Parent Resources
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Cheshire Mediation

Cheshire County Prescription Drug Program

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CHINS

The CHINS Diversion Program - CHINS is the legal term most commonly used to explain a Child In Need Of Services. It means any youth who is determined to be: Truant from school, receiving negative grades in school, running away from home or school, or resisting the reasonable rules of parents, police, or other authority. The CHINS Diversion Program prevents inappropriate or unnecessary court intervention on behalf of CHINS youth by applying a contract to divert youth and their families from the judicial system to preventative and community-based services. The CHINS Diversion Program works with the 18 towns that Keene District Court Serves. The CHINS Diversion Case Worker, Jena Boucher at 603-357-9870 Ext 6067.

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Creating Positive Change (CPC)

Creating Positive Change (CPC)is the substance abuse prevention coalition serving the towns of the ConVal and Jaffrey Rindge School systems. CPC operates a teen center in Peterborough which offers a variety of safe and substance-free activities after school, evenings and Saturdays. CPC maintains an extensive substance abuse prevention resource library that is open to the public, and offers a range of free educational materials. CPC acts as a support, consultant and catalyst around prevention issues for families, parents, educators and other people and organizations interested in creating environments that encourage healthy lifestyle choices for everyone.
Contact: Lee Bruder, Robin Boyd
Email: communications@cpcnh.org
Phone: 924-4981
http://www.cpcnh.org

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Department of Children Youth and Families

How You Can Help Stop Child Abuse & Neglect

Reporting Requirements:

If a child tells you that he or she has been hurt or you are concerned that a child may be the victim of any type of abuse or neglect, you must call the Division for Children Youth and Families (DCYF)

NH Statue requires any person with reason to suspect a child under age 18 has been abused or neglected must report that suspicion immediately to DCYF.

If you have reason to suspect a child has been abused or neglected, contact DCYF by telephone from 8:00 AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

Proof of abuse and neglect is not required to make a report.

Reports of abuse and neglect concerns are confidential and can be anonymous. If you give your name, please know NH Statues do not allow DCYF to release it to anyone. DCYF will not reveal your name unless you agree or a court orders DCYF to do so. If the family being investigated asks for DCYF records, staff must remove the name of the person who made the report. However, if the case ever goes to court, a judge may request identifying information.

Call your local police department with urgent child abuse or neglect reports during DCYF non-work hours (between 4:30pm and 8:00am or on weekends and holidays).

Child Abuse Report Line

Call 1-800-894-5533 or 603-271-6556
 

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Division for Juvenile Justice Services

DJJS is responsible for providing supervision and rehabilitative services to youth adjudicated under state law as delinquent or as children in need of services (CHINS).  DJJS provides supervision, case management, and an array of rehabilitative services through its staff of Juvenile Probation and Parole Officers (JPPOs) and a network of
Community-based providers who are licensed and/or certified by DHHS.

The Division of Juvenile Justice Services administers programs and services around three organizational and functional areas:

Institutional Services: the Youth Services Center and the Youth Detention Services unit provide residential placements for NH youth involved with the NH court system.

Community Programs: all community-based services, both residential and nonresidential, are administered by this unit.

Probation and Parole: Conducts investigations and provides supervision of delinquent minors and Children in Need of Services (CHINS), as well as providing supervision of committed delinquents released from the Youth Services Center on parole.

For more information contact the local Department of Health and Human Services office at 357-3510 and ask for the DJJS Department.
 

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Keene Youth Services

The Youth Service Department offers several programs to attempt to meet the youth who live within Cheshire County area. The Pre-CHINS diversion program offers information and referral, case management and advocacy to youth at risk for CHINS petitions. It is an avenue for holding youth accountable for their behavior while empowering them to make changes in their own lives. Law-Related Education (LRE) is a course designed to provide first offenders with the knowledge, understanding, and the skills necessary to function as law-abiding citizens. Monadnock Action Network for Youth (MANY) is a coalition of providers, youth, parents, community members and schools that work to coordinate and strategically organize school and community youth programs along with developing safe and sober lifestyles and effective prevention efforts for youth in the community. Summer Youth Employment -- The Summer Youth Employment Program employs only youth (ages 14-15) who reside in the City of Keene and would like to gain work experience through a part-time job during the summer months.

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MAPS Counseling Services

MAPS provides individual, family and group counseling to residents of the Monadnock Region. Our sliding fee makes our services available to all, regardless of income or insurance status. MAPS is offering Expressive Art & Music Therapy groups for girls, ages 9 - 12 and 13 - 17. We also have resources for parenting problems, school problems and other problems that teens often are dealing with.

