St. Joseph Community Health

Embracing Early Childhood Development New Mexico ranks 43rd in childrens well-being according to a national reporting system, Kids Count, based on 10 indicators: low birth weight, infant mortality, child mortality, teen death rate, teen birth rate, high school dropout rate, teens not working or in school, underemployed parents, children living in poverty and children in single-parent families. Our organization is being called to risk a caring response in relationship with others to be a healing and nurturing ministry for our youngest citizens. Research has shown that 80% of the brain architecture develops between the ages of 0 and 5 years and early experiences determine whether a childs developing brain architecture provides a strong or weak foundation for all future learning, behavior and health. We want to insure that children are able or enabled to (1) develop and realize their potential; (2) satisfy their needs; and (3) develop the capacities that allow them to interact ...