Concord NH:  The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund (NHCTF) with the Board of Trustees announces the award of $202,692 in grants to 18 NH-based non-profits for primary prevention services for children and families, particularly those designed to prevent child abuse and neglect.  Organizations may have been awarded for system building programs, for building organizational capacity, and for new projects, programs or initiatives meeting the goal of 'keeping children safe and families strong.' These awards are made possible through the Federal Community Based Child Abuse Prevention grant and contributions from individuals and groups, including the State Employees Charitable Campaign (code: 7111) and the Combined Federal Campaign (code: 95517).

 

There are over 300,000 children in New Hampshire. From July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families Central Intake Office received 19,800 calls of suspected child abuse and neglect.  Of these, there were 12,786 abuse and neglect referrals; 7,967 of these reports were investigated and 1,125 children were found to be victims of substantiated abuse or neglect.  Approximately, 450 children were removed from their families due to abuse and neglect. 

 

Every day children are beaten, burned, starved, sexually assaulted, photographed and exploited.  Isn't it time we said "Enough!"?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who are victims of child abuse are more likely to engage in risky behaviors as teens, perform criminal acts, engage in violence and they are more likely to acquire chronic diseases and die early.  This costs our society both socially and economically.

 
Child Abuse prevention is everyone's responsibility. Simple gestures can go a long way. When your neighbor has a baby, bring over a casserole or a package of diapers or offer to clean up the kitchen.  When you see a child throwing a tantrum in the laundromat or grocery store, break the tension by smiling and offering support to the parent like "I remember when my child threw a tantrum."  When a member of your congregation is having trouble with her middle schooler offer support to the parent or the child.  When your teen's friend seems to be avoiding going home, invite him to stay and to talk about it.

 
New Hampshire is very privileged to have numerous family support programs.  Get to know the ones in your neighborhood.  Participate, volunteer, donate and refer other families that you know.  Together we can put an end to child maltreatment.  All children deserve to be protected and nurtured so that they may develop into successful caring adults.

 
The Upper Room, A Family Resource Center :($12,000)
Serving Southern NH: Teen Information for Parenting Success: Education & support for young families.
Contact: Kimberly Bavaro

437-8477

The Children's Place & Parent Education Center : ($12,000)
Serving 30 communities in the Greater Concord area: comprehensive Parenting Education Program
Contact: Nancy Boyer 

224-9920

 

Family Connections Center NH Department of Corrections: ($7,692)

Serving NH: PREP on the Outside: Removing barriers to participation in programming designed to strengthen families.  
Contact: Kristina Toth

271-2255  

Rochester Child Care Center Rochester: ($12,000)
Serving Rochester and Northern Strafford County: The Strengthening Families Program will be provided to families.

Contact: Christiane Casserly

332-9333

Copper Cannon Camp :($12,000)

Serving NH: Strengthen families and youth through Family Camp Weekends & Outreach Program

Contact: Donna Gallagher 
823-8107
 

Families First Health & Support Center :($12,000)
Serving the Seacoast area: First Steps home visiting program for at-risk pregnant women & new parents.
Contact: Wanda McDonough

422-8208 x116 

Good Beginnings of Sullivan County :($12,000) d/b/a Diana Love Center for Children & Families

Serving Grafton County: Home Visiting Services Expansion Project to provide family support services in lower Grafton County
Contact: Ellie Tsetsi 

542-1848
 
Family Assistance Network of Western Rockingham County,

c/o Families First Health and Support Center ($12,000)

Serving Western Rockingham County, Epping and Raymond: Parenting classes & support groups, children's & family programs, care coordination

Contact: Wanda McDonough

422-8208 x116

 
Parent Information Center (NH Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities):($12,000)

Serving NH: Parent Outreach Initiative: Strength-based parent education initiative, bringing parent programs to schools, organizations & the Family Resource Center of Greater Nashua 
Contact: Lori Fowler of Prevention Makes Cents

897-9585
 

Community Health & Hospice :($12,000)

Serving Belknap County and Northfield: Pediatric Care Management Program:
Enhancing child well-being & family support through home visitation by nurses.  
Contact: Anne Marie Mercuri

524-8444
 

Monadnock Region Advocacy Center: ($12,000) 

Lakes Region Community Services :($12,000)

Belknap and Lower Grafton Counties: Family Resource Center of Central NH: Purchase & implementation of evidence informed parent education curriculum.
Contact: Karen Welford 

524-1741

Parent Baby Adventure :($12,000)

Serving Hillsborough County: Active Parenting Now: Parent ed series that teaches positive, non-violent discipline techniques.
Contact: Sally Small

666-5982 x10
 

Community Child Care Center of Portsmouth :($12,000)

Serving the Portsmouth area: Early Childhood & School Age Programs - preventive care: To support DCYF & Title XX programming for children & families

Contact: Catherine Edison

422-8223

 
NH Minority Health Coalition :($12,000)

Serving NH: Newcomer Parent Forums Program: Interactive workshops for refugee & immigrant parents to empower them w/ knowledge & skills to help their children succeed in the USA. 

Contact: Lynn Clowes

627-7703

 

Manchester Family Education Collaborative :($12,000)
Serving Greater Manchester: Fathering After the Violence: Changing the parenting relationship of fathers to reduce child abuse

Contact: Monica Zulauf

Riverbend Community Mental Health Center: ($12,000)
Serving Hillsboro, Deering and surrounding towns: Hillsboro/Deering Family Resource Center; In collaboration w/ Southern NH Services, to open a Family Resource Center in Hillsboro. 
Contact: Michelle Kolias

Family Resource Center of Gorham ($3000)

Serving Coos County: Father Initiative: Implement a "Father Initiative"
Contact: Tom Austin

466-5190

 

The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund supports community-based programs that prevent child abuse and neglect through grant-making, technical and training assistance, evaluation and special projects. The NHCTF 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. For more information, visit www.nhctf.org

The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund was established in 1986 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 is the New Hampshire chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.