Coos Coalition for Young Children and Families

Mission. To promote optimal development for children from birth through age eight and to support the families and systems that care for them in Coös County and rural northern New Hampshire. Vision (plain-language). A coordinated, community-rooted, healing-centered support system—beginning prenatal and integrated through age eight—that strengthens family relationships, well-being, and early learning so families don’t have to navigate alone. History & structure. Formed as a community collaborative in 2008 and working alongside families and partners since 2009, we serve as the regional backbone with North Country Education Services as fiscal sponsor.

We make it easier for North Country families with young children (birth–8) to get coordinated, healing-centered support—without having to navigate systems alone. We do this by: Convening partners & elevating family voice. We bring together early childhood, health, schools, family resource centers, and parent leaders to align services and reduce gaps. Raising Strong Families (RSF). A non-clinical, trauma-informed wraparound model with weekly/biweekly coaching, warm handoffs, peer connection, and limited flex funds for urgent needs. Coordinators are community-rooted and trained in protective factors approaches. Behavioral Health Tactical Team (BHTT). Regular cross-sector sessions that co-design community, non-clinical behavioral health supports families can access outside of clinics. Coalition workgroups. Standing groups focus on kindergarten transitions, developmental screenings, professional development, and family supports. ASQ screening support & training. A four-part series for local program leads on setup, screenings, family access, reporting, and troubleshooting. Data-informed improvement. We use the Protective Factors Survey and other tools to track progress; RSF has shown strong gains in family stability and protective factors.