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"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own."
--Ben Sweetland
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Dear Friends,
This issue of our enewsletter, filled with resources, will focus on going back to school. You'll learn about the Concord Heights Neighborhood Family Center at Dame School, they, along with the Franklin Family Resource Center are family resource centers located within schools.
Family Resource Centers and Family Support Programs throughout the state are excellent resources for families. To find one near you, view the Family Support New Hampshire brochure posted on our website.
Schools, child care centers and colleges can be great resources for children and families. Most of them have someone on staff - guidance counselor, social worker, home school liaison, behavioral specialist, nurse, family assistance worker-who is familiar with the local resources which can provide families with concrete, educational and emotional supports. Contact your school to find out what resources are available to you.
We are happy to report that we have exceeded our fundraising goal for our spring appeal in honor of fathers by $351. Gratitude goes out to the donors who made this possible. Read further for a donors list. We are also grateful for the $2500 contribution from Sovereign Bank, a donor who continues to support us as we work to prevent child abuse and neglect in New Hampshire.
We had 27 applicants submit proposals for our 2009-2011 grant cycle and will be announcing the grantees in October. Programs varied widely in the ways they propose to help families build protective factors including parenting classes, fatherhood programs, home visiting, family camp, abstinence education and preventive childcare. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful family support programs in our state.
In addition to funding programs, the NHCTF is committed to providing training and technical assistance to professionals and parents. The following events in collaboration with the NHCTF are coming up in October and we'd love to have you join us!
Proceeds to benefit non-profits in the South End and the NH Children's Trust Fund.
Be safe, get involved and have a great school year!
Sincerely,
Keryn
Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, MS
Executive Director
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Information on "Sexting" for Parents from the NH Department of Justice |
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"Sexting" is a hot topic on the news and in our schools. Sexting is generally defined as the act of sending lewd, suggestive, and possibly sexually explicit text messages and/or photographs to another person. Of greatest concern is the apparent rise in sexting by young adults and children. Numerous cases have brought this topic to our attention, both locally and nationally, and it is important for parents to be informed on the topic.
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New Resource from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: the Parent Portal
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 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced the creation of a new resource available for parents: Parent Portal which will help parents find information to give children healthier, safer lives. The CDC Parent Portal organizes and presents information for parents and provides resources from across CDC, all in one location, making it easier for parents to find what they are looking for.
The Parent Portal is a great source for credible, accurate information in helping parents raising healthy kids and providing a safe home and community. It also is a resource for diseases and conditions that can occur, and for developmental milestones and schedules. The Parent Portal also provides information on physical activity, diet, physical and mental health, injuries and violence, peer relationships, and a special section on risk behaviors geared for the parents of teens. | |
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2009 Board of Trustees
Deborah Chase,
Gilmanton
Melissa Correia,
Vice Chair, Manchester
Sen. Peggy Gilmour RN
Hollis
Representative Anne Grassie,
Rochester
Courtney H.G. Herz, Esq.,
Secretary, Hopkinton
Peirce Hunter, M.D.,
Chair, Bow
Kristina Ickes, MBA,
Candia
Audrey Knight, MSN,RN,
Hopkinton
Senator Bette Lasky,
Nashua
Rep. Betsy McKinney,
Treasurer, Londonderry
Lauren Noether, Senior Assistant Attorney General,
Concord
Malcolm Smith, PhD, CFLE,
Durham
Brenda Tibbetts,
Colebrook
Staff
Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, MS,
Executive Director
Diane Hastings, MS,
Special Projects Director
Karen Ryan, MEd,
Program Director
Julie Day, BA,
Parent Advocacy Director
Valerie Quinn, BA,
Administrative Assistant
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 A Spotlight on a Family Support Program
Concord Heights Neighborhood Family Center at Dame School
by Julie Day, NHCTF Parent Advocacy Director
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 I am an alumni family of the Concord Heights Neighborhood Family Center better known as Family Center. Today I visited the Family Center today to take pictures. It was just as I remembered. Jessica Tate was in helping with hand washing before snack while singing the hand washing song. After snack, we all sat down, parents/caregivers and little ones, to sing songs. I found myself reminiscing about my own children's experiences there. Casey loved the art table, Freddie loved the dress up area and song time, and Lucy loved the kitchen area and her friends. I could see them all running around trying to show me everything. It was a great time for our family.  We were new to the area and did not know anyone. I had three small children from 3 to 1 years old. I needed to find a preschool for my oldest daughter. I found so much more. Incorporated in Dame School is Family Center. This program meets twice a week when the preschool is not in session. It was a wonderful opportunity for my children to meet other children in the school system and for me to meet other parents. Parenting can be very isolating but with programs that encourage relationships in the community it benefits all that are involved.
We went on field trips to Apple Hill Orchard and saw a few shows at the Capital Center. One of our favorite things was the International Dinners held at the school. Families brought in food from their country of origin. There was a large map and everyone put a star on the map showing where they were born. It was quite amazing that in our small school there were so many different countries represented. One year there were African drummers and dancers. The kids enjoyed the different sounds, brilliant colors of the native dresses and the different ways the dancers moved their bodies.
