N.H. Rev. Stat. § 126-M:4

Current through the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 126-M:4 - Duties

The council shall facilitate the development and delivery of wellness and primary prevention services by:

I. Identifying, redirecting, and developing appropriate federal, state, and private funding sources to ensure to the extent possible that:
(a) Existing family resource centers and other community programs providing wellness and primary prevention services for families and children are able to continue to provide quality programs, develop mechanisms to collaborate with each other, and monitor progress in their ability to promote the health and development of the families and children in their communities; and
(b) Communities wishing to develop similar programs and collaborations receive access to technical assistance and available funding from appropriate members of the public and private sector.
II. Assisting in the transmission of state and federal funds which are designated to be utilized in addressing issues related to the wellbeing of families and children in communities. The council may, among other things, assist executive branch agencies in contracting with family resource centers and other community programs to provide wellness and primary preventive services.
II-a. Developing standards of quality to be met to receive the designation as a family resource center of quality. An advisory group shall assist the council in assessing compliance with the standards of quality. The advisory group shall consist of council members and professionals in delivery of services associated with family resource centers. Final decisions of compliance with the criteria set forth by the council and the designation of family resource centers of quality shall be made by the council, in conjunction with the department of health and human services.
II-b.
(a) With the department of health and human services, developing criteria and a selection process for the selection of a facilitating organization to administer the system of family resource centers of quality (FRCQ). The council shall study and issue a report with recommendations regarding the selection process. The council's study shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Defining the role of the facilitating organization within the system of FRCQs.
(2) Determining the necessary duties, services, and related tasks to be provided by the facilitating organization.
(3) Reviewing and identifying any other matter deemed relevant to the development of an application process for the facilitating organization.
(b) The council shall report its recommendations to the commissioner of the department of health and human services on or before September 1, 2017.
III. Assessing, in partnership with agencies that work in cooperation with community-based family resource centers, the current statewide status and providing ongoing monitoring of the availability of family resource centers and other community programs providing wellness and primary prevention services.
IV. Compiling and reviewing research, statistical data, and other relevant information from sources within New Hampshire and around the country for purposes of advising the 3 branches of government with respect to issues confronting children and families in New Hampshire. This would include, but not be limited to, demographic data, vital statistics, "Kids Count" data, school system data, case data from the courts, the department of health and human services, the department of education, and other executive branch departments, expense information related to services and programs provided to children and families, crime records, and university research.
V. Working with existing organizations and other relevant state and private entities to develop new, and where appropriate, enhance existing mechanisms for program quality assurance, technical assistance in program development, and community databases that can be used by local communities to monitor progress toward their established goals.
VI. Serving as an institutional forum and catalyst for the discussion of issues relating to children and families through seminars, forums, special studies, and other means within the limits of available state, federal, and private funding.
VII. Providing information and recommendations to the general court, governor, executive branch departments, the courts, and other public officials, departments or agencies concerning the status and condition of children and families.

RSA 126-M:4

Amended by 2017, 167:3, eff. 6/28/2017.
Amended by 2015, 117:5, eff. 8/7/2015.

1999, 276:1, eff. July 1, 1999. 2015, 117:5, eff. Aug. 7, 2015. 2017, 167:3, eff. June 28, 2017.