Administered by NFI North, the FAST Forward System of Care is a spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports for children, youth, and their families with or at risk for mental health challenges. FAST Forward is organized into a coordinated network, builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth, and addresses their cultural and linguistic needs in order to help them to function better at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.
Many New Hampshire children, youth, and families experiencing difficulties in day-to-day life due to serious emotional disturbances have challenges finding the right support at the right time. They’re often placed out of home into residential treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, juvenile justice facilities, or daytime programs. Many out of their local schools and communities. Despite the best intentions and hard work of families and providers, services are often fragmented and difficult to navigate for families. New Hampshire is making big strides to address these challenges using the wraparound-based program called FAST Forward.
FAST Forward is:
FAMILY AND YOUTH-DRIVEN
Family is at the core of FAST Forward’s work. Family members have a voice in describing their needs and strengths, and a choice in identifying services and their supports. Families take a leadership role in their families’ care as well as in policy, planning, and evaluation of the overall system. Youth voice is needed and valued, as youth are full participants in planning their care.
YOUTH GUIDED
Youth are full participants in meetings, and in planning and identification of services and supports provided through the FAST Forward program. Youth voice is present and appreciated. Youth are leaders in their own service planning efforts as well as at policy and planning tables related to development, implementation, and evaluation of the support array at the system level.
COMMUNITY-BASED
Services are home and community-based: keeping youth in their homes and schools is a priority. FAST Forward honors the culture and beliefs of each family served through this program. If out-of-home placement is needed for a period of time, it is short-term and targeted to a specific need.
CULTURALLY & LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT
Our treatment planning goal is to develop a plan for each participant that defines their strengths, identifies goals or needs they may have and develops interventions or approaches with the participant to help attain their goals and improve their self-sufficiency in areas of need. An Individual Service Plan (ISP) will be developed as a result of the treatment planning process that includes a thorough assessment, talking with the participant, and his/her significant relationships.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please call (603) 575-5667 or email the
Program Director at JenniferAltieri@nafi.com.
