BITS AND PIECES

A Weekly Update from the Strafford Region

Planning

On Thursday, April 6th Regional Planner Autumn Scott attended the Dover Program Coordinating Committee's quarterly meeting. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program currently has an established Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) led by members of the Dover Housing Authority staff. The PCC is a committee of local service providers who share mutual goals and meet quarterly to discuss the needs of the population they serve. The meetings are a great way to network with other agencies in the area and become familiar with the services they provide. The PCC aims to make efficient use of local resources by engaging in a collaborative effort to identify area challenges and ensure there is effective and equitable distribution of services and resources.

This quarter's meeting was led by Kaitlin Jones, a police social worker for the Dover Police Department who is currently the only police social worker in NH. She spoke about the work that she has done since joining the police department in February of 2022. Jones is making a huge impact by managing cases and making referrals to appropriate services and expanding the capacity of other officers in the department.

Inquiries on this effort can be sent to ascott@strafford.org.

Transportation

Economic Development

This week executive director Jen Czysz worked with staff from Rockingham Planning Commission and the Regional Economic Development Center to finalize and launch a micro grant program aimed to support and enhance implementation of community initiatives and/or small projects that foster a sustainable workforce environment, create affordable and quality housing options, facilitate infrastructure improvements, or promote quality of life in the greater seacoast. Grant amounts range from $500-$2,000 and are intended to support short-term investments in projects that will contribute to one of the four funding priorities.

The micro grants are an initiative of the Seacoast Economic Development Stakeholders, a group of economic development professionals in the greater Rockingham and Strafford County area and designated as a Collaborative Economic Development Region by the NH Dept. of Business and Economic Affairs. 

More information and applications can be found online. Questions can be submitted to SEDS@strafford.org.

April 21, 2023