New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network (NH CAN)

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Can child advocates in New Hampshire work together to improve children's well-being?

The answer is NH CAN. In 1999, a new force for children was created in our state: the New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network (NH CAN). Founded and supported by the Children's Alliance of NH, NH CAN is a network of nearly 200 organizations and individuals (NH CAN partners and advisors) dedicated to improving the health and well-being of NH's children. Our partners include faith-based organizations, legislators, child-serving professionals and business leaders.

NH CAN is governed by a 12-member Steering Committee, which is responsible for its principles and procedures. The network is housed and staffed by the Children's Alliance.

NH CAN's mission, vision, core principles

NH CAN's mission is to drive governmental policy, change budget priorities, and inspire community action to improve the health and well-being of children and youth.

NH CAN's vision is that all children and youth in New Hampshire will live in healthy and nurturing environments that enable them to reach their full potential.

Fire core principles are at the center of NH CAN's work:

• Every child in New Hampshire should have a meaningful opportunity to develop to his or her full potential.
• Parents, families, communities, all levels of government and the business sector have a shared obligation to assure this meaningful opportunity for all children.
• Supporting children means supporting families.
• Prevention is the most effective intervention.
• Any and all interventions need to respect diverse racial, cultural and economic differences.

Priorities for NH's Children

Together, NH CAN's partners and advisors create and advocate for an annual public policy agenda containing priorities for child-centered policies and budgets.

The Priorities for NH's Children:

• Documents children's needs;
• Sets long-range goals to improve child well-being in the areas of Education, Health, Economic Security and Safety and Protection; and
• Recommends specific actions at the administrative, legislative, community and individual levels to improve the lives of children.

Children's Priorities downloads

• 2006 (Full - PDF)
• 2005 (Full - PDF)
• 2004 (Full - PDF)
• 2003 (Full - PDF)
• 2001 (Full - PDF)
• 2000
  • Cover (PDF)
  • Body (PDF)
  • Executive summary (PDF)
  • Open letter (PDF)