PARENTING IS CHALLENGING! YOU’RE NOT ALONE

WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP AND SUPPORT?

There are services in our community that can be helpful to assist you in identifying and addressing your young child’s needs. This parenting resource guide is a tool for parents and professionals.

WHERE SHOULD I START?

This tool can serve as a guide. Some families will want to consult with professionals regarding their child’s development. Many parents find it helpful to discuss concerns with family physicians, pediatricians, and/or private mental health providers and helping agencies. Others may be looking for services specific to their situation.

SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A CHILDCARE PROVIDER

DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOR OR EMOTIONAL WELL BEING?

SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A THERAPIST
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR GREATER NASHUA
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Questions To Consider In Choosing A Childcare Provider Top
* What is the training & experience of the staff? * How is discipline handled?
* What are your licenses and accreditations? * Could you give me the names of parents I may contact?
* What’s your teacher/child ratio? * Do you have a handbook I can look at?
* Describe a typical day at your center. * Can you share with me your strengths and limitations?
* What is your experience in accepting children with special needs or behavior concerns? * Describe circumstances that could lead to asking a child to withdraw from your program.
* What steps have you taken to ensure safety? * Would you be willing to collaborate with other providers?
Do You Have Concerns About Your Child's Behavior Or Emotional Well Being? Top

Does your child exhibit one or more of the following?

* Excessive tantrumming * Self destructive behaviors
* Repeated emotional outbursts * Excessively fearful of new situations
* Aggression toward others * Excessive impulsivity
* Withdrawal or extreme shyness * Difficulty being comforted or satisfied
* Parent / child relational disturbances * Lack of affection with parent
* Lack of eye contact * Excessive affection with acquaintances or strangers
* Hyperactivity * Sleep difficulties
* Lethargy * Sensitivity to noise, smells, touch or textures

 

Questions To Consider In Choosing A Therapist Top
* Can you describe your training? * Tell me about your costs and sliding fees.
* What is your experience with young children? * Do you know if my insurance will cover services?

* Can you describe how treatment will occur? (i.e. group, individual, play &/or family)

* How do you collaborate with other service providers involved with my child?
* How do you involve parents in your treatment process?  

 

Resource Guide For Greater Nashua Top

*Adult Learning Center (882-9080)*
Child care program serves children ages 6 weeks- 5 ½ years. Offering low staff/child ratio, sliding fee scale, consulting psychologist, family support. Even Start Family Literacy Program operating at Dr. Crisp School.

Area Agency of Greater Nashua
Early Supports and Services (459-2775)
Birth to Age 3 - Evaluations & services for children with concerns in their development, including behavioral. Age 3 & Over (882-6333) family support available for eligible children with developmental disabilities.

Bridges
Provides a safe and empowering environment for the victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including support groups, court advocacy, 24 hour support line, teen dating violence prevention, and shelter.
Nashua Office 889-0858
Milford Office 672-9833
24 Hour Crisis Line 883-3044

Child and Family Services – Parenting Plus
Short-term, home-based, voluntary, and free program offering families positive ways to handle children’s behavior, learn effective parenting skills, & access community resources
KinsCare/Grandparents’ support group & mothers’ playgroup available.
Nashua Office (889-7189)
Parent Line (1-800-640-6486)

Community Council (889-6147)
Clinic, home and community based mental
health services for children (birth-18 yrs) and their families. Family supports and education, sliding fee scale.
NH Relay for the Deaf: 1-800-735-2964

Div. for Children Youth & Families (DCYF)
Local District Office Line (883-7726)
Provides services to children and their families,
including assessment of reported abuse/neglect and case management toward amelioration of safety issues and reunification of families. Child Abuse Report Line (1-800-894-5533)
Emergency Reports After Hours at the
NH Helpline 1-800-852-3388

Family Guidance Center of Milford
(672-5005)
Individual and family counseling available.

Family Resource Connection (1-800-298-4321)
Special service of the NH State Library that provides free lending library, statewide information and referral, and serves as a birth to 6 information clearinghouse.

Info-Bank of Nashua (883-9330)
Provides resources and referrals for the greater Nashua area.

Local School Districts
Provide evaluations & services for children 3 & over suspected of educational disabilities:
Amherst (673-2690)
Brookline/Hollis (465-7118)
Hudson (595-1570)
Litchfield (578-3575)
Merrimack (424-6215)
Milford (673-6709)
Mont Vernon (673-2690)
Nashua (594-4300 ext. 1172)
Wilton/Mason (878-1491)

Milford Mediation (672-2711)
Nashua Area Mediation ( 589-4550)
Mediation services to youth & family members. Helps families to communicate more effectively & teaches conflict resolution.

Milford Regional Counseling (673-2508)
Counseling for individuals and families. Sliding fee scale for qualifying individuals.

Nashua Area Child Care Resource and Referral (883-7726 x 718)
Provides information about child care options in the greater Nashua area, training and technical assistance to child care providers.

Nashua Area Health Center (883-1626)
Provides primary medical care & health-related services with an emphasis on prevention & lifestyle management to individuals & families in the greater Nashua community regardless of their ability to pay.

Nashua Child Care Services Office (589-4540)
Offers options & information on child care in greater Nashua. Technical assistance regarding licensing & professional issues is available.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill NH (NAMI NH) 1-800-242-6264
Provides support & advocacy to NH families of children & adults with mental illness disorders.

New Hampshire Helpline (1-800-852-3388) www.nhhelpline.org
Provides statewide resources for health and human services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Parent Information Center (1-800-232-0986)
Provides information, resources and support for families of children with & without disabilities.

*Rivier College Early Childhood Center (897-8240)*
Serves children 12mos- kindergarten. NAEYC accredited. On-site special needs inclusion facilitator & nurse. Ongoing collaboration with service providers. Provides on-site training to college-level early childhood students.

St. Joseph’s Hospital (882-3000)
Southern NH Regional Medical Center (577-2000)
Nashua hospitals provide a variety of educational programs for parents.

*Southern NH Services (889-7812)*
Nashua Headstart Program has three sites with cost free part-day preschool program for 3-4 year olds and one site with full day program for infants-5 year olds with tuition assistance available. Comprehensive services include meals, nutrition & health services, family support & opportunities for parent involvement. Community partnerships with local school districts & service agencies.

*Sunrise Children’s Center (886-0110)*
Serves children 18 mos -kindergarten, approved by NH Dept of Education for inclusionary special education services; parenting classes & workshops offered.

The Youth Council (889-1090)
Outpatient family & individual counseling for children 3 and up. Parenting classes, programs for children struggling with child sexual abuse & domestic violence.

Title I (889-5900)
Cost free pre-school program for children turning 4 years old by 9/30. Nashua school areas served: Amherst St., Dr. Crisp, Fairgrounds, Ledge St. & Mt. Pleasant.

UNH Cooperative Extension (673-2510)
Educational programs & information for families

* SPECIAL NOTE ON CHILD CARE CENTERS *
This is not an all-inclusive list of childcare centers. Included are those non-profit centers that have inclusionary programs and/or parent and child services related to children with social emotional and/or behavioral concerns. You may contact the child care services offices at 883-7726 x 718 or 589-4540 for information about other providers.

 

 

Acknowledgments Top

The parenting resource guide was developed by the Greater Nashua Birth to 6 Mental Health Team.

This team was formed to enhance the ability of community-based services to address the social/emotional and behavioral needs of children birth – 6 and their families.

Supported by a grant from the NH Children’s Care Management Collaborative - Revised Spring 2005