Early Childhood, Family & Community Health

Information about the programs supported by the Early Childhood, Family & Community Health (ECFCH) section

The Early Childhood, Family, and Community Health (ECFCH) Section is dedicated to promoting and improving the health and well-being of children, individuals, and families by increasing access to services and addressing health-related needs, which may be nutritional, behavioral, economic, medical, or environmental. Through program planning, evaluation, education and community outreach, the section strives to enhance the overall health outcomes of individuals and families.

Statewide Priorities for the ECFCH Section

  • Increase positive parenting practices that reduce the likelihood of children impacted by child maltreatment
  • Increase access to quality family support programs with trained family support specialists
  • Improve access to standardized developmental/social/emotional screening, assessment and follow-up for children and adolescents
  • Increase access to pregnancy, post partum, and early childhood home visiting programs that utilize evidence based models and curriculums
  • Improve access to services that address the social determinants of health
  • Improve service delivery for individuals and families through health and social service systems navigation supports

Contact Information

Diverse group of people

Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers (CHW) in NH serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

Learn more about Community Health Workers
Family having fun

Community Collaborations

The Community Collaborations to Strengthen and Preserve Families (CCSPF) program focuses on families with children from birth through age eight by strengthening their connections to their communities and ensuring they receive the help they need to safely care for their children.
 

Learn more about the CCSPF Program
Daughter on Dad's shoulder with Mom looking on

Early Childhood Advisory Support

Co-led by the state’s Department of Health and Human Service and the Department of Education, the Council for Thriving Children, appointed by the Governor, includes family member advocates, early childhood experts, health care leaders, state legislators, business leaders, and Commissioners from other state agencies who have come together to enhance the  well-being of young children and families in New Hampshire. 

Learn about the Statewide Early Childhood Advisory Council
Mother and child cutting vegetables in a kitchen

Family Resource Centers

Family Resource Centers (FRC) provide community-based, primary prevention support to families, children, and individuals at no cost. This includes parent education, support groups, kinship caregiver support, concrete supports, connection to benefits, and resource navigation.

Learn more about Family Resource Centers
Parents reading with their toddler in a playroom

Home Visiting Programs

Home Visiting is a preventative family support and strengthening program for pregnant and newly parenting families. These programs provide health education, parenting support, developmental screening and connections to community resources.

Learn more about our Home Visiting Programs
Grandfather coloring with toddler

Kinship Navigation

The Kinship Navigation Program is available to support kinship caregivers by linking them with state benefits, community resources, information, and referrals, providing essential support and education. 

Learn more about Kinship Navigation
Escape Site