 My son participated in the program before he entered the pre-school program. This was a huge asset to him. When it was time to go to preschool he was already familiar with his classroom, his teachers and he already knew some of his classmates. It made a huge difference on his transition into the school system. As for my youngest daughter she just went with the flow. She just assumed that the Family Center was a part of her weekly routine.
Although we have outgrown the Family Center, we still see friends that we made many years ago. I learned a lot from these other parents and we formed a close bond.
Thank you to the Family Center for such great memories.
The Concord Heights Neighborhood Family Center at Dame School was the year 2000 recipient of the NHCTF Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families. The Family Center and its programs are neighborhood based, a characteristic research says is critical to a family's sense of ownership, connectedness, and ultimate success. The Family Centers programs are based on a set of principles that value, teach, and welcome parents as active partners in the education of their children at home and in school.
Services offered include:
- Quality, inclusive preschool for children 3-5 years old with a sliding fee scale for tuition;
- Twice-weekly opportunities for parents and children to play and learn together;
- Comprehensive parent training activities and supports related to the healthy development for children;
- Before school and extended hour child care programs;
- Special monthly cultural and social events;
- Family counseling;
- Family advocacy with local, state, and Federal services;
- Lending library and referral services.
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"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."
--James Baldwin
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Parental influences differ in determining child's later academic success
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 According to McBride, there's a clear relationship between what fathers do early in a child's life and how much they're involved once their child goes off to school. The time to become involved is not late in the game when an issue arrises.
The article quotes McBride: "If you're not used to being around children, or you don't understand how children develop, parenting may seem awkward and even somewhat intimidating. We need to help fathers realize that what they do is really important. If we wait and only get fathers involved when kids are having problems in school, that's too late."
McBride talks about changing the mindset of "parents equals mothers" and working with the teachers and other service providers "so that they recognize that if they want to get men more engaged in the process, which most professionals would concur with, then let's focus on getting them engaged from day one of a child's life."
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Nights are cooler and morning commute involves driving by the school children as they wait on the buses. Where did summer go!? With the kids are back in school, we need to re-focus on one of the most important roles we play as an advocate for our children while they are at school.
From the time our children enter pre-school or kindergarten through the time they graduate from high school they need us involved in their daily school lives. Ask questions. Show them that you are interested in what they are doing. We can all learn from our children and they love it when they can teach us new things. Capitalize on opportunities to keep doors open.
Check out the following websites for tips to help all stages:
A Tip from the New Jersey chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America:
Get Actively Involved with School Activities
This is probably the most important thing you can do for your child's education! Do your best to attend school and school district meetings, events, parent/teacher conferences, activity fairs and any other opportunities to become more involved in supporting your child this school year. You will become a familiar face in the school, which may lead to more resources and opportunities for you and your child. It's a known fact that children go further in their education, make wiser decisions and have better career options when their parents are involved!
Parenting Your Grandchild: Transitioning to the School Year
 It is difficult enough being the parent of a school age child but when you are a grandparent parenting your grandchild, it can be more overwhelming. Here are some tips to help with the transition and the quality of the school year. Be patient, ask questions and remember you are a key source of knowledge and information. Tell your grandchild your life experiences. I learned so much history from my grandparents like what life was like growing up in the early 1900's in rural Vermont. Families are rich in personal history- history that will never come from a text book. It is important to go to open houses at your child's school. Not only will you meet the teachers and see the classrooms but you will also meet other parents, grandparents and caregivers. Parenting can be so isolating. Joining a support group or forming a group of friends who are having similar experiences can be a very good source of support for you and your grandchild. The UNH Cooperative Extension, NH Relatives as Parents Program has terrific resources for grandparents and other relatives who are parenting their kin. |
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" I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann""
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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S TASK FORCE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
*Registration materials will be sent to those who received the "Save the Date" email from the NH Attorney General's Office. If you are not on that mailing list want to be added or if you want more information, contact the Victim Witness Unit at 271-6817. Registration will not be available online. |
 Thank you to the following donors who helped us reach our Spring Appeal Goal... ...by making a donation to the
New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund:
We gratefully accept one-time and ongoing donations by check or through Paypal. Your donation will be used to strengthen families and keep children safe.
Click on one of the links to make a donation through PayPal by visiting our website or by check. Send it in honor of a special person in your life and we will send a card to that special someone acknowledging your gift.
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Give the Gift that Gives Twice!
An FTD Promotion to Prevent Child Abuse
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Birthdays, Anniversarys, Bereavement...
  Remember the loved ones in your life by ordering flowers or gift baskets through an ongoing FTD promotion that will give 15% of your purchase to Prevent Child Abuse New Hampshire.
Click here to go directly to the FTD promotional website and support child abuse prevention in New Hampshire. The NH Children's Trust Fund is the Prevent Child Abuse NH chapter |
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Who We Are
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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.
The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund believes that the most effective way to keep our children safe from abuse and neglect is to foster the development of strong families. The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund advocates for positive change in both state and federal policies that effect children and families.
The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund is the New Hampshire chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.
To find out more about our programs and partners, go to our website.
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New Hamphire Children's Trust Fund Prevent Child Abuse New Hampshire
10 Ferry Street, Suite 315
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
(603) 224-1279 | |
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