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ItsAboutUs.org

“www.ItsAboutUs.org Where You’re the Boss!” ItsAboutUs.org is a website for youth in the Monadnock Region directed by the web steering team with support from the City of Keene Youth Services and Police Departments, Cheshire UNH Cooperative Extension, SAU #29, MANY, Dartmouth Hitchcock-Keene, the Monadnock United Way and The Keene Sentinel as the Webmaster. ItsAboutUs.org posts local teen events in the “What’s Up?” section and gives local youth an opportunity to express themselves by posting their art, poetry, essays and even movie reviews! Teens can read their horoscope, get answers to Frequently Asked Questions and enter contests to win valuable prizes! Free e-mail and web pages too! This site is a partner site to ItsForParents.org.

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Monadnock Action Network with Youth (MANY)

MANY, established in 1999, is a network and coalition of youth, providers, parents, community members, law enforcement officials, business people, and schools, working together to support healthy opportunities, safe and sober lifestyles, and effective prevention efforts for youth. MANY partners work together to make sure school and community efforts for youth are more strategic, effective, coordinated, and efficient by increasing awareness of and access to youth programs and prevention programs in the schools and communities of SAU29 and SAU38 in the Monadnock Region.

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Monadnock Area Teen Health (MATH)

MATH is a health center for teens operated by Monadnock Community Hospital located at the River Center, 44 Concord Street in Peterborough. Hours are Mondays 3:00 to 6:30pm. Care is affordable($5.00 donations), accessable (ConVal late bus can drop and pick up teens at the library down the street), and comprehensive (any medical concern can be addressed there.
Contact: Marcia Collins
Phone: 924-4699, ext 4244

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Monadnock Developmental Services

121 Railroad Street, Keene, NH 03431 phone 603 352-1304 800 469-6082 (in NH)
Monadnock Developmental Services (MDS) is a non-profit agency in Keene, NH, designated by the state to assist individuals with disabilities to live in their communities. MDS provides assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities, children with chronic health conditions, adults with an acquired brain disorder, and elders who want non-medical assistance in their homes.

Services Available:

• Reach Out - click here for details
• Children's Service Coordination - helps families determine the best supports for children up to age 21.
• Specialty Services - provides intake, respite, Early Supports and Services, Nursing, and the Personal Care Services Program.
• Children's Individual Services - provides direct support to children in order to participate with peers at home, at school, and at play.
• Parent Aid Program - promotes healthy family environments by coordinating with schools and other social service agencies.
• LifeArt - a community resource center for meetings and activities open to everyone in downtown Keene.

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Monadnock Family Services

(1) Substance Abuse Services provides services to teens and families around the issues of alcohol and other drug use and abuse. Services provided include assessments, and court ordered evaluations, individual and family counseling and assistance with locating other services and support for teens and parents. Kevin Holfelner is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and can be reached at the MFS offices at: 357-4400 or at Keene High School on Tuesdays at 352-0640.
(2) Cheshire Mediation offers free, confidential parent-youth mediations and peer mediations in the schools. Mediation is a process for resolving conflict between parents and youth in a voluntary, cooperative setting. The Circles of Support and Accountability program uses volunteers to work with youth at risk of being placed outside of the family, offering support, while holding the youth accountable to a plan for succeeding in the community. Child Impact Classes are ongoing trainings for parents that help minimize the risk that divorce and separation will have an adverse affect on their children. For more information call Kate Kerman at 357-9673 or go to our web site at www.cheshiremediation.org
(3) Student Assistance Program Programs are offered both at the offices on 64 Main St Keene or at the respective schools. The Student Assistance Counselor provides both prevention and treatment services to children, teens, and their families. Topics covered range from managing school stress to sexual harassment to drugs and alcohol education. Both group and individual counseling is done in an open, safe, supportive, non-judgmental and confidential atmosphere. Students may address their own concerns, or concerns about friends or family members. Parent referrals, questions and/or concerns can also be addressed.
Kristin Orsucci, MA, Keene Middle School MFS (357-4400 X544) or KMS (357-9020 X178).
Cindy Heselov, LICSW, Keene High School 352-0640 X 3726 (direct) 352-0640 X 7726 (voice mail)

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MUW (Monadnock United Way) Helpline

MUW HELPLINE Have a problem?  Call the MUW helpline at (603)-352-1999 or 1-800-368-4357

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Phoenix House

SASY Program (Self-Assessment Saturdays for Youth) - SASY is an educational group that targets young people (12-22) who are experimenting with alcohol and/or other drugs.  Topics covered in this program include:

• Knowing the signs of high risk use and addiction

• Making an assessment of one’s use of alcohol and/or other drugs

• Achieving success through examining values and activities, goals and support. 

Anyone can make a referral to the SASY program.

MATI Program (Monadnock Adolescent Treatment Initiative) - a mobile outpatient treatment and positive youth development program for teens and young adults (ages 12-22) with alcohol and drug problems.  MATI enlists the skills and support of a Youth Coach who works with the teen on learning life skills.  MATI also assists teens and their family in learning effective communication skills around issues important to teens and their families.  Anyone can make a referral to the MATI program.

All referrals go through
Alisa Bento
Community Education and Referral Specialist
Adolescent Outpatient
Phoenix House - Keene
106 Roxbury St.
Keene, NH 03431
603-358-5035 X6474 or Selection 4
abento@phoenixhouse.org

We also have the ability to do LADC assessments.  Same contact info.

