Children's Issues 

The Children’s Issues group goal is to identify the broader causes of social problems within the local and state community, and to actively work toward the elimination of these causes of dysfunction through advocating change of the social service system itself. Furthermore, we work collaboratively with other child advocacy groups to address issues, as well as work with the SLAC committee to improve social institutions, systems, legislation, and practice that impose hardship on children and families.

For more information you can reach out to Becky at granitestater@gmail.com or admin.naswnh@socialworkers.org

Click here for more information about our next virtual meeting!



Children's Issues Group Resources

Recorded Trainings From Our Meeting

January 2025- Building Resilience in Children (LINK)

November 2023- NH DCYF Community Response Guide (LINK)
Handout

March 2023- Safety Planning with Youth and Families: Best Practices for Mental Health and Community Based Providers (2.5 CEUs) ( LINK)

October 2022 - Critical Decision Making in Mental Health Crisis Care: Using the C-SSRS with Children (2.5 CEUs) LINK

May 2020- Teleplay Therapy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-bJwLRjg3k&t=1s

May 2019- 1 hour panel: Law Enforcement and Social Workers as Allies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVZSW1T097Q


As a group, we have made resource lists of both local and national resources, based on topic. This is a work in progress, with more sections to come soon.


ALL TOPICS:

Child Development

Child Welfare

Children with Special Needs/ Neurodiversity/Exceptionalities

Infant Mental Health

Juvenile Justice

LGBTQ+ Youth

Mental Health

Parental Substance Misuse

Primary Care/ Medical

School Based

Social Media and Youth

Substance Misuse

Suicide Prevention

Threat Assessment in Youth

Trauma and Youth


Existing Resource Lists/Websites

Maneuvering the Maze (NH Family Voices, 2022)- list of Early Childhood, Health, Mental Health, and Developmental Disability and related services for kids: https://nhfv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/THE-MAZE-PDF-FINAL.pdf
Resource pages from NHFV: https://nhfv.org/resources/

NAMI NH Resources: https://www.naminh.org/recovery/

NH Birth to 3 Resources: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disability-care/developmental-services/birth-3-family-centered-early-supports

NH Community Mental Health Centers: https://nhcbha.org/

NH Family Resource Centers- FRC Navigator to locate your FRC;Link to Kinship and Relative Caregiver guide: https://www.fsnh.org/family-support.html

NH Medicaid for Children information: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility/nh-medicaid-medical

NH DHHS Financial Assistance Programs: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/financial-assistance


Location Specific Lists:

Upper Valley Mental Health Resource Guide: https://uvmentalhealth.org/index.php?title=Upper_Valley_Mental_Health_Resource_Guide


Resources for Parents and Community Members:

Mental Health.gov https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers

On Our Sleeves- Children’s MH resources, focus on school aged children https://www.onoursleeves.org/


Other Websites We Recommend

NH Children’s Trust https://www.nhchildrenstrust.org/
NH Children’s Trust is the NH Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. They support NH Family Resource Centers and have a focus on prevention work in our state.

NH Children’s System of Care https://nhcsoc.org/
The Children’s System of Care website highlights resources, training and events. It has parent facing and provider facing resources.

NH Family Resource Centers https://www.fsnh.org/

Family Resource Centers provide prevention services including home visiting, case management, parenting support and groups. Most FRCs serve families starting in pregnancy, at least through age 5. Many have older youth and teen programming as well.

Casey Family Programs, 2025 Kids Count Data Book: https://www.aecf.org/resources/2025-kids-count-data-book

NH data: https://assets.aecf.org/m/databook/2023-KCDB-profile-NH.pdf

The Family Acceptance Project https://lgbtqfamilyacceptance.org/
This website focuses on resources for providers, parents and loved ones to support LGBTQ+ youth. There are tip sheets, posters and trainings available.

The School of Hard Talks online: Provides information and a free training course to help families have successful conversations about hard topics https://handholdma.org/what-can-i-do/the-school-of-hard-talks-online-lessons-from-motivational-interviewing-for-everyday-families

Co-Chairs:

Sarah Merrigan, LICSW

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Becky Parton, LICSW

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