A local initiative in Cheshire County, aimed at assisting families, is hopeful about the reinstatement of its recently lost federal grant. The program, known as Connected Families New Hampshire, is designed to help children and families facing mental health challenges. Chris Coates, the county administrator, recently indicated the county had received $1 million annually for four years, and it has been operational for 16 months.

While formal confirmation has not yet been provided, there is optimism about the restoration of funds, especially following reports from NPR and other outlets that officials from the Trump administration announced the reinstatement of these grants. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration earlier had canceled approximately $2 billion across about 2,000 grants, impacting various programs including those focused on peer support and naloxone distribution.

Connected Families New Hampshire has provided care coordination for youth with behavioral health issues, assisting individuals from birth up to 21 years of age. According to Dennis Calcutt, the program director, the initiative has reached 858 youth and their families and has directly assisted 17 families through its services.