NH Children's Trust shared information about our programs with participants, which echoed the importance of parental resilience, as well as the other protective factors that help strengthen families and shield children from harm. 

The rally ended with a spirited flash mob as participants came together on the plaza dancing to Katy Perry's song "Firework."

Flash Mob at Children's Mental Health Matters Rally in Concord, NH

Just a few hours later, voices of families were raised again as parents told stories of the  hope and support they have found at their family resource centers.  The Senate Finance Committee held a public hearing and many people turned out to give input on the budget on a wide variety of issues.  

Representative Barbara French of Henniker, a longtime advocate of Family Resource Centers, would like to see the Senate reinstate the $120,000 support for "qualified family resource centers" into the State budget.  She asked staff and families to come and share their stories with the Senate Finance committee. 

Family Support NH organized the effort with the slogan "Family Support, it's more than a family matter" and four parents spoke about the safety net their FRC's have provided to them, enabling them to improve parenting skills, forge important social connections, and receive concrete supports in times of need. 

Representative Barbara French, of Henniker, a longtime advocate of Family Resource Centers, testifies urging the Senate to reinstate the $120,000 support for "qualified family resource centers" into the State budget.

Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, NHCT Executive Director informed the Senate Finance committee that NH is one of few states that spends no state dollars on prevention.  "Reinstating the $120,000 to support family resource centers would be just 40 cents a child, which is only 0.001 of the the amount we are investing in intervention and treatment services" she shared.

Shelley Mandigo a parent from the Lakes Region shared that the Family Resource Center of Central NH has helped her to reflect on how the way she was parented and its impact on her parenting.  She stated "(it) made me realize that had my mom had these types of services that my siblings and I may have had a better beginning.  I also learned that we cannot change our pasts, we only have control of the here and now of our children's futures!  She continued saying that another parenting class at the FRC "helped me understand my children and my parenting style with more clarity.  The difference between discipline and punishment, timeout and neglect."

Mary Flynn appreciated being able to find a host of supports under one roof.  "When I moved to NH last spring I was referred to the Family Resource Center and it has been a blessing.  Not only has it been a place for me to begin to reconnect with people and make friends and build support systems, it has also been a great place for me to spend quality time with my son over dinner and then know that he was safe and happy in their childcare while I attended classes on parenting, budgeting, cooking, and more.  Being able to go to one place and connect with so many great programs and wonderful people has really helped me to begin to recreate a quality life for my son and I."

Shelley, Mary and the other parents received applause for sharing their important story with the Senate Finance Committee. 

We know that for every $1 invested in child abuse prevention, $6 is saved in the direct and indirect costs of intervention.  Representative Barbara French knows the wisdom of investing early to avoid costs later.  She thinks the reinstatement to the state budget of the $120,000 for family resource centers is one of those wise investments.