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PENACOOK - In towns throughout New Hampshire, family resource centers provide information and support to any family entering their doors. In communities that do not have family resource centers, there are programs that provide the same kinds of services but do not act as a gathering place for families. Family Support NH held their annual meeting at Camp Spaulding Tuesday recapping and congratulating hard work.
Family Support NH serves as the statewide network of these family resource centers and family support programs. Erin Boylan of Concord, the Family Support Director at Easter Seals NH Child Development and Family Resource Center, was elected to serve as president of FSNH and Sue Schick of Derry, a Program Director at the Upper Room - a Family Resource Center, was elected as a new member to the Board of Directors.
 | | Joan Ascheim, left, accepts the 10th Robert Chamberlin Award from Karen Welford, right. |
Family Support New Hampshire recognized two outstanding professionals with awards. The 10th Robert Chamberlin Award went to Joan Ascheim, MSN. This accolade recognizes a professional who has had a statewide impact on children and families who has worked in New Hampshire at least 10 years. Robert Chamberlin was a pediatrician who was a strong advocate and champion for family resource centers and helped establish the first one in New Hampshire in the 1990's. Ascheim is a former Bureau Chief at the Division of Public Health Services of the NH Department of Health and Human Services. It was under her leadership that the first three home visiting programs were established in New Hampshire. Ascheim is now a Performance Improvement Manager with the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
 | | Carol Lunan, front center, sits with friends, co-workers and parent leaders after accepting the inaugural FSNH Kay Sidway Award for Family Support. |
A new award, the FSNH Kay Sidway Award for Family Support, recognizes a professional serving children and families with direct services - "on the ground." This award in honors another pioneer and champion of family support who also was instrumental in establishing family resource centers in New Hampshire, Kay Sidway. This award's inaugural recipient, Carol Lunan, M.Ed. of Perterborough, is a direct service professional, employed at an FSNH member agency, who shows skill in promoting family strengths. Lunan's nomination came two different family resource centers - The Grapevine and The River Center - including testimony from some of the parents whose lives she has touched. She is a parent educator, a teacher, and a home visitor and has earned the respect of her colleagues and the parents with whom she works.
Families wanting to learn more about the family resource center or family support program in their community can visit www.fsnh.org. Organizations can also learn about becoming members of this network.
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For images from this event and of award recipients please email Communications Coordinator Janine Mitchell.
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