Message From The NHFAPA  President Paul Desmarais

The semi-annual, New England Foster and Adoptive Conference was recently held October 20-22 in Nashua, NH. It offered a weekend full of assorted workshops to attend. In my opinion, the real value of this type of conference, is what happens not only in the workshops, but also in between. There was ample opportunity to network and share experiences with so many other parents from all over New England. The host state rotates every other year. This year it was in our turn to host. My sincere thanks go out to two particular individuals, Heath Hooper, a foster/adoptive parent from Manchester and Diane Hagy, Foster and Adoptive Support Contract staff from Casey Family Services in Concord. There were many more people responsible for the success of the conference, but none more deserving than these two co-chairs. As President of the NH FAPA, I received many accolades and positive comments about the event. Attendees remarked on how well it was organized, what a really nice event it was and if there were any last minute hiccups, Diane and Heath did such a great job they were not noticed. This conference is only held every other year.  I hope that you have or will continue to take advantage of it. This opportunity to network and receive training hours should not be missed. Diane and Heath, thanks again, not only from myself, but on behalf of the over 300 attendees who all seemed to have had a great weekend.

As we enter the holiday season, how nice would it be if as many of us as possible, could reach out to a youth who does not have a family to go home to, sharing the gift of your family.  There are several young adults in our state who would rather not spend the holiday in residential care. If you have interacted with any of them, please contact your District Office staff to reach out and invite them over. Your own holidays will be enriched, as a result.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Paul Desmarais

NHFAPA President