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April Mission Edition 2026

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March is International Women’s Month, and pictured here are our exceptional women leaders

UPCOMING EVENTS

4/11- NFI Chipotle Fundraiser

4/1-4/30- Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month

4/22- Earth Day- Agency Wide Volunteer Day

Questions about events or have an event you are attending? Email Halie Chavanelle

AsAprilbegins,manyofusarerevelingintheenergyandexcitementofMarchMadness,and weshouldhaveagreatchampionshipgamebetweenUConnandMichigan(IwonderwhoJill isrootingfor)!Watchingtheseamazingteamsworksoseamlesslytogetherisareminderof howpowerfulteamwork,resilience,andsharedpurposecanbe.Iseethesesamequalitieshereat theheartofNFINorth.Nomatterhowbigthechallenge,ourteamsacrossMaineandNew Hampshirecometogethertocelebrateprogress,addressissuesstraighton,andsupportthe individualsandfamiliesweserve.

AprilalsobringsanimportantopportunityforreflectionandgrowthaswerecognizeAutismAcceptanceMonth.While manyofusgrewuphearing“AutismAwarenessMonth,”theshiftto“acceptance”ismeaningful.Awarenessisabout understandingthatautismexists.Acceptanceisaboutembracingpeopleastheyare,valuingneurodiversity,andensuring oursystems,services,andcommunitiesareinclusiveandsupportive.Ibelievethisdistinctionalignscloselywithour missionandvalues.Wearenotjustaware.Wearecommittedtocreatingenvironmentswherepeopletrulybelong.

Atthesametime,wecontinuetonavigateacomplexandevolvingfundinglandscapeBoththeNewHampshireand Mainestatebudgetspresentamixofopportunitiesandchallenges.Thereareencouragingsignsofinvestmentin behavioralhealthandcommunity-basedservices,butongoinggapsanduncertaintiesremainasthesessionspassthe midwaypoint.Theserealitiesunderscoretheimportanceofouradvocacy,storytelling,andcollectivevoice.

Thismonth,wealsolookforwardtooneofourmostinspiringeventsoftheyear,theEmpowermentAwards!This celebrationhighlightstheincredibleachievementsofthepeopleweserveandthecommunitypartnersthatsupportour programs.Itisapowerfulreminderofwhywedothisworkandtheimpactithasacrossourlocalcommunities. AswemovethroughAprilandputwinterbehindus,Iamgratefulforthecommitment,compassion,andresilienceeach ofyoubringstothiswork.Ittakesallofustobuildaplacetobelong.

HR NEWS AND INFORMATION

April Anniversaries

5 Year Employees

Luke Reynard

Kara Blevins

NFI North Careers is going paperless!! To improve consistency and provide real-time information on career opportunities, we have integrated our online careers platforms to better support our NFI North Team Members. NFI North job postings will now be available on: MyNAFI https://nafinfi.sharepoint.com/sites/NFINorth -- NEW!! NFINorth.com/careers https://www.nfinorth.com/careers Indeed.com

As part of this update, programs will no longer be expected to post job openings on local corkboards / binders (new postings will not be sent via email). Employees are encouraged to visit the online platforms listed above for the most up-to-date opportunities

New Hampshire News

Mallery Foster has been a Manager of Treatment in NFI North’s community-based services working with Children, Youth and their families in Intensive in-home supports (ISO) for over 2 years Mallery is an essential part of our team

Mallery also worked with NFI previously and took a sabbatical and gained new perspectives, while returning to NFI North with an increased motivation, creativity and energy Mallery role models the importance of mental and physical resets, and the importance of reigniting one’s passion

Harris

Spotlight

Clayman Paraprofessional

Contoocook School

Mallery brings a wealth of experience to her team, and role and her expertise is diverse having worked with many individuals in different capacities to include case management, job coaching, and as a former program director at an organization. Mallery is highly valued for her ability to blend direct support with organizational efficiency. All in all, Mallery is well rounded and brings a unique perspective on our work and will often offer insight into areas that others may not have thought of.

Not only has she been phenomenal working with families and understanding the true meaning of taking a trauma informed lens to situations, she also has been essential with her abilities to communicate with many service providers in challenging situations Mallery has been crucial to advocating the needs of the families we serve and one of her many skills is to remain professional in escalated moments Mallery has been the embodiment of NFI Norths mission and values and always holds herself to that degree

We are honored to share that Mallery has recently graduated with her master’s degree in Non-Profit Leadership where she is now equipped with advanced skills that will assist in our mission driven organization With her new skills, Mallery is eager to take on more responsibilities within the agency and several of those will include utilizing her newly earned degree and expanding her leadership skills. Please help us in congratulating Mallery on this huge accomplishment and recognize the truly remarkable person she is.

In the ever-changing world of education, consistency is a gift. This month we are highlighting Harris Clayman, who has been a paraprofessional at the Contoocook School since the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, making the 2025-2026 school year his 13 ! Whether he’s in the classroom or on the side of a mountain, Harris’ impact is felt everywhere. th

Harris’ background in English puts him in a position to support our students in a subject area that is often not a favorite.

