Parent Guide

FREE CHILD CHECK SCREENING PROVIDED

Children ages 2.5 to 5 years old, for Amherst and Mont Vernon residents. Screenings are conducted by trained professionals for children with suspected delays in development in the areas of early learning, speech, motor, vision, and hearing.

March 8, 8am-12pm
April 22, 8am-12pm

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Please contact Heather Jennings, Preschool Coordinator.
[email protected], or 603/673-2690 x 2106 to schedule a screening

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

Does your child exhibit one or more of the following?

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

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. Others may be looking for services specific to their situation.

SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A CHILDCARE PROVIDER:

  • What is the training & experience of the staff?
  • What are your licenses and accreditations?
  • What's your teacher/child ratio?
  • Describe a typical day at your center.
  • What is your experience in accepting children with special needs or behavior concerns?
  • What steps have you taken to ensure safety?
  • How is discipline handled?
  • Could you give me the names of parents I may contact?
  • Do you have a handbook I can look at?
  • Would you be willing to collaborate with other providers?
  • Can you share with me your strengths and limitations?
  • Describe circumstances that could lead to asking a child to withdraw from your program.

SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A THERAPIST:

  • Can you describe your training?
  • What is your experience with young children?
  • Can you describe how treatment will occur? (i.e. group, individual, play &/or family)
  • How do you involve parents in your treatment process?
  • How do you collaborate with other service providers involved with my child?
  • Tell me about your costs and sliding fees.
  • Do you know if my insurance will cover services?

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

RESOURCE GUIDE For Greater Nashua

*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 (800-894-5533)

Emergency Reports After Hours at the NH Helpline 1-800-852-3388
Family Guidance Center of Milford (672-5005)
i
ndividual and family counseling available.
Family Resource Connection (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 (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 andsupport 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.
Many parents find it helpful to discuss concerns with family physicians, pediatricians, and/or private mental health providers and helping agencies.
St. Joseph's Hospital (882-3000)
Southern NH Regional Medical Center (577-2000)
Nashua hospitals 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 forinclusionary 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 (862-1520)
Educational programs & information for families.

* 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.

SAU#39, serving the Amherst, Mont Vernon and Souhegan School Districts, will be disposing of special education records at the beginning of each new calendar year in compliance with ED 119.01. Special Education records of past students, 25-60 years of age, will be disposed of with the exception of their last Idvidulaized Education Plan, which will remain on file until the student is 60 years of age.