Family Morning Out Playgroups Help Young Children Develop Social Skills and Caregivers Find Support

The Family Center staff at Families First & Support Center offers weekly playgroups in five different towns and cities on the Seacoast.
The Family Morning Out playgroups are designed for children 6 and under and their caregivers, and are offered at no cost. The small group sessions include crafts, conversation, singalongs, and story time.
At Age 72, Roz Completes First 5K at Father’s Day 5K

Wanting to improve her physical health led Rosamond “Roz” Mason to complete her first road race at this year’s Father’s Day 5K in Dover on June 18.
After undergoing bariatric surgery, she joined a support group. Group members organized a walk at Willand Pond, which became a big turning point for Roz.
“They Welcomed Me”—Substance Use Disorder Patient Cared For by Behavioral Health Staff

Close to 20 years ago, ‘Suzy’ (name has been changed) found herself in need of behavioral health services after she lost custody of her two children due to substance use disorder.
She realized that she needed help and found Families First Health & Support Center in Portsmouth.
Providing Accessible Cancer Screening and Treatment

Registered medical assistant Donna Bernier recalls receiving an emotional call from a woman in the community who found a lump in her breast. The woman hadn’t seen a doctor in 20 years and needed a biopsy. Donna coordinates the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which has helped thousands of patients obtain cancer screenings.
Read more. . .
Medication Therapy Management Program Aims to Help Patients with Diabetes

As an effort to improve quality of life for patients with diabetes, the integrated health care departments at Greater Seacoast Community Health worked together to develop a pilot Medication Therapy Management program to reduce patients’ blood sugar levels.
Read more. . .
Navigating the Marketplace after Medicaid Unwinding

When Justin and Jessica received notice that they might lose Medicaid coverage, they didn’t know what they were going to do. Both have chronic health conditions and need continuous health insurance coverage. They met with one of our Outreach and Enrollment Specialists to figure out what to do.
Read more. . .
Compassionate Care Helps Patient Lead Healthier Lifestyle

In 2002, Portsmouth resident Ballard was a carpentry supervisor for the Big Dig in Boston, and he had insurance through a local carpenters’ union. Then he fell on the job and hurt his leg.
Read more. . .
Helping Seacoast Kids Feel at Ease at the Dentist

School-based dental hygienists Trish Mayotte and Camille Fagadore love teaching Seacoast elementary students about oral hygiene and helping them feel comfortable with dental care. But they don’t do it alone. They rely on some furry friends to help them.
Treating the Whole Person with Care and Respect

When Marc first approached the Mobile Health Clinic in Rochester, he could quickly see how patients were being greeted and it wasn’t what he expected. He thought he’d have a brief visit and a pat on the back, but it was so much more than that.
“I was very impressed,” he said. “You could tell they cared about their patients. The service was incredible.”
Community Health Nurse Chosen for Statewide Panel

In recognition of the quality of our Hepatitis C program, Deneige Hudanish, RN, was chosen for a 10-person statewide panel working to improve the state’s strategies to eliminate viral hepatitis and to ensure that people who inject drugs are included in the plan. Read more…
Integrated Health Services Make a Difference for Patient

As a long-time patient, Betty is well-known by many of the organization’s staff members. She appreciates the organization’s integrated health services and she has received primary care, asthma care, diabetes care, and dental care providers. Betty says she feels like the organization is one big family where she is listened to and has her needs met. Read more. . .
Care Coordinator Returns to Dream Job

In 2022, social worker Lisa LeBlanc rejoined the Greater Seacoast Community Health team for her dream job as the Mobile Health Care Coordinator. She originally started with Families First in 2015 and after a brief departure, Lisa found that her heart was truly in community health care and chose to return. Read more. . .