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.c3, private, non-profit, professional membership organization, incorporated in 2004 and was granted non-profit status in 2006.
Please read our 2008 Annual Report for information about our recent accomplishments.
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.
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 1st and end on December 31st 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.
2009 Officers / Executive Committee
President
Deborah Harris, LISW, IMH-E® IV
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation & Training
Santa Fe, NM
debharris@newmexico.com
Vice President, Treasurer
Harrie Freedman, RN, MS, IMH-E® IV
Senior Program Manager
UNM Center for Development and Disability
Albuquerque, NM
hfreedman@salud.unm.edu
Assistant Treasurer
Carmela Alcon, LMSW
Children, Youth and Families Department
Protective Services
Los Alamos / Rio Arriba Counties
Secretary
Angel Toyota-Sharpe, LPCC, RPT-S, IMH-E® IV
Clinical Director
Western New Mexico University Family Counseling Center
Silver City, NM
toyotasharpea@wnmu.edu
Assistant Secretary
Jonah Garcia, LISW
Program Director
La Clinica de Familia Healthy Start Program
Las Cruces, NM
(575) 524-0767
Director-at-Large
Judson Kusy, LPCC, IMH-E® IV
Tresco Inc., TOTS
Las Cruces, NM
jkusy@trescomail.org
Directors 2009:
Stephanie Becenti-Pino
Case Management Specialist / DS II
Laguna, NM
spino2009@gmail.com
Jane C. Clarke, Ph.D, SLP, IMH-E® IV
Santa Fe, NM
clarke34@msn.com
Joe DeBonis, MA, LPCC, Co-Chair - Membership Committee
UNM Center for Development and Disability, Preschool Network
Albuquerque, NM
jdebonis@salud.unm.edu
Tara Ford, J.D.
Co-Director, Pegasus Legal Services for Children
Albuquerque, NM
tford@pegasuslaw.org
Holly Harrison, Ph.D, Co-Chair - Membership Committee
UNM Center for Development and Disability, Early Childhood Learning Network
Training Consultant
Albuqerque, NM
hharrison@salud.unm.edu
David Montoya
Children, Youth and Families Department, Protective Services
Rio Rancho, NM
Debbie Sanchez, BUS, RIMHC, IMH-E® II
Co-Executive Director
PB&J Family Services, Inc.
Albuquerque, NM
debbies@pbjfamilyservices.org
Doreen A. Sansom, LBSW, IMH-E® II, Interim Chair- Endorsement Committee
Santa Fe, NM
doreensansom@hotmail.com
Jacqui Van Horn, MPH, IMH-E® IV
The Parent-Infant Study Center
Albuquerque, NM
jacquivanhorn@comcast.net
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
Current Special Committees
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).
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