editor's pick

June 20, 2018

LONDONDERRY — It was a gathering of minds, ideas, and community collaboration as the South Central New Hampshire Public Health Network hosted its annual meeting Tuesday at the Londonderry YMCA.

The network is a connective effort joining partner agencies working to improve community and public health services across the region by implementing programs and developing solutions to help with issues like substance misuse, education, childcare, social services, emergency preparedness and response, and behavioral health.

The network serves Atkinson, Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown and Windham.

The meeting in Londonderry joined representatives from participating organizations and agencies including Community Alliance for Teen Safety, Center for Life Management, The Upper Room, Greater Derry Community Health Services, and Parkland Medical Center.

Donna Tighe, lead for the network's Public Health Advisory Council, said the work done by the collaboration of agencies since the group formed is a testament to the support of many involved.

"It's been a year of hard work," Tighe said. "We see the progress we are making as a whole in the network."

That progress, according to Londonderry Assistant Town Manager Lisa Drabik, includes Londonderry's effort to offer more resources to residents of all ages, with an emphasis on family support, recovery and those battling substance misuse.

Drabik said the community initiated the Healthy Londonderry program, reaching out to residents through social media platforms to offer education, information and links to services for a variety of issues or needs.

Londonderry YMCA Branch Director Lisa Fitzgerald said the local facility is working hard to support families and their children through many opportunities and programs.

But Fitzgerald noted it takes the hands of many to make things work.

"We are focusing on partnering and collaborating to get the work done," she said. "There is not one organization that can do and serve all in the community."

Fitzgerald said Y programs stress teen issues, with initiatives in place along with The Upper Room to address critical needs like family support workshops, and parenting support groups

She said last fall a community forum event gave valuable information about how people feel about certain issues. That led to a list of priorities to work on.

Keynote speaker Lara Quiroga is program director of Manchester's Project Launch program, and a young child wellness coordinator through that city's community health center. She said being involved during the young, formative years is key.

She encouraged the Southern New Hampshire network to consider working more with younger children to help understand how they live, how families are structured and what, if any, adverse effects a stressful upbringing might mean in later life.

Data is showing, Quiroga said, that in Manchester these efforts are paying off.

"I encourage you to think about the children in your communities and what support your families might need," Quiroga said, "so they can grow up to be healthy, confident, productive members of society."

Tighe said the network's work is never done.

"We never get to say, 'Wow, we're done,' and all we can say is 'Wow, that was a good day,'" Tighe said.