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PPNE

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, 8 Middle St. Keene NH Phone: 352-6898 If you have questions you’d like to ask about ways to talk with your children about sexuality or would like to host a house party with your friends on “Talking with your Kids About Sexuality”, please call our educator and trainer, Katherine McLaughlin at 352-0934 Information about Teen Sexuality is available on our Facts of Life Line(pre-recorded messages) at 1-800-359-3359

Planned Parenthood provides affordable, confidential family planning and reproductive health services to women and men of all ages including:

• Annual gynecologic exams, breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up treatment for abnormal pap tests
• Birth control information and supplies, including free condoms and emergency contraception
• Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
• HIV/AIDS education, counseling and testing
• Pregnancy testing and referrals for prenatal care, adoption or abortion
• Diagnosis and treatment for urinary and vaginal infections
• Menopause support and hormone replacement therapy
• Appointments to discuss questions you have regarding sexuality and reproductive health

Medical services and supplies are available on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay. Insurances are accepted.. Payment plans are available.

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 Resources for you and yours during the holiday season

 • Town and City Welfare offices- call for details regarding holiday
    assistance as each town is different.      
 • Project Share at the Keene Recreation Center 352-8464
 • Salvation Army-gifts for kids-call 352-0607
 • The Community Kitchen- for food boxes at Thanksgiving and
    Christmas 352-3200
 • Local Churches- contact your church for details about it's Christmas
   programs.
 • Civic Organizations (Elks, Eagles, Lions, Moose etc.)

 

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Samaritans/Samariteens

Jennifer Costa, Executive Director; Business Office: (603) 357-5510
24-hotline: (603) 357-5505 or (603) 924-7000
e-mail: samarita@worldpath.net website: www.muw.org/samaritans
The Samaritans program was developed to serve the needs of community members at risk of suicide. The program provides support, education, information and referrals and is not focused on counseling but rather befriending. The Samaritans offer four services to the community: 1) a confidential suicide prevention crisis hotline that is open to all callers 24 hours a day, 2) educational outreach programs to the community 3) organization and facilitation of a support group for individuals whom have lost a loved one to suicide and 4) postvention services to schools and communities after a suicide or sudden death occurs. All programs are free of charge. There are no eligibility requirements.

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School Guidance

On a daily basis, school counselors are involved in character education, violence prevention, career planning and much more. Today's school counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. Professional school counselors are certified/licensed professionals with a masters' degree or higher in school counseling or the substantial equivalent and are uniquely qualified to address the developmental needs of all students. Professional school counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program encouraging all students' academic, career and personal/social development and helping all students in maximizing student achievement.

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School Nurse

The School Nurses role has become a specialized practice that advances the well being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students. School Nurses help students understand normal development, promote health and safety, and intervene with health problems. They develop individual health plans for injured, disabled, or health impaired students. They teach health and wellness to students and faculty, maintain health records according to state law, and monitor the health of the school environment. They are not Primary Care Providers but perform assessments and make referrals to the student’s physician. Their overall goal is to maintain wellness, facilitate the removal of health related barriers to learning and help promote an optimum environment for earning.
Catherine Kissell RN-BSN and Harriet Davenport RN-BS, Keene High School Nurses

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School Psychologist

The school psychologist can offer parents a variety of strategies to address concerns they may have about their child regarding a wide range of social and emotional needs. This can include assistance in determining whether a referral for psychological evaluation would be helpful or whether primary interventions at the classroom level might solve a problem. Counseling services can be provided when a child is identified with an emotional condition that negatively impacts his or her education. Parents may be referred to an appropriate resource within the school that may provide support in specific problem areas, or given names for outside professionals to provide support for home-based issues. Some recurring issues the school psychologist may be involved with include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or stress at home or with peers. Parents may have confidential discussions to get direction for addressing their child’s issues.
Keene High School – Dean Robinson, 352-0640 X 3798, drobinson@sau29.org

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School Social Worker

School Social Work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. School Social Workers are instrumental in furthering the purpose of the schools: To provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence. School social workers are hired by school districts to enhance the district's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving that mission.
 

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Student Assistance Team at Keene High School

The Student Assistance Team consists of your child's school counselor, the personal counselor, the school nurses, the school psychologists, the Cheshire Center career advisor, the Peer Mediation advisor, And part time student assistance counselor. One of the major goals of this group is to provide nonacademic support to students so they may be more successful in school. These trained professionals offer individual and group counseling on a range of adolescent concerns.
For more information about these services contact Keene High School Main office.   Visit the Keene High School website
 

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Monadnock United Way Help Line

For a complete, searchable list of Monadnock United Way agencies please visit http://www.muw.org/ssguide/howtogethelp-home.asp

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DCYF
write-up needed

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Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention
write-up needed

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Parent Line - Family Services of Greater Peterborough
write-up needed

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