ADMITTANCE GUIDELINES

El Ranchito de los Niños is a long term to permanent home for children whose families are unable to provide the care needed for them to grow into independent, responsible adults. At minimum, Power of Attorney will be required for admission to the home. All potential applicants will be screened by a committee as to the appropriateness of children placed in the home based on the following criteria:

  • Children for whom El Ranchito de los Niños would be appropriate
    • Boys and girls between 0-18 years of age.
    • Children of any race, ethnicity, educational background, and religious background.
    • Children needing long term to permanent care.
  • El Ranchito de los Niños may be able to accommodate
    • Children with mild behavioral/emotional problems.
    • Children with mild or moderate learning disabilities.
    • Children who would benefit from a regulated and scheduled routine.
  • Children for whom El Ranchito de los Niños would not be appropriate
    • Children who have severe emotional/behavioral problems.
    • Children with a history of hurting animals, a pattern of violent behavior, or deviate sexual conduct.
    • Children with severe learning problems that would prevent attendance at public schools.
    • Children who have neurological impairments.
    • Children exhibiting a history of suicidal behavior or ideation.
    • Children charged with or having committed an adult crime, i.e. assault, rape, murder, weapon offense.
    • Children who are chemically dependent or who use or distribute any controlled substance.
    • Children whose medical condition might require specialized treatment or care on a twenty-four hour basis.
    • Children with physical or mental disabilities severe enough to require assistance to perform daily personal    functions, i.e. feeding, dressing, toileting, moving from place to place, etc. (except for infants)

The above conditions are guidelines for admission and should not limit persons from inquiring about the possibility of placement at El Ranchito de los Niños. The guidelines are not an attempt to prevent any group of children from participation in the program, but rather to define the specific capabilities of the program, staff, and facilities to meet the needs of children within the guidelines defined above. Because of the ratio of staff members to children we are unable to serve children needing frequent specialized care.

Thank you for your interest in El Ranchito de los Niños. To refer a child please fill in the referral form.
    P. O. Box 2400    Los Lunas, New Mexico.   87031
Telephone: (505) 565-4470   Fax: (505) 866-9527
 E-mail:

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