State seeks particular training volunteers for college districts
“I am a parent, I and my wife have a son. That’s a junior high school now and he has autism, ”said Valentine Anaya, parent.
Anaya said his family worked with several special educators and teachers for years.
“We start anew every year. And I think my problem was, especially for children with autism, they need some kind of persistence. So that we know what we will come back to in the next year. We know who all the players, basically the same team, are navigating him through his 12 years of schooling and that has yet to happen to him, ”she said.
The state’s new special education ombudswoman and her office, which opened December 1, are committed to helping with these concerns.
“Creating opportunities for children to break down these barriers within the school system through special needs education and give them the opportunity to do their best and be who they want to be in their lives,” said Michelle Tregembo, Ombudsman for Special Education.
She currently works with nearly two dozen families. The aim is, however, that there is at least one ombudsman in each district, which is why volunteers are sought.
“We are developing a very rigorous training certification program, and we also have regular support for your ongoing support case management,” said Alice Liu McCoy, executive director of the New Mexico Development Disabilities Planning Council.
“You have to come with passion to help children. But otherwise we will train them, ”said Tregembo.
Because the program focuses on the students.
“It primarily prioritizes the needs of the students and puts the perspective of the family and the students first. I think that’s really missing here, ”said Liu McCoy.
