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Dear Friends:
Please join the Board of Trustees and staff in welcoming Keryn Bernard-Kriegl as the new Executive Director of the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund.
In choosing Keryn for the position of Executive Director, the Board recognized her 20 years of experience in human services in New Hampshire, both providing direct services to clients and in administrative postions. She comes to our organization with a working knowledge of the range of services available to children and parents in our state.
Keryn is already well known by many of the stakeholders, individuals and organizations across the state that the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund works with, which will speed her transition to leadership and increase the influence and effectiveness of the Trust Fund.
Keryn is well spoken and will represent the NHCTF skillfully at the state and national level. She has vision for the NHCTF and enthusiasm for its mission. Keryn's strategic planning skills will help the Board set goals for the future of the NHCTF.
Welcome aboard, Keryn. We look forward to a long and productive tenure with you as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund. |
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Sincerely,
Peirce Hunter, Board of Trustees Chair
New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund
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2009
Board of Trustees
Deborah Chase, Gilmanton
Melissa Correia, Vice Chair, Manchester
Senator Peggy Gilmour, Hollis
Representative Anne Grassie, Rochester
Courtney H.G. Herz, Esq., Secretary, Hopkinton
Peirce Hunter, M.D., Chair, Bow
Kristina Ickes, Candia
Audrey Knight, MSN,RN, Hopkinton
Senator Bette Lasky, Nashua
Representative Betsy McKinney, Treasurer, Londonderry
Representative Karen Sandra Matheson, Hooksett
Lynne Bartlett Merrill, Past Chair, Ex Officio, Kingston
Malcolm Smith, PhD, CFLE, Durham
Brenda Tibbetts, Colebrook
Staff
Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, MS
Executive Director
Diane Hastings, MS
Special Projects Director
Julie Day, BS
Parent Advocacy Director
Valerie Quinn, BA
Administrative Assistant
Sabrina Harris, BA
UNH Masters Intern-Parent Advocacy
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Meet NHCTF's Executive Director |
Keryn Bernard-Kriegl comes to the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund after many years of working for children and families in New Hampshire. Most recently she was the program director at Families First Health and Support Center and a NHCTF partner in prevention. Keryn worked closely with the Trust Fund on several projects including the Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families, Family Support Outcomes, Family Resource Center Certification, Parent Advocacy, Community Library Project, and Continuous Quality Improvement.
Keryn holds her MS in Family Studies from Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts and a Certificate in Supervisory Skills from the University of New Hampshire where she also received her BS in Leisure Management and Tourism Program Administration. Keryn served as a board member and President of Family Support NH a network of family support agencies that support prevention.
Keryn has served on several other non-profit boards including New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network Steering Committee; Garrison Players Arts Center; and Out and About. Keryn has had many volunteer positions including steward, young church teacher and SPARKS youth group advisor, intergenerational dance committee DJ and house manager.
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A Message from Keryn |
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 I'm excited to get to work on the next developmental phase of the Trust Fund. In addition to supporting our partners in prevention and empowering parents through advocacy, I plan to work with the Board and community members to create environmental strategies and momentum for reducing the number of children affected by child abuse and neglect.
In 2008 the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families received 7,000 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. Child Advocacy Centers interviewed about 1,500 children who were victims of severe physical or sexual abuse. I'm not talking about children overseas or from large cities in other states. These are our children. They live in our neighborhoods and go to school with our kids and attend church with our families.
New Hampshire Children need our protection and their parents' need our support. I hope you'll join with me to strengthen families and keep our kids safe.
--Keryn Bernard-Kriegl |
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President Obama Issues Proclamation
April 2009 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month |
 President Barack Obama has recognized the tragedy of child abuse and the all important role that each of us bears: individuals, communities, government and of course family support organizations in supporting parents and strengthening families. The following is excerpted from the President's proclamation: "When the child next door is maltreated, we all suffer. Every American has a stake in the well-being of our Nation's children. They are members of our communities, and they are our future. National Child Abuse Prevention Month provides the opportunity to underscore our commitment to preventing and responding appropriately to child abuse. This month, we emphasize the importance of understanding child abuse and the need for all Americans to help families overcome this devastating problem...
A well-informed and strong family is the surest defense against child abuse. To help educate and strengthen families, community members can offer their time and counsel to parents and children who may need assistance. For example, parent support groups provide an organized forum for assistance. More informally, community members may simply offer a helping hand to families under stress...
Civic organizations and government also have an important role to play. Civic groups offer essential support through education, assistance to those at risk, and treatment for victims. Government at the local, State, and Federal level must provide funding for services, conduct public education projects, and enforce child abuse laws."
Click here for more information about what families and communities can do. |
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Governor Declares April as Strengthening Families Month |
In a continued show of support for the work of the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund and its partners in keeping children safe and families strong, Governor John Lynch has declared April as Strengthening Families Month in New Hampshire. This underscores the important role that NHCTF and local community organizations play in protecting children and strengthening families by preventing child abuse and neglect.
Governor Lynch proclaimed February as Parent Recognition Month in New Hampshire and participated in the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund Unsung Hero Award ceremony where 28 parents from across the state were recognized. Click here to visit our website to view the pictures and excerpts from the nominations of the award winners.
"I was delighted to attend the Unsung Hero Award Ceremony... It is always wonderful to have this opportunity to take part in recognizing the deserving and outstanding parents of our great state."
--Governor John Lynch
(in an April 8,2009 letter to NHCTF Parent Advocacy Director, Julie Day)
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What You Can Do to Help Strengthen Families |
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Everyday acts of kindness and support to parents and families can help to reduce the stress that often leads to child abuse. Prevent Child Abuse America posts ways that we can reach out to families:
Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand.
Be a friend to a child you know. Remember their names. Smile when you talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show you care.
Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another's children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.
Give your used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family. This can help relieve the stress of financial burdens that parents sometimes take out on their kids.
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Give the Gift that Gives Twice! |
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  Birthdays, Mother's Day, Bereavement...
To Show You Care... When remembering loved ones with flowers or gift baskets, support child abuse prevention in New Hampshire through an ongoing FTD promotion.
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The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund was established in 1987 by legislative statute RSA 169-C:39 to support programs in New Hampshire that work to prevent child abuse and neglect. Our focus is primary prevention initiatives that keep children safe and families strong.
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