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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. 

It’s Important to Get Behavioral Support Early – What You Need to Know

child and mother smiling, sitting on couch in white living roomGetting the support and care your child needs early on can make a major difference when it comes to their development and your family’s overall wellbeing. Your child develops faster during the first five years than any other time in their life. Taking advantage of the opportunities and resources available to your child and family will improve your chances for successful home, social, work, family, and school lives. It can be difficult to know what the best choice for your child and family is, and CFNH will help you navigate challenging times by coordinating the care that is right got you, your child, and your family.

What is the Early Childhood Program?

The CFNH Early Childhood program is for ages birth to five, and coordinates care using the Wraparound method to offer children and families the support they need to get through mental health or behavioral challenges. This type of 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 and meet needs that are currently not being met by existing treatments. If you feel that you need guidance on the type of care you are receiving and the resources available to you, 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 the decisions related to the care of your family and your child’s needs.

Prevention is Key

Staying ahead of a crisis before it happens is the key to managing behavioral or mental health challenges with your child. Research has shown that 12 in 18 children, who got mental health support early on had better outcomes than those who did not. Not getting involved early on can have major results, including delayed development, poor educational performance, reduced social skills, and more. The CFNH Early Childhood Wraparound program is designed to keep your child in the community, while still getting the support they need. We believe the best way to do this is through collaboration.

Individualized Care

One of the top benefits of CFNH’s Early Childhood program is the level of individualized support you will receive. When you enter the program, you will be connected with a designated care coordinator, who will work with you the entire time and serve as your guide when it comes to accessing and understanding the resources and opportunities available. Your care coordinator will work with you to create a team of supporters that consists of important people in your child and family’s life. Many team members are often 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 unique needs.

Getting mental health support for children aged birth to five can significantly increase their chances of a successful, happy life. Individualized, preventive care can help you and your child go the extra mile together. Getting care within your own community that is focused solely on you and your child’s needs, strengths, and goals will help produce positive outcomes.

Get on the Right Track

You can get the help you need a lot easier than you might think. CFNH has created a program based on outcomes and goals and focuses on highlighting your strengths to get to where you want to be. Your child deserves the best care and support possible, and programs such as the Early Childhood program do just that. Instead of replacing your treatments or services, we complement them and work with them to bring more complete behavioral support. At CFNH, 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.

About Connected Families NH

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.

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Connected Families NH is dedicated to coordinating care for your children and
youth with your family’s unique needs in mind.

Reach out to us if you have any questions about what we do and how we can help.

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