Support & Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Families Flourish Northeast is building a family-centered continuum of care for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder, and their children. Here is what we can tell you today about the program, who it will serve, and how to reach us.
About FFNE
What is Families Flourish Northeast?
Families Flourish Northeast (FFNE) is an independent nonprofit organization working to expand access to treatment, recovery, and family-support services for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder and their children.
FFNE is building a family-centered continuum of care designed to support families before, during, and after residential treatment. At the center of that continuum is a future ASAM Level 3.5 residential treatment program in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where mothers and their children can remain together during treatment when clinically appropriate and safe.
The residential program is an important part of FFNE’s work, but the needs facing families exist today. While the facility is being developed, FFNE is working alongside healthcare, behavioral health, recovery, family-support, and community partners to identify and begin providing elements of the continuum sooner. These may include care navigation, referral coordination, connections to healthcare and behavioral health services, family support, and other community-based services that address identified gaps.
FFNE’s role is not to replace existing providers. It is to reduce barriers, help families navigate and connect to existing resources, fill identified gaps in the continuum, and ultimately provide the higher level of family-centered residential treatment that is currently difficult for many families to access.
Why is this program needed?
Pregnant and parenting women can face significant barriers to entering intensive treatment, including separation from children, housing instability, transportation challenges, childcare responsibilities, trauma, and fragmented systems of care. Outpatient services are essential, but some women need a higher level of structured residential treatment. FFNE is being developed to expand access to that level of care while supporting family connection and stability.
Who are FFNE's partners, and how does FFNE complement existing services?
Families Flourish Northeast works alongside healthcare, behavioral health, recovery, family-support, housing, and community organizations across New Hampshire and Vermont. Partners and collaborators include Dartmouth Health and Moms in Recovery, West Central Behavioral Health, TLC Family Resource Center, and the New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative, along with other regional providers and community organizations.
FFNE is being developed to connect and strengthen existing services, not duplicate them. Many organizations provide important pieces of the continuum, including prenatal and maternal healthcare, outpatient substance use treatment, behavioral health services, peer recovery support, parenting and family services, housing assistance, and other community-based resources.
FFNE complements that work by adding family-centered ASAM Level 3.5 residential treatment, actively helping families navigate and access care, facilitating referrals across multiple systems, and maintaining continuity before, during, and after residential treatment. FFNE is also building relationships across a broader geographic area so families, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, can connect with appropriate services closer to home whenever possible.
When partners identify services or supports that families cannot readily access, FFNE can work collaboratively to help address those gaps rather than recreate services that are already available. FFNE’s role is broader than operating a residential facility; it is helping build a more coordinated pathway through treatment, healthcare, family support, recovery, and long-term stabilization.
Services and timing
Will FFNE provide services before the residential program opens?
Yes. FFNE’s long-term vision extends beyond the residential facility itself. While the residential program is being developed, FFNE is working with community partners to build elements of the broader continuum sooner, including care navigation, referral coordination, connections to healthcare and behavioral health services, family support, and other community-based services. These efforts are intended to complement existing providers, address identified gaps, and strengthen referral pathways while FFNE continues development of the residential treatment program.
What geographic area will Families Flourish Northeast serve?
FFNE’s residential treatment program will be located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, but FFNE is not being developed as an Upper Valley-only program. The organization is building a regional continuum of care for pregnant and parenting women and their families across New Hampshire and Vermont, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities where access to specialized treatment and coordinated family services can be especially difficult.
FFNE’s community-based care management and referral work is intended to extend beyond the residential campus. Families may receive navigation and coordination before they ever enter residential treatment, and FFNE will work to connect them with providers and supports in their own communities whenever possible. After residential treatment, that same approach will help families transition home with local healthcare, behavioral health, recovery, housing, parenting, and community supports in place.
The goal is not to bring every service to Lebanon. The goal is to help families access the right service, in the right setting, at the right time, with someone helping connect the pieces.
The residential program
What will residential treatment look like?
FFNE is being designed to provide ASAM Level 3.5 clinically managed high-intensity residential treatment. The anticipated residential stay is approximately 6 to 9 months. The campus is designed to serve up to 12 mothers and their children onsite at one time, with additional families supported through care management and other parts of the continuum of care.
What does FFNE mean by a continuum of care?
FFNE is being designed so support does not begin only when a family enters residential treatment, and it does not end when they leave. The continuum connects families with support before admission, during residential treatment, and after discharge. This may include care navigation, referral coordination, healthcare and behavioral health connections, residential treatment, parenting and family supports, housing stabilization, peer recovery support, and continued connection to community providers. The goal is to create a more connected pathway so families do not have to repeatedly start over as their needs change.
Can children live with their mothers during treatment? Are there age or family-size limits?
Yes, when clinically appropriate and safe. FFNE is not establishing a fixed age cutoff or predetermined limit on the number of children who may accompany a mother, because the goal is to reduce barriers to treatment. Before admission, care management and clinical triage will consider custody, guardianship, safety, developmental needs, family composition, available space, and the needs of both the mother and children. When children are not residing onsite, FFNE will support healthy family connection and reunification planning when appropriate.
How are fathers, partners, and other caregivers involved?
FFNE uses the term “identified family unit” to recognize that a mother’s support system may include a spouse or partner, co-parent, caregiver, or other important family member. Residential admission is for mothers and their children, but members of the identified family unit may be involved through family therapy, support groups, referrals, education, care planning, and other services when appropriate.
What happens after residential treatment?
Recovery does not end at discharge. FFNE plans to support individualized reintegration and continuing-care coordination, including connections to housing, outpatient and behavioral healthcare, parenting and family services, peer recovery support, education and employment resources, transportation, and other community-based supports. The goal is to help families return home with strong connections and a coordinated plan for long-term stability.
getting in and paying for care
Can someone self-refer, and how will admission work?
Yes. Families will be able to self-refer, and FFNE also anticipates referrals from healthcare providers, maternal health programs, behavioral health and substance use treatment providers, recovery organizations, family-serving agencies, courts, and community partners. All potential admissions will go through pre-admission triage and care management. Residential admission will be based on medical necessity, clinical appropriateness, safety, and FFNE’s ability to support the needs of the mother and children.
What will treatment cost families, and what insurance will FFNE accept?
FFNE’s current plan is that participating families will not be charged directly for treatment. FFNE plans to bill applicable insurance, including New Hampshire and Vermont Medicaid, and use philanthropy, grants, and other funding to support costs that are not fully reimbursed. Participation with additional insurance plans will depend on payer contracting.
Supporting our work
How can I support Families Flourish Northeast?
Supporters can make philanthropic investments, introduce FFNE to funding and community connections, host awareness conversations, share the mission, and advocate for family-centered recovery solutions. Donate here to support our mission.