History
At the invitation of the NM Department of Health and the Children, Youth and Families Department, the New Mexico Infant Mental Health Collaborative Committee formed in 2001. The committee included state agency staff, as well as participants from two- and four-year institutions of higher education, early care and education, health care, mental health, early intervention, public schools, Head Start, parent advocacy, and other fields.  This diverse committee met throughout 2002 and developed a Strategic Plan for Infant Mental Health in New Mexico. The strategic plan was published and presented to the NM legislature in January, 2003. The plan offers a systematic approach to a healthier future for New Mexico’s infants and their families. The committee chose to form a non-profit organization to guide the implementation of the strategic plan. The New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health (NMAIMH), a 501(c)(3), private, non-profit, professional membership organization, incorporated in 2004 and was granted non-profit status in 2006.

Mission
The New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health (NMAIMH) promotes and supports healthy development and nurturing relationships for all infants and young children in New Mexico. NMAIMH provides a forum for interdisciplinary collaboration by advocating for the application of infant mental health principles in services for infants, young children and caregivers.

Board of Directors
Policies of NMAIMH are established by a volunteer Board of Directors, that controls and manages the policies, property, affairs and funds of the organization; determines compliance with NMAIMH’s stated purposes; and fills vacancies among the officers who are appointed by the Board. Elected Directors serve two-year terms. Terms begin January 1 and end on December 31 of the following year. Elections are held each December following a nomination process that results in a slate of candidates that address Board priorities regarding diverse membership. Nominations for Director-candidates are sought through the NMAIMH members' listserv and other means of communication.

2010 Officers / Executive Committee
President
Joe DeBonis, MA, LPCC
UNM Center for Development and Disability
Albuquerque, NM

Vice President
Judson Kusy, LPCC, IMH-E® IV
Tresco Inc., TOTS
Las Cruces, NM

Treasurers
Holly Harrison, Ph.D
UNM Center for Development and Disability, Early Childhood Learning Network
Training Consultant
Albuqerque, NM

Gabriela Miller
Samaritan Counselong Services
Albuqerque, NM

Secretaries
Angel Toyota-Sharpe, LPCC, RPT-S, IMH-E® IV
Clinical Director
Western New Mexico University Family Counseling Center
Silver City, NM

Diana Edwards, Ph.D, LPCC
Teacher, Mental Health Counselor
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Endorsement Chair
Doreen A. Sansom, LBSW, IMH-E® II
Interim Chairperson
Santa Fe, NM

Directors 2010:
Stephanie Becenti-Pino
Case Management Specialist / DS II
Laguna, NM

Tara Ford, J.D.
Co-Director, Pegasus Legal Services for Children
Albuquerque, NM

Deborah Harris, LISW, IME® IV
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation & Training
Santa Fe, NM

David Montoya
Children, Youth and Families Department, Protective Services
Rio Rancho, NM

Karan Northfield
Quality Improvement Manager
Human Services Department, Behavioral; Health Services Department
Santa Fe, NM

Partice Perrault
Bureau Chief, Youth Services Division
Children, Youth, and Families Department
Santa Fe, NM

Wendy Sager-Evanson, RN, LMT
Health Educator
Coordinator, Sierra County Health Council
Truth or Consequences, NM

Debbie Sanchez, BUS, RIMHC, IMH-E® II
Co-Executive Director
PB&J Family Services, Inc.
Albuquerque, NM

Committees

The NMAIMH activities are accomplished through the volunteer support of committees that are appointed by the Board of Directors. Directors and NMAIMH members serve on committees. For more information on serving on a committee, write to info@nmaimh.org or call (505) 331-7138 and leave a voicemail message about your interest.

Standing Committees

• Executive Committee - Joe DeBonis, Chair
• Nominating Committee - Deborah Harris, Chair

Current Special Committees

• Membership -Joe DeBonis and Holly Harrison, Co-Chairs
• Endorsement - Doreen Sansom, Interim Chair
• Fund Development, Deborah Harris, Chair

Collaboration

The NMAIMH works to facilitate, support and encourage cooperation, coordination and collaboration among those concerned with promoting the optimal development of infants, toddlers and families. Collaborative relationships form the heart of the NMAIMH.
 
Current Collaborations include:

• Early Childhood Action Network (ECAN) Governor-appointed member of the Steering Committee
• Early Childhood Alliance
• NM Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Intervention Annual Conference
• NM Family Infant Toddler Interagency Coordinating Council Infant Mental Health Committee
• Member of the "League of States" licensed to use the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health (in collaboration with AZ,CT, ID, MI, MN, KS, OK, TX, WI).