Health Care and Family Services
Families First provides "one-stop-shopping" for a broad range of health care and family services. To find out more, read the Families First Welcome Brochure for an overview of all our services, or follow these links for more about: primary care for men, women and children of all ages; prenatal care for low-income women and teens; on-site dental care; mobile health care for the homeless; and many programs for parents and families, both in group and one-on-one settings.
Families First Program History: A Growing Response to Community Needs
|
Year Began |
Program |
Description |
|
1984 |
Comprehensive prenatal medical care, as well as counseling and education in nutrition, substance abuse, smoking cessation, breastfeeding, family planning and parenting support. A social services coordinator works with clients to help them get other services elsewhere in the community. |
|
|
1992 |
Includes parenting classes, parent support groups, parent-child playgroups and other family programs, and free child care while parents attend parenting classes or medical appointments. A care coordinator links clients with resources to help meet their needs. Benefits and services brochure (print on 8.5x14 paper) |
|
|
1992 |
Donated clothing, books, baby accessories and small household items — available at no charge for any community member. Donations accepted weekdays 9 to 4. Guidelines for donors and shoppers Flyer |
|
|
1993 |
Home Visiting |
Individualized support, education, and referral programs for families. Family workers meet with families to identify needs, access services, and learn skills to reduce stress and improve family life. They also provide support and education about infant, child and adolescent development to help parents understand their children's needs. Brochure |
|
1997 |
Comprehensive family medical care, which includes well-child care, substance abuse counseling, social work counseling, nutritional counseling, smoking cessation and health education. |
|
|
1998 |
First Steps |
Home visiting program targeting Families First Prenatal Program participants, which follows families until the child is one year old. Brochure |
|
1999 |
Developmental assessments in Health Center |
Infant and toddler development specialist meets with families in the exam rooms to conduct developmental assessments of children ages 0-3. Provided through funding with Easter Seals. |
|
1999 |
Seacoast Healthy Grins |
School-based oral health education, screening, cleaning and referrals in the Portsmouth area. |
|
2000 |
Mental Health counseling |
Mental health counseling for uninsured Health Center patients provided by Greenleaf Woods Counseling. |
|
2000 |
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening |
Income-eligible women receive free Pap tests, pelvic examinations, clinical breast exams and mammograms through the federal "Let No Woman Be Overlooked" program. Flyer |
2002 |
Partners in Health |
Support and advocacy for families with a chronically ill child. |
| 2002 | Van-based health care teams deliver services to homeless people in eastern Rockingham County and Strafford County. |
|
2003 |
On-site preventive, restorative and emergency oral health care for patients of Families First, as well as oral health education and care coordination. |
| 2008 | Behavioral health specialist |
On-site support for Health Center patients in managing any health condition with a behavioral component, from anxiety and depression to diabetes, hypertension, and more. Also: help with changes such as improving diet and exercise habits or reducing substance use. |
