Healthy Beginnings Healthy Beginnings Endowment is a permanently restricted fund of Concord Hospital established by Dr. Oglesby Young as part of the 1996 Campaign for the Family. Overall, it has presented more than $1.1 million to community non-profits. Funds available through the endowment are distributed annually, in consonance with Concord Hospital’s spending policy, to provide programs, services and support for initiatives that enhance maternal, women’s and child health, as well as the health of families in the Capital region. The endowment is meant to prove as a means to enhance the coordination of health programming and services for families in the community and may support initiatives of Concord Hospital, Granite VNA, Riverbend Community Mental Health and other community not-for-profit organizations to meet the needs of parents in the Greater Concord area. Through an application process and Advisory Committee recommendations, the 2023 grants were awarded to: Archways – The Parenting Education Program ~ $10,000 to support a part-time Parenting Education Coordinator as well as food for meals and childcare providers as needed. Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center – Project CONNECT ~ $5,000 to support the Education Pathway: Prenatal, birth and through baby’s first birthday. Concord School District – The Family Center ~ $11,000 to continue to support Family Center programming at three sites, including salaries, supplies, transportation, and interpretation that supports operations at all three sites. Family Promise of Greater Concord – Partners in Progress Diversion Program ~ $5,500 to help support the need for elevated case management hours to assist families BEFORE they become homeless. Granite VNA – Baby’s First Homecoming ~ $10,000 to support registered nurses who conduct “Baby’s First Homecoming” visits for mothers and infants to help them safely transition from Concord Hospital to home. Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center, Antrim ~ $10,000 to support a variety of programs, including Better Beginnings Parent-Child Programs: parent-Child Playgroups; Positive Solutions for Families training; Grandparents Support Group. Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Education and Resource Center – Shared Reading Program ~ $7,500 to support the Sharing Reading Project and its proposed expansions through Deaf/Hard of Hearing instructors, books for families, an ASL interpreter, captioning services for virtual programming/workshops, and activity materials. Waypoint – The Children’s Place ~ $10,000 to support curriculum development, financial assistance to low-income families who do not qualify for the NH Child Care stipend, enrichment opportunities such as arts, crafts, music and a diaper pantry. Funds are distributed to organizations and programs meeting the following criteria: Age demographic birth to age five; Concord Hospital’s primary service area; Qualified 501(c)3 or not-for-profit organization; The program specifically reflects and supports the parent/child unit. Endowment Goals To provide funds annually to programs, services and projects that contribute most to positive child development and the health of the family. To encourage collaboration and coordination among community providers so as to ensure a focused, collective approach in meeting the needs of area families and eliminate duplication of effort and of expended funds. To involve care providers and community members in determining those programs most vital and deserving of support. Funding Decisions A volunteer advisory committee makes annual recommendations to the Concord Hospital Trust for its endorsement as to the most appropriate use of funds available after considering the health needs of families in the region, with preference given to programs where collaboration is evident. The Concord Hospital Trust Office of Philanthropy administers the fund and provides support to the advisory committee. Funding Process Interested departments or organizations should submit a completed online funding application. The Healthy Beginnings Endowment Committee will review applications and make funding recommendations to the Concord Hospital Trust Board of Trustees. Recipients will be notified in early March and must complete and sign a “Terms of Award” document before funds are released. Funds not used for intended purposes shall be returned to the Healthy Beginnings Endowment. Advisory Committee Members Our volunteer Advisory Committee, comprised of medical professionals, Concord Hospital employees and community members, makes annual recommendations through our Board's Stewardship Committee for its approval as to the most appropriate use of funds available after considering the health needs of families in the region. Oge Young, MD, Chair Dr. Robert Kiefner, MDLinda Mattlage, ARNPCindall Morrison, CNM Donna RaycraftLauren SavageAimee Valeras, PhD, LICSWCarl MoskeyNancy Van Vranken, MD