Many families face the challenges of raising children with chronic health conditions. At times, the issues can be overwhelming and interfere with everyday activities. Turning to families and friends is often not enough, so Gateways Community Services has created the Partners in Health program to offer support and resources to families of children with all chronic health conditions from birth to age 21.

Children with special healthcare needs make up 6% of the population of New Hampshire. Many of the families confront numerous daily challenges, including medical, insurance, family and educational concerns. Partners in Health stresses a family centered approach to help families define their needs and build competence and skills to cope with their child's health condition.

In New Hampshire, Family Councils are the core of the Partners in Health Program. Each Council is managed by the parents of children with chronic health conditions.

A Family Support Coordinator visits the family to identify the needs related to the child's illness and formulate an action plan to resolve these needs.

Call 603 882-6333 to arrange an initial family home visit by a Partners in Health Coordinator who will explain the program as well as collect the necessary information needed for eligibility.

Eligible Conditions:
Partners in Health services families in NH who have children from birth to age 21 with a with a chronic health condition expected to be ongoing for six months or longer, certified by a physician, and having a significant impact on daily life. These chronic health conditions include (but are not limited to):

• Asthma
• Blindness
• Diabetes
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Cancer
• Mitochondrial Disorder

At Partners in Health, we offer:

• A chance to meet other families of children with chronic health conditions
• Someone who will listen
• Ways to learn about medical/insurance/educational issues
• Assistance with grant writing
• Resources during times of crises
• Help finding community activities

More ways:
Our Family Support Coordinators (FSC's) are friendly, family centered, and flexible. They work directly with families and offer help that is based upon their needs. Our FSC's are available when families need support and they listen and understand.

FSC's collaborate with families to:

• Find appropriate information, services and resources in New Hampshire and beyond
• Connect them with a variety of support groups
• Make flexible funds available for such things as emergency food, medicine, transportation, summer camp and recreation
• Fill out applications for grants and insurance coverage
• Find additional fund for modifying vans and homes
• Enhance communication with schools and attend IEP meetings
• Make special arrangements during hospitalization and after discharge
• Find opportunities for parents to take a break
• Promote their goals

Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is the cost?