Second, our internal operations had been whittled down to essentials during the lockdowns of 2020-2021, giving rise to a necessary surge of efficiency and massively improved cross-program assistance to help families needing more than one of our services.  In doing so, we attained a long-standing goal of having a “whole person approach” that addresses the multiple needs of one family. 

New Hampshire’s glass is half-full

Walk down the halls at our headquarters in Bradley Commons and you will definitely notice an optimistic atmosphere.  While we are aware of the many challenges ahead, there are some great things going on in NH.  

In 2022, New Hamphshire ranked as the #1 healthiest state in the U.S. (America’s Health Rankings Annual Report, December 2022).  This ranking includes a variety of factors that include social and economic factors (i.e. community and family safety, economic resources, education, and social support and engagement), physical environment (including housing and transit), clinical care (access to and quality of care), behaviors (including nutrition), and health outcomes (like drug related deaths, low birthweight, and chronic obesity).  

In addition, New Hampshire ranked #3 in the nation for seniors, thanks to the low risk of social isolation, low rate of chronic disease, and higher rates of physical activity.

Not coincidentally, CAPSC programming directly supports each of the factors listed above, from helping families with young children get their best start, to helping place people in permanent housing, as well as providing nutrition services and providing transportation to seniors.  

We absolutely believe that it is because of organizations like CAPSC that our state ranks so high, and it is a driving motivator for us to keep doing what we are doing every day!

Want to know more?

Here are just some of our projects and recent honorable mentions we are proud to share with you:

• Housing Stabilization Program – On April 1st, 2023, CAPSC launched the Housing Stabilization Program to address the needs of those facing homelessness due to eviction. The goal of this program will be to keep those that currently have housing in their homes and off the streets and out of shelters. CAPSC staff will determine income eligibility and assist clients with case management and budgetary assistance as the clients move through the process, and in some cases the clients will be temporarily housed in local hotels, until permanent housing is secured.
• Gafney Home – We are slated to begin remodeling the Gafney Home in spring 2023. The project will take 18 to 20 months to complete and will have 21 units of senior housing. CAPSC is working closely with JSA, Resilient Buildings, the City of Rochester, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, and other stakeholders to ensure the project maintains the building’s architectural features while upgrading the infrastructure to accommodate ramps and other features designed to make the property more accessible.
• Expanding into Northern Strafford County – There is much to be done to support the less-densely populated communities of Northern Strafford County.  Part of our strategic plan is to be able to locally serve these communities with a service center like our headquarters in Dover, and we are looking into funding and finding a space to meet this need.   We invite you to read more about this in our interview with Terry Jarvis, CAPSC Board Chair and New Durham resident.

• Additional Housing – In Summer 2023, CAPSC will acquire a 9-bedroom shared living facility for women experiencing homelessness who also have a disability. This will be a subsidy-based program with qualifying individuals having an income of 30% or below the Area Median Income. We will provide case management with the intent for each resident to either transition into an apartment or remain at the facility permanently, depending on the individualized needs of each person.

• Hope on Haven Hill Partnership – CAPSC has partnered with Hope on Haven Hill to expand services offered to pregnant and parenting women receiving treatment through Hope on Haven Hill’s IOP services, who otherwise would not be eligible to enroll in our Early Head Start Home Visiting Services. This collaboration is supported through a SAMSA grant, awarded to Hope on Haven Hill.  CAPSC will provide parenting education and child development, using research-based curriculums, to promote healthy social-emotional development, cognitive development, language and physical development.  Read more about it at our blog.
• Launching of Early Childhood Resource Network – The ECR Network assists childcare professionals and programs in increasing efficiency through automation, and includes guidance, technical support, and a collaborative network approach to strengthen early childhood programs.