History — pasotaos.org

1989

Los Pasos Transition Team formed to assist families in the transition from early intervention programs to public schools. This evolved into the Taos Early Childhood Community Network (TECCN), a formal networking and collaborating body with 60+ members.

2004

TECCN formed the Early Childhood Task Force to identify service gaps and policy needs for early childhood education in Taos.
With funding from the Daniels Fund and technical assistance from Taos Community Foundation, a strategic plan was written. The Early Childhood Task Force was pivotal in securing state funding for the NM Pre-K initiative and First Steps Home visiting Funding in Taos.

2007

Paso a Paso was formed from the Early Childhood Task Force with funding from HRSA’s Office of Rural Health Policy.
Developed Paso Vision, Mission and Philosophy
Piloted Home Visiting that was funded by NM CYFD at Holy Cross Hospital – NOVA Award winner in 2009

2008 – 2012

With a network development grant from HRSA, Paso developed Policies and Procedures about how member organizations worked together and began action committees working on a number of projects

Shared staff training and train-the-trainers in Love & Logic, 1,2,3 Parents!, Infant Massage, CPR/First Aid, EQ, Trauma Stewardship and a Fatherhood Conference. Many of these are continued in our community today.
Piloted original training services to families and agencies that was eventually funded by Children’s Trust Fund at Holy Cross Hospital.
Purchased hearing screening equipment and trained staff of local agencies and doctors’ offices to ensure earlier detection of children with potential hearing delays.
Developed a referral tracking database to be used by member organizations and explored Pathways software.
KRESGE funding in Penasco for Kids First Behavioral Health Project.
Fatherhood Initiative conducted a needs assessment and provided a conference.
Conducted a community needs assessment around creating an early childhood training hub.
Developed a shared hiring procedure to be used by member organizations and the Paso a Paso Network itself.
Through training and technical assistance supported the development of Taos Pueblo’s TIWA Babies Home Visiting program.
Through our intensive work together, we developed a common language around children and families, gained a stronger sense of our partner organization services and increased the variety of our referrals.

2014

Paso began conversations with Las Cumbres about expanding services in Taos County including family navigation.

2015

Las Cumbres funded a Family Navigator for Taos County, initially located at the TTAP office and then at Enos Garcia Elementary.

Paso received an Early Childhood Demonstration Planning grant from the NM CYFD to identify needs and priorities for coordinating early childhood services.

2016

Taos Early Childhood Alliance (TECA) was formed as an action committee of the Paso a Paso Network to meet the needs and priorities identified in the CYFD funded Demonstration Planning Project, including increased access and availability of child care. Conversations began with the Town of Taos about donating space to UNM Taos to be used as additional lab school sites.
With funding from UNM Taos, explored the challenges/leading to declining Early Childhood Education students and workforce.
Brindle Foundation funded UNM Taos to get 18 Paso member direct service providers Endorsed by New Mexico Infant Mental Health Association, including monthly reflective supervision.
In collaboration with the Dolly Parton Foundation, Paso started the Imagination Library to provide developmentally appropriate books to children under 5 years old in Taos County.

2017

Taos School Zone began using the Paso a Paso Network as their model for a local collective impact project.
Reflective supervision continues to member organizations
Collaborative Teacher Institute implemented
TECA receives a letter of support for using town buildings as child care programs and seeks funding for early childhood workforce development grant

2018

2019