The availability of childcare and the question of child wellbeing has been a concern in the Upper Valley for the past decade. There are a number of groups working on a variety of strategies to increase access to childcare and improve early childhood outcomes. We at the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley have been pleased, over the past four years, to be a part of this work across the larger region. 

Early Childhood Region 1, established in 2021 through New Hampshire’s Preschool Development Grant, has brought together schools, early care and education providers, family support agencies, mental health and public health partners, and families themselves across an area that incorporates three of New Hampshire’s public health regions (Monadnock, Greater Sullivan County, and the Upper Valley). The Public Health Council has been proud to serve as a partner in this effort, ensuring that public health priorities such as equitable access, prevention, and family support remain at the heart of this conversation. 

Making Good Things Happen

Together, this collaborative has worked to improve educational, health, and social-emotional outcomes for children from the prenatal stage through age 8. The work has centered on four pillars of opportunity:

• Equitable access to family supports and services
• Support for early childhood programs and staff
• Family engagement
• Community integration

The results of this effort are measurable and meaningful:

• 222 early childhood professionals trained across 22 trainings, with 28 mentorship and coaching partnerships completed
• 16 family childcare facilities awarded grants, resulting in 69 new childcare slots in a region where access is often limited
• 18 family support mini-grants distributed, reaching 978 caregivers and children with enrichment activities from parenting education to community garden projects
• 20 libraries engaged to create inclusive, welcoming spaces for young children, with four rural libraries receiving targeted support
• 92 organizations engaged across the region to strengthen systems of care and connection

Sharing Our Successes

Early Childhood Region 1 staff developed a report, “Where Children Thrive: Community Led Solutions in Early Childhood Region 1”, to highlight stories of transformation at both the professional and family levels. Childcare professionals report greater confidence, stronger onboarding practices, and more collaborative networks thanks to one-on-one coaching and peer mentorship. Families describe enrichment opportunities as ways to build community and support systems in what can often feel like isolating times. Small investments made a big difference, whether it was fencing for a family childcare provider, training for a librarian, or a story walk in a local community. These efforts ripple outward, strengthening not just individual families, but the fabric of our region.

Early Childhood Region 1 is committed to sustaining this momentum. Partners (including PHC) will continue meeting regularly to share resources, identify emerging needs, and advocate for policies that support young children and their families. By maintaining open communication and collective vision, this work will keep advancing equitable, high-quality support systems across the Upper Valley and beyond. 

— Written by Vismaya Gopalan, ’82 UVCI Fellow to the PHC, Dartmouth College

Pictured above (clockwise from top left): Thomas, Vismaya, Eva and Rebecca — this summer’s interns, each bringing unique energy and perspectives to PHC’s work.

How four students are making a difference – and how the Public Health Council is building capacity through workforce development

This summer, the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley welcomes four bright, mission-driven interns to its team. Each brings a unique perspective, a hunger to learn, and a passion for improving health equity. Their work spans topics from lead poisoning prevention to strategic planning and community engagement– and their contributions are not only meaningful to their own growth, but also vital to the Council’s capacity to move key initiatives forward.

At a time when rural public health systems face workforce shortages and increasing demand, internships like these offer a win-win: they help cultivate the next generation of public health professionals and enable PHC to advance priority projects that might otherwise remain on hold. Let’s meet this summer’s interns and explore the impact they’re already making.

Vismaya: Strengthening Grassroots Public Health

A chemistry and Hispanic studies double major at Dartmouth College and an ‘82 Fellow with the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact, Vismaya has been working with the PHC since the fall of 2024. This summer, her focus is municipal engagement– connecting with town health officers and local leaders to support the creation of PHC’s regional strategic plan. She’s also helping plan the upcoming bi-state legislative event and lends a hand in PHC’s communication efforts, including assisting with blog writing. For Vismaya, seeing how deeply interconnected and personal grassroots public health can be has been a revelation. 

“You realize just how many lives are touched by local public health systems – and how important coordination is to serve people well,” she says. “This work has shown me that meaningful change often starts on the ground, in conversations with neighbors and town leaders.”

Thomas: Laying the Groundwork for a Healthier Future

Thomas, a double major in biochemistry and Spanish at Dartmouth, brings leadership experience as Executive Director of Dartmouth EMS and a background in behavioral neuroscience research. His summer project centers on developing PHC’s next Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). By meeting with partners across sectors– ranging from primary care providers to housing advocates– Thomas is gaining a holistic view of the socioeconomic and systemic factors that impact health in the Upper Valley. Whether speaking with clinicians at DHMC about substance use disorder or assisting a physician with a vaccine record correction initiative, Thomas has been struck by just how collaborative public health work truly is. One highlight? Tabling at a Hartford Community Coalition Block Party to educate community members about heat safety and sun protection.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to meet people for whom this work is a full-time commitment,” he says. “To hear their ‘why’ reminds me how deeply meaningful public health can be.” 

Rebecca: Making Lead Awareness More Accessible

Rebecca, a rising senior at the University of Vermont majoring in Environmental Science with a Health and Society minor, is focusing her efforts on lead poisoning prevention. With family roots in both New York City and Norwich, Vermont, she brings a personal connection to the Upper Valley and a strong interest in the link between health and environment. This summer, Rebecca is working to develop more accessible and engaging educational materials for parents about the importance of lead testing in children. She’s collaborating with local organizations, including the Vermont Department of Health, WIC, and the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program, to design messaging that meets families where they are. “Connecting with parents and community members about their children’s health has been the most rewarding part,” she reflects. “This work has shown me how many people and programs work behind the scenes to keep our community healthy.”

Eva: Mapping Risk to Drive Change

Originally from Vermont and now studying Public Health at American University in Washington, D.C., Eva is passionate about the intersections between health, social justice, and equity. Her work this summer complements Rebecca’s, with a focus on researching risk factors for lead poisoning across Vermont and New Hampshire. By analyzing social and environmental data, Eva is helping identify which communities face the highest risks– and how public health efforts can better target those populations. Conversations with public health officials around the state have helped her see how rural disparities and lack of resources can pose serious barriers to health equity. “It’s been incredibly meaningful to work on an issue that directly affects the communities I grew up in,” Eva says. “This experience has given me a clear view of how I can apply what I’ve learned to create real impact.”

Workforce Development in Action

As PHC continues to address the complex health challenges facing our region– from environmental health hazards to gaps in care– building and sustaining a strong public health workforce is more important than ever. These internships are part of a broader commitment to workforce development, mentorship, and preparing future leaders to carry the torch.

At the same time, these interns are giving PHC the capacity to pursue ambitious, high-impact projects that benefit the Upper Valley. They are not only learning from the work– they are meaningfully shaping it.

— Written by Vismaya Gopalan, ’82 UVCI Fellow to the PHC, Dartmouth College