About the Family Support Program

Family Support, formerly known as Grants & Resources, evolved as a result of the 2006 State of NH's Brain Injury Community Support Program initiative.  The initiative is a collaboration between Bureau of Developmental Services and Brain Injury Association of NH whose purpose is to assist individuals with brain injuries live in the community. As a result, Family Support was structured to address another area of unmet needs for brain injury - support for family caregivers.

Family Support focuses on the needs of those who are often most affected but least recognized in the life of an individual with a brain injury - the family members.  Like a rock thrown into a pond, brain injury creates a ripple effect and can fracture the stability of close and extended relationships.  While the survivor of the stroke or traumatic accident receives attention, care and support, there is often little attention, care and support available to those who are left to pick up the pieces.  Without consistent support, information and networking opportunities; these caregivers can become disenfranchised with their former identities, leading to isolation, illness, depression and often, divorce.

The Family Caregiver Support Group meets three times per month from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Community Campus in Portsmouth, NH.  Two of those groups are designed for family members to gather together to talk about their concerns and to get and give support.  The other group is a meditation/gentle yoga group for family members to come and relax, breathe and take time for themselves. Please see the SteppingStones Schedule for the dates.

Family Support Emergency Grant:
 

• FY 2007, TKBIF has appropriated $10,000 to fund grant awards for the benefit of individuals and families.

• Focus on the needs and quality of life issues of SteppingStones members and/or their family caregivers.

• For all other applicants, we are the funder of last resort, with first referral to the State of NH thru BIANH (please contact Maureen Long at    (603)769-0203 for more information), or to other resources.

• We give priority consideration to urgent  financial emergencies that cannot be addressed by any other resources.

• We focus on “recent” injury – generally defining “recent” as within 2 years; some discretion will be exercised when new developments/new crisis present a “recent” need.

• In addition, we will consider applications from those individuals who do not meet the guidelines for the state’s grant program and have no where else to turn. These applicants must provide verbal/written denial from the state.

Should you apply?

Although we take every brain injury seriously, we dedicate our limited resources to helping families and individuals who demonstrate significant financial need facing the difficulties of life after a severe brain injury caused by trauma, tumor or stroke.

If you live in the state of New Hampshire, and you think you may be eligible for our help, please call Lisa Hanson (603) 433-9821 or proceed to the application page.