Advance compiles a guide for UNM faculty caregivers

advance 0 Comments October 23, 2024

Caregiving can be hard! A fall 2023 survey by Advance at UNM found that faculty feel significant stress from their caregiving roles. This stress is particularly high for faculty who are adult caregivers, who also report particularly low departmental support for their role.

Based on survey results, Advance leaders are working with UNM Human Resources and the Office of Academic Affairs on several recommendations to better support caregivers. They include compiling this guide for faculty on the policies, support and logistics that can help make family responsibilities easier.

Child caregiving resources and information

Happy smiling kids put their hands together

Child care locators and resources

Child care cost assistance information

For those who qualify, there is state assistance with child care costs. The NM Child Care Assistance Program program currently covers the cost of childcare for families earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

Learn more in this overview of the assistance program.
New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families guide to selecting child care
New Mexico Kids website
The UNM Early Childhood Services Center in partnership with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department offer a website with a variety of resources and where parents can:

Search early childhood services, including home visiting programs, registered home child care, early intervention programs, Head Start and Early Head Start, New Mexico Pre-K, and special education preschool.

Search pre-K programs in your area.

Verify that home-based care centers are registered with the state.

Learn about home visiting programs.

Get information on developmental programs and assessments

The site also provides information about safe sleep baby kits, toy lending libraries, and more.
Evaluations of and information about center- and home-based child care
New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) provides evaluations of and information about both center- and home-based child care across the state with its:

FOCUS tiered quality rating system

Child care finder
UNM Children’s Campus
New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department child care finder
City of Albuquerque child care resources

Tired Hispanic caring parents with newborn twins relaxing on sofa

Support and resources for parents

American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)
Resources for expecting parents through age 5
Early Show with Alax

Kids and their parents might enjoy learning about parenting and families from Early Show with Alax.

Alax is an “intergalactic ambassador of care” who is “here to learn all about caring for young children, sharing tips, resources, and programs that support New Mexico families like you!”
NM Autism Society
UNM Health Center for Development and Disability

The UNM Health Center for Development and Disability provides care for children who have speech, movement and cognitive disabilities. Trained specialists at the center help children get the care they need to grow and flourish at home, school and in the world around them.

Services include screening to diagnose a condition and therapy related to challenges with nutrition or communication.

Adult caregiving resources and information

Finding, understanding and paying for adult care

Tips for long-distance caregiving
City and county senior programs and services

Bernalillo County’s Office of Senior and Social Services has programs for senior meals, transportation and health promotion.

The City of Albuquerque offers services and programs for adults ages 50 and older, including social services, recreation and fitness programs, transportation, nutrition services, and volunteer programs.
National and local elder and child care finders

Search the Medicare site for nursing homes.

Search the Medicare site for home health care providers in your area.

Bright Horizons is a national service that offers an elder care finder as well as child care locator.

Care.com also has providers across the country.

The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with local support resources.
New Mexico Aging Services including the Help at Home program
Search public reports about nursing homes in New Mexico
Governor’s Commission on Disability
Sage Advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ elders
Non-Metro New Mexico Area Agency on Aging
So' Tsoh Foundation

The So’ Tsoh Foundation is a non profit organization that creates “pathways to better health by offering innovative solutions for caregivers to have access to behavioral and physical wellness, and quality care to the caregiver and their families. The So’ Tsoh Foundation offers comprehensive programs, specialty services, resources, and support to address general wellness concerns. We utilize an integrated Diné approach that takes into consideration the body, mind, and spirit connection,” according to their website.
UNM Health Senior Health Center

The UNM Health Senior Health Center is a primary care provider for seniors who are 70 or older. Patients can be seen in a clinic, at home, or in assisted living facilities. The center also provides social work and case management as well as a falls prevention clinic.

Adult caregiver support

UNM policies

The Duck Pond on the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico campus with pond, geese, and bridge at sunset

UNM parenting related policies and information

Additional resources

Side view of happy aged mother learning using laptop with help of adult son while sitting on sofa at home

Other resources and research

NASEM report on caregiving in STEMM
Surgeon General’s recent advisories on parenting
Generation Hope's Family U program to support student parents
Legal resources for student parents