Foster, adoptive
parenting orientation set for Thursday
The public is invited to a free orientation at 6 p.m. Thursday to learn about foster and adoptive parenting opportunities with New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.  The orientation will be held at the local CYFD office at 107 W. Aber.
There is a high need for more foster parents in Quay County.  CYFD staff will be available at the orientation to give information and answer questions about how to become a licensed foster or adoptive parent.
For more information,  call Renee Fitts at ( 575) 624-6071, ext. 124, or email renee.fitts@state.nm.us. For general foster/adoptive parenting information 24 hours,  call the CYFD toll-free at 1-800-432-2075 or visit  http://www.cyfd.org.  Use the “quick links” on the front page of the web site to find information about foster/adoptive parenting.   

Head Start offers
children’s programs
Two Head Start programs are available for pregnant women and infants, and for children up to age 4 through the Eastern Plains Community Action Agency in Tucumcari. They are:
l Eastern Plains Early Head Start
Early Head Start is a program that serves low-income pregnant women and serves infants and toddlers up to age three.  Early Head Start works with families to ensure that the developmental needs of each child are met and offers special services for children with disabilities.
l Eastern Plains Head Start
Head Start is a preschool program that serves three- and four-year-old children from low-income families. Head Start helps all children succeed and offers special services for children with disabilities.

Both of the programs:
l Encourage parent participation and recognize the parent as the child’s first teacher.
l Offer fun, educational, and developmentally appropriate activities.
l Provide children with healthy meals and snacks.
l Provide free medical and dental care.
For more information or to receive an application for either program, call 461-1914. Visit 210 West Center St. or call 461-9807. To visit Early Head Start, got to 1608 South Rock Island. Additional information is also available on the Web stie: www.epcaa.org/headstart.

Newspaper recognized by press association
The Quay County Sun was recognized for its photography, feature writing and special section production at the 98th annual Panhandle Press Association convention last weekend in Amarillo.
The staff earned three honorable mentions for:
l Feature writing, Thomas Garcia
l Special Edition, Route 66 2007, Chelle Delaney and Thomas Garcia
l Spot news photography, Chelle Delaney