WIC Program--The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children The WIC Program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education and health screenings to income-eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk. All program participants receive nutrition education regarding appropriate foods to eat during pregnancy, breastfeeding, infancy and childhood to promote optional growth and development. WIC promotes breastfeeding as the optimal method of feeding an infant. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are available to provide support and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers. WIC provides referrals to social service and health care providers. WIC participants receive a food prescription in the form of a voucher that can be redeemed at authorized stores. Foods provided include those high in iron, calcium, vitamin A and C (such as milk and cheese), cereals high in iron, fruit juices, peanut butter infant cereal and juices. WIC clinics are located at 14 sites throughout Merrimack, Belknap and Grafton Counties with convenient daytime, evening and weekend hours. For information or to arrange an appointment call 225-2050 (Concord area) or 1-800-578-2050. Go to the direct link for information on WIC at http://www.bm-cap.org/wic.htm Link to income eligibility guidelines: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/incomeguidelines.htm

Commodity Supplemental Food Program - CSFP This nutrition program offers participants free nutritious foods to supplement their diets. CSFP helps to improve the health of income-eligible new mothers (up to one year postpartum), children (up to age six) and seniors (aged 60 years and older) by providing nutrition education and a supplemental USDA commodity food package. The monthly food package provides a variety of foods such as cereal, nonfat dry and evaporated milk, juice, rice, pasta, egg mix, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meat, poultry or tune, and cheese. Nutrition education is provided to participants and includes information on dietary intake, food preparation, food safety and recipes for preparing the commodity foods. Food is distributed at the Concord Warehouse and in communities throughout Merrimack, Belknap, Grafton, and Coos Counties. For information, call 225-2050 (concord) or 1-800-578-2050. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/CSFP_IncomeGuidelines07.pdf

Farmer's Market Nutrition Program - FMNP The Farmer's Market Nutrition Program provides participants of the CSFP and WIC programs with coupons to purchase fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables that are locally grown from authorized farmer's markets during the summer months. The FMNP provides nutrition education, information on food preparation, and encouragement to participants to improve and expand their diets by adding fresh fruits and vegetables. The program supports local farmers in the State by introducing customers to them. Go to our website for an extensive list of nutrition information and resources. Click on the links for specific information. http://www.bm-cap.org/links.htm 

The Friends Program... Founded in 1975, The Friends Program is a non-profit, social service organization that strengthens communities by building relationships that empower people, encourage community service, and restore faith in the human spirit. A United Way agency, the organization strives to achieve this goal through the implementation of mentoring programs for at-risk youth, emergency housing for homeless families and medically challenged individuals, an intergenerational program that creates meaningful opportunities for seniors to work with children, and a volunteer service program that connects people of faith with elderly people in need of assistance to maintain their independent lifestyle.

Foster Grandparents Everyday at schools, daycare centers, and Head Start Programs, Foster Grandparent volunteers give back to their communities. They share a lifetime of experiences with children and adolescents to help support learning, sharpen skills, and offer encouragement. Foster Grandparent volunteers help provide children with: Time and attention Mentoring and friendship Healthier relationships with peers and adults Brighter futures

Programs are funded through federal and state funds.
1. Free home visiting programs for income eligible families with children prenatal to age 3 to offer family support, and early education.
2. Free preschool for income eligible families with children ages 3 and 4.
3. Child care for income eligible families with children ages 6 weeks to 4 years, sliding scale fee. (Full time only)
4. Community child care for 3 and 4 year olds without regard to family income, sliding scale fee. (Full time only)

Family Support
Resource Coordinators work with families in their community, supporting families with resources, information, emotional support, respite, and creative solutions.

Early Intervention
Provides support to families who have children, birth to age 3, who have developmental delays and /or concerns.  Services include evaluations, home visits, and service coordination.

Giggles and Grins
Located at 20 Canal Street in Laconia, New Hampton, Alton and Pymouth. This is a place where families can come to meet with other parents, participate in organized playgroups or free play, gather information, participate in parenting and other classes related to family life, and find support from other parents.

Step Ahead
A family support program for families who have children age birth to 18 who are in need of information, resources and support around parenting and family life. 

Child Care Resources and Referral
LRCSC works with the community to support families to access child care and to support child care providers to provide quality environments for children. 

Shared Family Living
Fosters opportunities for families to share their homes with people with developmental disabilities.  Provider family roles include mentoring the individual with a disability to foster independence and encourage community involvement in pursuit of the individual's hopes, dreams, talents and gifts. 

Supported Independent Living
The Supported Independent Living (SIL) program offers assistance to people with developmental disabilities who either live in, or are planning to move into, their own home.  The supports provided through the SIL program shall be designed with respect for each individual's ability to determine and arrange the services he or she will receive, and will promote personal development consistent with each individual's needs, interests, abilities, achievements, and goals.

Community Partners for Children
This initiative is promoting school readiness. With the use of Born Learning, CPC will increase public awareness of the critical nature of quality childhood experiences in school success.  Community Partners for Children is working with others in the community to create a comprehensive system of early learning services and supports. Click here for an update on the Born Learning program. Volunteer opportunities are available. Complete a contact card and return it to Deb Rosato and have some fun while you help to spread the word. Click here for volunteer opportunities.
Click here for an update on the Readiness Workgroup initiative.

Personal Choice Program
This program gives elderly and chronically ill individuals a new option for home services.  It offers a non-medical, hands-on services from a staff which the individual or authorized representative, gets to choose, hire, and supervise.  The program coordinator will provide mentoring and support with the process.

The Pemi Youth Center is a local not-for-profit organization serving as a safe and well supervised after school destination for local youth ages 11-17.  The center provides quality after school programming with activities including academic assistance, mentoring, nutritional guidance/cooking instruction, art and recreation activities, support groups, and community service learning opportunities. 
 
All programming and services are offered at no cost to youth/families.
 
Giggles and Grins North Playgroup also offered at the Pemi Youth Center.