New Mexico

Family Empowerment Representatives

Family Empowerment Representatives are volunteers who provide emotional support, information and resources to families affected by Rett syndrome. Contacting them should be your first step.

National Family Empowerment Representative

Samantha Brant – Family & Community Engagement Manager, International Rett Syndrome Foundation
[email protected]  1-913-221-8157

Family Empowerment Representative

Alicia Cortez, volunteer Family Empowerment Representative
[email protected] 1-505-429-2221

Treatment and Research Centers

Your child may be able to participate in studies and trials to advance treatment and knowledge of Rett syndrome. There are clinics specializing in Rett syndrome that can help you provide Rett-specific care for your child.

Clinical Trials

Rett syndrome clinical trials are available at various stages in the process. Please visit our Clinical Trial page for current enrollment status.

Clinics

Rett Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado

The Rett Clinic at Children’s Colorado was established in 2011 thanks to a generous gift from the Rocky Mountain Rett Association. Many doctors and specialists come together to provide coordinated care and convenience for the child and family (about 14 providers are at the first appointment).

The Rett Clinic is located in the Multidisciplinary Clinic at Children’s Colorado, which means that the doctors and specialists come directly to the patient and family (and not the other way around) to provide streamlined care for children with complex needs.  The clinic is led by Director, Dr. Tim Benke. For appointments, contact Tristen Dinkel, RN, Clinic Coordinator at [email protected] or call 720-777-4363.

Watch the Colorado Clinic video.

State Agencies & Resources

Local Service Agencies

Yes to New Mexico (YesNM)

Visit Yes to New Mexico Website
1-800-283-4465
YesNM is a website to help quickly check eligibility and apply for or renew public assistance programs.

Human Services Department (HSD)

Visit Human Services Department (HSD) Website

The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 1,022,395 New Mexicans through several programs.

This is your portal to quickly and easily apply, check, update, or renew for a variety of public assistance programs. Create an account now to apply for and access your status for various benefits such as:

  •  Medical Assistance(Medicaid)
  •  Food Assistance(SNAP)
  •  Cash Assistance(TANF)
  •  Energy Assistance(LIHEAP)

State Medicaid

Centennial Care Program

Visit Centennial Care Program Website 
1-800-283-4465
Centennial Care is the name of the New Mexico Medicaid program. Centennial Care began on January 1, 2014 with services provided by four managed care organizations (MCOs). These services include physical health, behavioral health, long-term care and community benefits.

Eligibility for all Medicaid programs requires that individuals meet certain federal guidelines. These include citizenship, residency and income requirements.
To apply for Centennial Care Medicaid, check eligibility, or enroll in or switch your managed care organization (MCO), visit the YesNM Online Portal.

Developmentally Disabled Waiver (DD Waiver)

Visit Developmentally Disabled Waiver (DD Waiver) Website
The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver program also known in New Mexico as the “traditional DD waiver” is designed to provide Services and Supports that assist eligible children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to participate as active members of their communities. The DD Waiver is one of several waivers available in New Mexico.

DD Waiver Eligibility Determination & Application

Visit DD Waiver Eligibility Determination & Application
505-350-0034
505-470-5825
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet the definition of developmental disability in accordance with New Mexico Administrative Code NMAC 8.290.4 are eligible for the DD Waiver. In general, to match the definition of a developmental disability the individual must:

  • Have an Intellectual Disability, onset by age 18 or
  • A specific related condition and
  • Have significant limitations in at least 3 areas of major life activity that began prior to age 22.

Medically Fragile Waiver (MF Waiver)

Visit Medically Fragile Waiver (MF Waiver) Website
505-272-2910
800-675-2910

In New Mexico, children who have a high level of dependence on medical technology such as ventilators, tracheostomies, oxygen, feeding tubes, dialysis, intravenous medication and require total care for all their daily needs are identified as medically fragile.

Medically Fragile Case Management Program (MFCMP), the Medically Fragile Waiver, and community services support families in their decision to care for their child who is medically fragile in their home.

Home and Community-Based Services Waiver application 

Visit Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Application Website
Mi Via Self-Directed Waiver
505-476-8840

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched its first self-directed Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program, named Mi Via. Mi Via, which means “my path”, “my way” or “my road”, is designed to assist you in managing your own services and supports to live your best life.

Education

Public Education Department, Special Education Bureau

Visit Public Education Department, Special Education Bureau Website
The Special Education Division provides support to districts, parents and students with disabilities to ensure outcomes of a free appropriate public education for students protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Developing Quality IEP's Technical Assistance Manual

Visit Developing Quality IEP’s Technical Assistance Manual Website
This manual is published by the New Mexico Public Education Department to help families with the IEP process.

