Rio Arriba County Early Childhood Coalition (RACECC)

Coordinator – RJ Martinez ( rj@lanlfoundation.org)
FDP Coaches – Christian Soto, Janelle Garcia Cole
Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/RACECC1

Before you can transform a system, you need to understand how the system functions. RACECC, Rio Arriba County Early Childhood Collaborative, was founded on the idea of transformation, the transformation of a community, and the transformation of the early childhood ecosystem. RACCEC is determined to change how we care for young children while honoring the traditions of community and families. RACCEC includes but is not limited to, EC professionals, parents, caregivers, social workers, and business owners. Rio Arriba County spans 6,000 square miles and has a population of 40,000, all spread out in the picturesque area of northern New Mexico. RACCEC is one of 16 coalitions funded by the State's Early Childhood Education and Early Care Department (ECECD). However, the origins of RACCEC began before ECECD, an idea within the Los Alamos National Labs Foundation. The coalition developed in the Española area in 2018 and has grown to include RACCEC North, covering areas such as Dulce and Tierra Amarilla. RJ Martinez, the coalition coordinator, has seen RACCEC grow and thrive in his near decade at the helm. He facilitates meetings, connects members to resources, distributes a newsletter, and manages the budget. However, he will say that his most important responsibility is advocating for children. RJ has a small but mighty team at the LANL Foundation that shares his vision for Rio Arriba and New Mexico.

The roots are deep in northern New Mexico--there is a rich culture of family and tradition that is evident at the monthly RACCEC North and South meetings. This community pride does not always align with the way the state is viewed nationwide. "We are tired of hearing that New Mexico is ranked last in the country for children," one RACCEC member expressed. "Come to my community! See the kids laughing and playing. We have healthy children playing outside, reading and writing, and visiting their cousins and grandparents. This is what childhood looks like here." Every child deserves to be a child, and RACCEC is building bridges, tearing down silos, and supporting families to ensure this possibility. The transformation can be slow and difficult, but the outcome is priceless.