supervised visitation. Fee for supervised visitation and safe exchange is on a sliding scale depending on income and is paid by the clients out-of-pocket. All other programs are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.
Payments Accepted
No Cost, Self Pay
Language(s) spoken
English Only
Address
116 S. 3rd St
Raton, NM 87740
87740
Phone
575-445-2400
Short Description
Youth Heartline provides a variety of services including supervised visitation and safe exchanges (parents can have meetings with their children in the Youth Heartline offices) that allow parents to bond with their children in a safe space and help for child victims of domestic violence. Youth Heartline runs a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program that provides court advocates for children who are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. There is also Northeast NM Youth Housing Program that offers housing to homeless youth, as well as education, job placement, life skills, case management, and drug testing for nonviolent youth. Youth Heartline does street outreach in Union and Colfax counties to connect with homeless adults, provide them with basic needs, and act as abridge between them and other services. In COLFAX county ONLY, there is the Family Empowerment program in which a coordinator conducts a monthly meeting with a family to build communication and connection within the family unit. Everything but the Family Empowerment program serves individuals in BOTH COLFAX and UNION counties.
Name of organization and/or program
Eligibility information
Ages 9-17.
Payments Accepted
No Cost
Language(s) spoken
English Only
Address
207 Park Avenue
Raton, New Mexico 87740
87740
Phone
(575) 445-9558
Short Description
ZIA Youth is a safe place for young people, age 9-17, to hang out on Saturdays and after school Mondays-Fridays. Meet friends. Make new ones! Grab a snack. Learn new skills. Everything is FREE!
Monday thru Thursday: 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Friday and Saturday: 1:30-6:30

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