Strafford County and the greater Seacoast community offer a wealth of support organizations to meet the needs of children with disabilities, their families and their educators. Below you will find a list of such community resources. This list is new and growing – so please let us know if you have additions or edits.
Dover Listens wants to bring together Dover residents with different views to share ideas, get informed, and help shape the future of Dover. The organization intentionally seeks a range of perspectives for each project it takes on with the sole purpose of providing a safe forum to get informed and discuss community issues that impact Dover and its citizens.
Dover Listens does not take positions on any issues, but rather creates a process to allow all residents to have a voice in talking about what is happening in our city without feeling pressure or agenda.
The International Dyslexia Association Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 individuals, many of whom remain undiagnosed and receive little or no intervention services. The International Dyslexia Association provides advocacy, education and support for the study and treatment of dyslexia and other language-related learning disorders. Their easy-to-digest fact sheets are suitable for parents, educators and individuals.In addition to the national organization’s website, New Hampshire has its own chapter that provides local support, information and trainings. Check them out at www.nhida.org.
NAMI New Hampshire NAMI NH is a statewide nonprofit that provides information, education and support to all families and communities affected by mental illness. The organization offers training, support and advocacy for people with mental illness – and the people who love and care for them. For instance, NAMI NH offers a training for parents of children and adolescents with emotional disorders entitled “Meeting the Challenge.” For more information about NAMI NH, including local support groups and trainings in our area, visit www.naminh.org.
PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children with all disabilities from birth through 21. Parents can find publications, workshops, and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, adaptive technology, bullying prevention and other services for their children with disabilities. Information is available in a number of languages and reading levels.
Parent Information Center The Parent Information Center (PIC), a New Hampshire statewide family organization, strives to achieve positive outcomes for children and youth, with a focus on those with disabilities and special healthcare needs. This is achieved through its partnerships with families, educators, youth, professionals and organizations.
Seacoast Child Development Clinic The Seacoast Child Development Clinic at the University of New Hamphsire promotes child strengths to achieve his/her full and meaningful participation in the community. IEvaluation and consultation is provided to assist families of children who have developmental challenges, including autism, to make informed decisions regarding medical, developmental, and educational needs. These services are family-centered and culturally sensitive. Contact: Ann Dillon, M.Ed., OTR/L, Coordinator of Clinical Training and Services at 603.862.0561 or seacoast.clinic@unh.edu.
Strafford County CAP Family Resource Center Parenting is the hardest job in the world. Whether you are a pregnant mom, parents with toddlers, or have children entering the teenage years, there are joys and challenges of raising children all along the way. There is no manual on how to raise kids. The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County recently opened a Family Resource Center will provide parents and families with purposeful classes and connections to resources that will help the wonderful journey of raising children a little easier. To learn more or get involved, please contact Eli Tretter, Parent Education Coordinator, 603-817-8509 or etretter@co.strafford.nh.us.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Child Life Services Program A child’s experience in the hospital can be scary and overwhelming for the whole family. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital employs Child Life Specialists, who are trained in child development and how hospitalization can affect this process. They use age-appropriate education and supportive activities to make the hospital experience – whether short visits or overnight – less scary. Support and guidance is also offered to parents, siblings and other family members. Sample programs include pre-procedure tours, classes for children and teens, sibling groups and the always popular Teddy Bear Clinic. To learn more, contact Alison Leighton, CCLS at 603-740-2496.
Zebra Crossings Zebra Crossings provides enrichment programs for children with a wide variety of chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, hemophilia, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Our programs, including day events, family retreats and summer camp experiences, are intentionally designed to further develop children’s skills, boost their independence and reduce fear and anxiety based upon their illness. They discover what they are capable of achieving through developing social and life skills and attitudes when they are facing difficult moments in life. All of our youth programs are medically supervised by a nurse to give participants the freedom to fully enjoy the activities and allow parents to be worry free for the program duration.
