Released: January 25, 2024
Statewide program is based at Early Childhood Center of Excellence at SFCC
Mayra A. Gutierrez, First Born® and More Model Office Director
Santa Fe Community College announces Mayra A. Gutierrez is the new director of the state model office First Born® and More, based in the Early Childhood Center of Excellence (ECCOE) at the college.
First Born® and More is a home visiting program and curriculum that supports families with children ages prenatal to five. The program’s mission is to increase the health and wellness of women who are pregnant, families parenting children (ages 0-5) and families adopting their first baby. Housed at SFCC’s Early Childhood Center of Excellence, the program provides statewide training, curriculum, technical assistance, and licensing of First Born® Programs throughout New Mexico and nationally. Based on the belief that well-supported families are the foundation of healthy communities, First Born® focuses on strong relationships and health in the early years.
Director of the Early Childhood Center of Excellence Catron Allred said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mayra Gutierrez to the Early Childhood Center of Excellence (ECCOE) at Santa Fe Community College as the director of the state model office for First Born® and More. Mayra brings extensive experience in home visiting at the state level to her role as director that will continue to elevate First Born® and More as New Mexico’s premier universal home-visiting program for all families with children newborn to age 5.
Gutierrez brings a wealth of experience in early childhood education, as well as a strong community-based perspective after a decade of work with the Partnership for Community Action, along with state government experience with the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD).
“I am delighted to join SFCC and support the growth and development of the First Born® and More model, as well as the Institute for Innovative Family Programs,” Gutierrez said. As the mother of two boys – a two-and-a-half-year-old and seven-month-old, she understands the importance of her position.
Mayra A. Gutierrez bio:
Mayra A. Gutierrez was born and raised in the state of California. She was the first member of her family to graduate from high school and attend a four-year university. She isproud of her heritage, language and roots. Her family comes from the Southwest of Mexico from the state of Jalisco and city of Ocotlan. It is through the years she spent visiting her grandparents in Mexico that she learned the power that exists in living and working in community.
She graduated in 2011 from the University of New Mexico (UNM) with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics. She continued to expand her education by taking population health and education leadership courses at UNM and New Mexico Highland University. Education has been her inspiration and the vehicle of how she has been able to mentor, open pathways for others, and serve and give back to her community.
Gutierrez has worked in early childhood education since 2012. Has ten plus years of experience working in the non-profit sector and three and half years in state government. She has dedicated her professional career to working in hard-to-reach communities. Her professional experience ranges from non-profit administration, community organizing, family engagement, grant management, program, and leadership development.
Most recently, Gutierrez led the Family Support and Early Intervention Division, one of three divisions with the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). As Division Director she was instrumental in increasing provider rates for home visiting and early intervention service providers in New Mexico. She brought new evidence-based home visitation models to support families with diverse needs and unique experiences. She also expanded the perinatal case management state program, Families FIRST to the Northeast region of the state and strengthened the relationships with New Mexico’s managed care organizations.
In her previous role with Partnership for Community Action, Gutierrez created the first childcare provider network in the South Valley community of Albuquerque, called Educadores para los Niños del Futuro “Educators for the Children of the Future Network.” Through this initiative she worked closely with community childcare providers to get them licensed, trained, and certified in early childhood development and health & safety. This required collaboration with various state and local planning and zoning departments with financial support from various foundations. She is proud to have created a sustainable model that is recognized statewide and highlighted nationally by the Build Initiative.
For more information or an interview, contact Mayra A. Gutierrez via email at mayra.gutierrez@sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1059.
Santa Fe Community College celebrates its 40th Anniversary as the pathway to success for individuals and the community. SFCC provides affordable, high-quality programs that serve the academic, cultural, and economic needs of the community. The college welcomes over 10,000 students per year in credit, noncredit, workforce training, personal enrichment, and adult programs.
A “Best for Vets” and a “Military Friendly” school.
Visit sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1000.
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