Connected Families NH
We make it a priority to make resources and support easily accessible to children and families experiencing mental health challenges. We post a variety of blogs focused on support, advice, resources, news, and related mental and behavioral health topics.
One in six U.S. children are diagnosed with a mental health challenge at a young age. Getting care for your child ages birth to five can be a tough decision, but it can make a huge difference in you and your child’s life. Prevention is key, and having the support you need to navigate significant mental health challenges with your child can make it more manageable. There are many benefits to mental health programs such as Connected Families NH’s (CFNH) Early Childhood Wraparound program.
The CFNH Early Childhood program is for ages birth to five and coordinates care through the New Hampshire Wraparound method to offer children and families the support they need to manage mental health or behavioral challenges. This type of behavioral support is proven successful at keeping children in their community while still getting the care and guidance they need. The goal of CFNH is to bridge the gap by connecting you with the resources, and partners that meet you and your child’s needs. If you feel that you need more support and more guidance, your assigned care coordinator can help you get that. Instead of being another person telling you what to do, we take the time to explain the “why” and the “how” of the process, making sure you are informed when it comes to making decisions for your family and your child.
It is incredibly important to get the mental health support your child needs. The more support you and your child have, the better the results and the higher the quality of life. According to the CDC, mental health challenges can impact the way children learn, handle their emotions, behave, and move through life. If you notice habits or behaviors such as outbursts, and difficulties that could indicate mental health struggles for your child, there are programs available to help you and your child get back on track. Prevention and early intervention are key, and the earlier you get your child the support they need, the better.
Getting your child the mental health support they need should not be hard, and many programs such as CFNH’s Early Childhood aim to keep you and your child in their community, while still getting the care they need. Research done by Harvard University has shown that it is essential to care for children in their own community, because it can help reduce stress on both your child and entire family. Instead of trying to make the programs you can find work for your needs, the Early Childhood program works around you and your child. We aim to bridge the gap between your current care and where you want to be. Instead of replacing your treatments and therapies, we coordinate support and resources to work alongside your current care. Our behavioral support is guided by your needs so that together we can reach the best outcome.
One of the top benefits of CFNH’s Early Childhood program is the level of individualized care coordination you will get. When you begin the program, you will be assigned a care coordinator, who will work with you the entire time and serve as your main guide when it comes to accessing and understanding the resources and opportunities available and are right for you. Your care coordinator will work with you to assemble a team of natural and professional supports that consist of important people in your child and family’s life. Some common support team members seen are teachers, extended family, coaches, family friends, and any other important people that can support you and your child during behavioral challenges. Individualized care is incredibly helpful when it comes to behavioral support, because every child is different and has different needs.
Getting through behavioral challenges with your child aged birth to five can be challenging, and CFNH’s Early Childhood Wraparound program is designed to work with your family to meet your needs head on. We use the FAST Forward model, which translates to Families and Systems Working Together, so we work with you and your child to meet your needs in the best way possible. There are many benefits to the Early Childhood program, from meeting your needs to the fullest to individualized care, you cannot go wrong with getting the behavioral support you and your child need.
Funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and contracted by the Bureau for Children’s Behavioral Health within New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services, Connected Families NH is a collaborative family-led program designed to improve the emotional health of children and young adults. We recognize the importance of emotional health and provide free, flexible services and support through our statewide and regional programs. Reach out or submit a referral to learn more about how Connected Families NH can help you. Connected Families NH is under the governance of Cheshire County. Connected Families NH is not an emergency service. If you or someone you care about is having a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call and speak to trained care staff at the NH Rapid Response Access Point at 833-710-6477 or 988 or NH988.com.
Reach out to us if you have any questions about what we do and how we can help.
