The mission and goal of the Incentive Fund Program have always been to promote the optimal growth and development of New Hampshire children and youth within their communities and to prevent out-of-home placement.  The spectrum of services is as large as the population it serves, which goes from infancy to late adolescence.  The Incentive Fund Program emphasizes activities with a preventative approach, a shift from the intervention approach of protecting children and youth to ensure safety for children, families and communities.  Prevention and intervention services have much to offer each other to assure that families' needs are met on an ongoing basis.  This combined approach is unique because it offers a seamless continuum of services to youths entering juvenile justice or the child welfare system, as well as these already involved in such systems.  The New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families primarily views this program as a community-based response to protection and intervention needs.  This information is based on NH Statute, RSA 170 G: 4, XVI as listed below.

RSA 170 G: 4, XVI states;

Encourage cities, towns and counties to develop and maintain prevention programs, court diversion programs and alternative dispositions for juveniles other than placements outside of the home through the use of a formula which shall allow for the transfer of funds to cities, towns and counties which have, or are developing, prevention programs or alternatives for juvenile care. The amount to be distributed for this program shall be not less than 5 percent of the amount appropriated in fiscal year 1994 and not less than 6 percent in each fiscal year thereafter, to the department of health and human services for placement costs. The method of distribution shall be based upon rules adopted under RSA 541-A by the commissioner. For purposes of this paragraph, prevention programs shall include programs or activities for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Applications are due by July 31, 2009.