He role models reading for enjoyment and works to bring current books into the curriculum. Harris enjoys film studies, and has shared this passion with students through leading a class on the subject where they explore the history and art of filmmaking.

Harris’ commitment to the students doesn’t stop when he steps out of the classroom. He is the engine behind our annual ski and snowboard program, coordinating the weekly trips to Pat’s Peak that provide the students with lifelong memories and experiences that teach skills that will help them achieve success both inside and outside of the classroom. When the snow melts, you’ll likely find him introducing students to the sport of disc golf, sharing his love for a sport that emphasizes patience, focus, and the great outdoors. If the weather’s not conducive to outdoor activities, Harris can probably be found in the school library, teaching students to play guitar, bass, drums, or keyboard as part of the “Contoocook School of Rock.”

Thank you, Harris for 13 years of dedication, coordination, and care!

Maine News

Finson Road getting involved with the community!

Our participants continue to show incredible commitment each week as they engage with the community and build meaningful connections One of the highlights of their involvement is volunteering at the Durgin Center in Brewer During these weekly visits, participants work together to support ongoing community efforts by packing silverware, assembling snack bags, washing meal bags, and folding towels for meals on wheels. They approach these tasks with efficiency, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility. Their efforts do not go unnoticed; staff and fellow volunteers frequently offer positive feedback, and participants leave feeling a genuine sense of pride and accomplishment

In addition to volunteering, participants also enjoy visiting the local library twice a month These outings offer a more relaxed but equally valuable opportunity for engagement. Some participants choose to use the computers for research or personal interests, while others browse for books to take home. Many also enjoy spending time in the café, where they can unwind, socialize, and enjoy a warm beverage These library visits support independence, encourage personal interests, and provide a welcoming space for connection and reflection

Together, these community activities highlight the dedication, growth, and positive impact of our participants as they continue to build confidence and meaningful relationships beyond the program, looking toward their goal of independence!

Nathan Stafford

Clinical Coordinator

Summit View

Nathan joined Summit View as our Clinical Coordinator in July of last year and has truly hit the ground running! Nathan brings an energy to the team that motivates our staff to think holistically while maintaining a structured and detail-oriented approach In a relatively short time, he has made a significant and lasting impact on our program. One of his early accomplishments was successfully reestablishing Home and Community Treatment (HCT) services within our program. This achievement has expanded the level of support we are able to provide to participants and their families in our local community and increased our programs' sustainability. Beyond that, with many new members on our team, Nathan has quickly assessed needs in staff training and responded by developing and implementing training and systems to improve the quality, consistency, and outcomes of our services.

Perhaps most importantly, he has built strong, trusting relationships with families and participants Nathan does not shy away from the difficult but necessary conversations that drive meaningful progress As a result, family engagement in our services has grown significantly since he joined our team

In addition to his clinical strengths, he has demonstrated himself to be a thoughtful and capable leader Nathan enjoys this aspect of his role and has gone the extra mile to ensure the team has the tools they need to do their jobs well This month, he is taking the next step in his professional growth by beginning Dr Paul Dann’s six-month Leadership Development program We are excited to see how his leadership continues to evolve and further strengthen our team! We are grateful to have him as part of our program and look forward to the continued positive impact he will undoubtedly have on our services

Clinical Connections

Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope

April is Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month (formerly Autism Awareness Month) in April focuses on moving beyond just acknowledging autism to fostering genuine understanding, inclusion, and support for autistic individuals. This shift highlights the need to embrace neurodiversity, reduce stigma, and create opportunities for people with autism to thrive.

Key Themes

Shifting from "Awareness" to "Acceptance": The Autism Society and other organizations have moved toward "Acceptance" to signify a deeper, more active commitment to inclusion, rather than simply knowing that autism exists.

Celebrating Neurodiversity: The focus is on honoring the unique strengths and perspectives of autistic individuals, rather than viewing autism solely as a medical condition to be fixed.

Empowerment and Advocacy: The month promotes the voices of autistic individuals, their families, and advocates, emphasizing their right to be included in all aspects of community life.

Actionable Inclusion: Activities focus on creating welcoming environments in schools, workplaces, and communities, and supporting the "Red Instead" movement to challenge old, stigmatizing symbols.

A Place to Belong: CME celebrates Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Awareness Month (with World Autism Awareness Day falling on April 2nd) and in an effort to promote awareness and celebrate all aspects of the spectrum, the CME dressed up in their red, blue and/or rainbow-colored best.

Blue- is the most widely known color for raising autism awareness due to the autism advocacy group Autism Speaks and their "Light it Up" campaign

Red- in response and direct opposition to the "Light it Up" campaign, the "Red Instead" movement was created by autistic advocates whose aim is to accept and empower autism, rather than raise awareness for a disease that needs to be cured

Rainbows- have been used more recently to celebrate neurodiversity and honor ALL aspects of the autism spectrum.

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