Another view Legislative advances for families and children

The current session of the N.H. Legislature has demonstrated ways in which to support children and families, particularly those at risk of not succeeding. In the coming months, we must contemplate how to further enhance these efforts to ensure that all N.H. children are secure and nurtured in their homes, are prepared to learn, and have access to effective public education.

Families entering the job market experience a number of challenges. The Legislature approved release of reserve funds to provide child care subsidies for these families. In addition, a program will prepare adults to find and maintain sustainable employment. Steady employment reduces dependency and encourages personal investment in quality education for children.

The authorization of expanded Medicaid for an additional five years has been among the most significant pieces of legislation this session. This provides insurance to 50,000 adults permitting parents to maintain their health so they can provide for their children and work toward becoming economically independent. For those affected by the opioid epidemic, this insurance allows access to needed health care and the ability to care for their children.

Protection of N.H.'s children from abuse and neglect has been enhanced with prevention measures in concert with the new leadership in the Division of Children Youth and Families. The network of Family Resource Centers are receiving initial funding to provide a variety of proven programs to assist families struggling with parenting. Additional funds have been made available for families to engage in voluntary services when DCYF finds risks within families but does not have sufficient concern to maintain an active case.

The new Office of Child Advocate has been staffed with Director Moira O'Neill and legislation was passed to allow this office to be fully functional. This independent office identifies system deficits which can leave children vulnerable to neglect or abuse.

Vulnerable youth who may prematurely enter into marriage have been the subject of much discussion in the legislature over the past two years. Although the desire had been to increase the age of marriage from 13 to 18, this year the legislature approved an increase to age 16 with additional judicial protections for anyone under 18 entering into a marriage contract.

Many families in N.H. have adult children affected by significant developmental disabilities. For a decade the state financial support to help these families maintain affected children in their homes has languished. In this legislative session a $5 million appropriation was made to allow more of these families to receive the help they need.

Although N.H. has pride in its public education system, financing has become a greater burden for many municipalities. There have been efforts within the Legislature to erode the financing of public schools in favor of private school funding. The most recent efforts were defeated in the House, prohibiting, for the time being, a siphoning of public funds for private education. Improving our public schools should always be our priority.

The N.H. education system and network of supports for families and children are marginally supported by the state. The current Legislature made an honest effort to use its limited revenues to provide additional resources for one year. In eight months the Legislature and governor will propose a new budget. This new budget must build upon the work of the current Legislature to enhance the security and educational opportunity for all of N.H.'s children.

Rep. Skip Berrien, Rockingham -18, Exeter, serves on the Children and Family Law Committee in the N.H. House.