Making Placement Decisions in the Least Restrictive Environment

Visit Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment

Primer on the Provision of Extended School Year Services for Parents and Educators

Visit Primer on the Provision of Extended School Year Services for Parents and Educators PDF

Graduation Options for Students with Disabilities Technical Assistance Manual

Visit Graduation Options for Students with Disabilities Technical Assistance Manual Website
This manual was developed by the New Mexico Public Education Department to help school staff and families with the transition process.

NM Technical Evaluation and Assessment Manual: Determining Eligibility for IDEA Part B Special Education Services

Visit NM Technical Evaluation and Assessment Manual: Determining Eligibility for IDEA Part B Special Education Services

Part B refers to Assistance for Education of all children (age three up to twenty-two) with disabilities.

NM Guidance: Children Transitioning from IDEA Part C to Part B

Visit NM Guidance: Children Transitioning from IDEA Part C to Part B

The intent of the manual is to provide relevant information for early childhood providers (Part C and Part B) so they can assist and support families in navigating from one service system to the next. Part B refers to Assistance for Education of all children (age three up to twenty-two) with disabilities. Part C refers to services for infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth to three) or risk for developmental delay and their families.

Special Education Transportation: A Primer for Parents and Educators

Visit Special Education Transportation: A Primer for Parents and Educators

NM Local Education Agency (LEA) Responsibilities Regarding Child Find for Preschool Students who Reside on a Reservation within LEA Jurisdiction

Visit NM Local Education Agency (LEA) Responsibilities Regarding Child Find for Preschool Students who Reside on a Reservation within LEA Jurisdiction

“Child Find” is the affirmative, ongoing obligation of states and local districts to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing within the jurisdiction who are in need of special education and related services.

There are many children in New Mexico (Birth to age 5) who reside on a Reservation within an LEA’s Jurisdiction. This document provides guidance as to who is responsible for providing special education services, reporting to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and ensuring that Child Find is carried out for those children.

Conservatorship

NM Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

Visit NM Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
Office of Guardianship
(505) 841-4519

The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s (DDPC) Office of Guardianship (OOG) is a statewide publicly funded program for New Mexican adults who need a Guardian, are income eligible, and are alleged to be incapacitated.

New Mexico Conservatorship Forms

Visit New Mexico Conservatorship Forms Website

Transition to Adult Services

NM Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

Visit NM Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
Center for Self-Advocacy Program
(505) 841-4519

The New Mexico Center for Self Advocacy is a place where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities go to meet, organize, work and train others on how to improve their quality of life. Our goal is to help and support people with developmental disabilities in becoming empowered, making their own decisions, speaking up for themselves and others, taking control of their own lives, creating awareness about disability issues and achieving maximum independence and quality of life.

NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Visit NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

ABLE NM

Visit ABLE NM

  • Offering ABLE Accounts to New Mexicans with disabilities
  • Tax-free savings plan for disability-related expenses
  • Save and invest without losing federal needs-based benefits

Handicap Placard

DMV New Mexico 

DMV New Mexico Website
Information on how to obtain a handicap placard in the state of New Mexico.

Download Placard Application Form
Use this form to apply for a handicap placard in New Mexico.

If you have favorite resources to share with others, please email that information and your experience to [email protected].

Legal Resources & Information

The ARC of New Mexico

Visit The ARC of New Mexico Website
1-800-358-6493
(505) 883-4630

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Disability Rights NM

Disability Rights New Mexico Website
3916 Juan Tabo Blvd., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Office:  (505) 256-3100
Fax: (505) 256-3184

Disability Rights New Mexico – DRNM – is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, promote and expand the rights of persons with disabilities. We are the designated protection and advocacy program for New Mexico, and as such we have authority under federal law to pursue legal, administrative and other remedies on behalf of persons with disabilities.

Additional Resources

New Mexico IRSF Families Facebook page

Click and ask to join!

Parents Reaching Out

Visit Parents Reaching Out Website
Main Office: 2501 Yale Blvd SE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87106
(800) 524-5176 or (505) 247-0192

Parents Reaching Out provides case-by-case care for families. It is a non-profit organization that works with parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals to promote healthy, positive and caring experiences for families and children.

Rocky Mountain Rett Association

Visit Rocky Mountain Rett Association Website
The Rocky Mountain Rett Association (RMRA) was founded for three reasons; to fund research for the development of treatments & cures for Rett Syndrome and related MeCP2 disorders, to support families suffering from Rett, and to raise awareness for Rett Syndrome.

Rocky Mountain Rett Association
PO Box 1294
Morrison, Colorado 80465
(720) 234-7673
[email protected]

EPICS NM

Visit EPICS NM Website
888-499-2070

EPICS is a Community Parent Resource Center serving families who have Native American children with disabilities or developmental delays in NM, including those with special healthcare needs, and the professionals that work with them.