One can not understand the mission and goals of Coos Families, Connected! without being acquainted with a brief history of the Family Court in New Hampshire.

The Family Court or the 'Family Division' as it is known is a part of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch established by the New Hampshire Legislature. Initially the Family Division began as a pilot project in two New Hampshire Counties. In 2005, the Legislature and Governor expanded the Family Court to all ten counties with Coos County being the first new county to come 'on line' in April, 2006.

Two concepts serve as the structural underpinnings of the Family Court. First, all family related cases (divorce, unwed parenting cases, domestic violence, juvenile justice, abuse and neglect of children and guardianships of minors) are now within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Family Court. Second, the Family Court is committed to the principle of 'one family - one judge'. Together these two concepts empower the Court system to have one Judge preside and issue rulings in cases where a family is involved in cross-jurisdictional cases (one child in juvenile court while the parents are seeking a divorce, etc.). Many families suffer from co-occurring events, crises and needs and this design enables one Judge to be aware of all the ongoing issues in the family as these co-occurring situations develop.

For the first time in the history of Coos County, one Judge, assisted by one Marital Master, have a one on one opportunity to observe, engage with, rule and guide Court involved families, regardless of where in Coos County the family may reside. With that opportunity comes many challenges, the first and foremost which is growing understanding of the lack resources available to Coos families in need, and their respective inabilities to access those resources. Geography, fuel costs, the state of our local economy, cultural divides, etc., all serve as challenges for families in need to access human services.

With that growing understanding of the need, Coos Families, Connected! was convened by the Court in the fall of 2007 to address the short and long term challenges of connecting families to the resources they need to build and sustain healthier family relationships.

In sum, Coos Families, Connected! does not seek to duplicate the delivery of human services. Rather we are working towards a county-wide environment where by families and human services can be better connected.

Vision Statement: Coos County is a community where children and families live with dignity, respect and lead healthy productive lives.

Mission Statement: To connect children and families with resources to address the challenges and conflicts within their lives, safely, respectfully and successfully.

Our Commitment: To:

• Network and collaborate existing resources;
• Advocate for resource development; and
• Provide stewardship for the expansion of the continuum of care by engaging citizen and local government participation.

Membership: Membership in Coos Families, Connected! is open to the public, any individual, program, agency and/or business committed to supporting the Mission and willing to contribute to its Visions and Goals.

Membership is open; no memberships or activities of the association are motivated by racial, gender, ethnic, religious or sexual preferences and the governing body does not discriminate on these or any other inappropriate basis. Members are asked to sign an Acknowledgement recognizing the Mission, Vision and non-discriminatory policy of the group.

General members will meet every other month, on Thursdays at 6:00 with the goal of completing that meeting's business by 7:30 pm

Meetings shall occur at the Groveton High School (contingent upon availability) as this facility approximates the geographic center of Coos County.

General Members will be asked to execute a Membership Acknowledgment setting forth the general terms of agreement with the Mission Statement, willingness to be associated with the County-Wide efforts of the council, and acceptance of the non-discrimination policies. By signing the Membership Acknowledgment General Members consent to the publication of their name as members of Coos Families, Connected!

Executive Committee: From its membership the group will select up to nine Executive Committee Members whom shall collectively share the responsibility for decision making as may be appropriate in between general membership meetings, setting general membership agendas, drafting recommendations for consideration at general membership meetings and making decisions on the expenditure of funds donated to the group and reporting upon all of its activities to the general membership.

Members of the Executive Committee shall be selected to provide the three (3) areas of the County with equal representation. Members to be elected to the following terms:

Berlin catchments area 3 members (1 one year term, 1 two year term, 1 three year term)
Colebrook catchments area 3 members (1 one year term, 1 two year term, 1 three year term)
Lancaster catchments area 3 members (1 one year term, 1 two year term, 1 three year term)

The Executive Committee shall select one member to act as Chairman with a one year term, a clerk, with a one year term and such other officers as deemed necessary by the Committee.

Fiscal Agent: North Country Health Consortium, Inc., (NCHC) of 7 Main Street in Whitefield, New Hampshire is serving as the Fiscal Agent of Coos Families, Connected! and the terms and conditions of a certain Memorandum of Understanding between these organizations was acknowledged and ratified by the general membership in December, 2007. NCHC is already managing modest donations made to Coos Families Connected!.

Fiscal Planning and Disbursements: The Funding/Grants Committee of the council is in the process of applying for various planning grants and grants to assist in the creation of the Resource Guide as discussed below.

Funding disbursement decisions will be made by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, applying the reasoning and discussions generated at the General Membership meetings. The Executive Committee shall make regular report to the General Membership on fund disbursements.

Decision Making: Decisions will be made by consensus, if possible. In the event that consensus is not reached, each member in attendance shall have one vote and all decisions are made by a simple majority.

All members will, and are encouraged to contribute to the decision making process in the development of the goals and objectives of the association.

Members serve in an advisory capacity in support of the goals and objectives of the group. Programs, agencies and coalitions involved in the day-to-day administration and implementation of human services, their management and members reserve the right to become involved in any projects or proposals that impact their corporate goals and/or fiscal responsibilities.

Committees: The following committees have been organized and have begun regular meetings to address specific ongoing projects:

Standing Committees
Executive (will replace the existing Organizational Committee)
Funding / Grants Committee
Resource Guide Committee
Outreach Committee
Ad Hoc Committees as arise per project

Goals 2008: The following Goals 2008 were articulated by the General Membership:

• Coos Families Connected! will develop and provide a Web-Based Resource Guide of services and providers for families and children in the Coos County area;
• Coos Families Connected! will identify the strengths and weaknesses in human services and delivery systems of the County, State and local towns in order to meet the needs of families and children;
• Coos Families Connected! will establish easy access to information through the Internet, CD's hard copies, etc, ; and target a review to be conducted every six (6) months for distribute throughout the county; and,
• Coos Families Connected! will establish a working structure that is representative of the county.

General Membership / Meeting Summaries