Our History
New Hampshire was one of the first Family Voices organizations in the U.S., starting in 1994 as a grassroots network of families of children and youth with special health care needs that shared information, resources, health programs, and policies.
Today, there is a Family Voices Affiliate in almost every state, and New Hampshire Family Voices (NHFV) continues to help families and professionals navigate the systems designed to serve them and foster a strong network of support.
Our founding members were parents, and to this day, the majority of our staff are individuals and family members with lived experience. We involve families, amplify their voices, participate in program development, and share expertise to influence policies that impact children.
NHFV connects families of children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities to the resources they require and provides vital information to help them access the services and support they need to thrive.
NHFV is administered under a fiscal agreement with the New Hampshire Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities Inc., d/b/a Parent Information Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is the State Affiliate Organization of Family Voices National.
To learn more about National Family Voices, visit http://www.familyvoices.org
Our Mission
New Hampshire Family Voices provides free, confidential services to families and professionals caring for children with chronic conditions and/or disabilities. We empower and inform families and professionals to feel confident when making choices for children and youth in their care.
Our Principles
Family-centered care. Because families are at the center of a child’s life, they must be equal partners in decision-making and all aspects of the child’s care. Family-centered care is community-based, coordinated, culturally and culturally competent, and guided by what is best for each child and family.
Partnerships. Family-centered care is based upon strong and effective family-professional relationships built within the context of families’ and professionals’ cultural values and practices to improve decision-making, enhance outcomes, and assure quality.
Quality, access, affordability, and acceptability. Children with special needs deserve primary and specialty health care that is high-quality, affordable, within geographic reach, and respectful of family and community culture.
Health systems that work for families and children. Health policies and systems built on a foundation of family-centered, culturally and linguistically competent care must be the standard for all children.
Informed families/strong communities. Like their peers, children with special needs deserve every opportunity to enjoy a happy and healthy childhood at home in their communities. Families equipped with reliable, accurate information about ways to support their child’s health, education, and social development will help them grow into productive adults as defined by their personal, family, and community cultural beliefs and values.
Self-advocacy/empowerment. When informed and supported, young people with disabilities are active participants in their life choices and can advocate for themselves.
Our Fiscal Agent and Education Partner
Our fiscal agent and education arm, The Parent Information Center, works with families who have children with special needs, learning, and attention issues. They provide a wealth of services to help families understand their child’s developmental and educational needs, the laws that govern early supports and services, and the special education process.
Our organizations work together to offer information, resources, and training that helps families, providers, and system builders make informed decisions. We aim to ensure that New Hampshire families, as well as the providers and educators who support them, can access the necessary resources for their children with chronic conditions and special education needs to thrive.