Committed to Making a Difference

 

In September of 2017, FOSTERING CHANGE: Alliance for NH Foster Parents set out to make a difference in the lives of foster children and foster parents and caregivers throughout the state of New Hampshire. Individuals dedicated to improving our child welfare system soon came together to help support those involved in child abuse and neglect cases and to establish an organization aimed at coalition building, advocacy, education and reform.

 

Since 2017, the Alliance community has collaborated to bring awareness to state legislators about the issues related to foster care in our state. Thanks to our efforts the first law in NH for foster parents was passed by Governor Sununu on June 25, 2018. In addition to supporting one another we mobilize churches, schools, pediatric primary care providers and mental health professionals to work together to meet the needs of at-risk children and families, and those affected by the substance-abuse crisis throughout NH. We are also represented at a monthly meeting with DCYF Director Joe Ribsam, the monthly foster care sub-committee meeting at the State House, the Community Faith Based Initiative (CFBI) and the Better Together with Birth Parents (BTWBP) and Family Drug Courts steering committees. 

 

The Alliance is committed to providing guidance and resources to help foster parents and caregivers successfully navigate the challenges related to foster care and to help them be recognized as valuable members of the foster care team. It is our intention that by advocating for fair and ethical practices in foster care, every child's right to timely permanency, and the vital importance of considering the developmental needs of infants, children and adolescents in tandem with parental readiness, we will be a persuasive coalition that will raise awareness and change the future.

 

Foster care is meant to be temporary and the Alliance whole-heartedly supports reunification when children can return to a safe, drug-free and healthy environment. The ultimate goal of our organization is not to prevent reunification, it is to promote safe, child and family-centered care in New Hampshire as we support one another and work with other community and faith-based organizations to build resiliency and develop and implement strategies for a transformed child welfare system: value centered family preservation.

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Our Mission

Empowering foster parents, relative caregivers and those who care about at-risk children in New Hampshire to create change in our child welfare and foster care systems. Together through advocacy, information gathering, connecting with community and church leaders, and coalition building we can improve our child welfare system and bring hope to the lives of affected children and families.

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To read more about our plans and goals for the future click HERE.

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