Our Story
COMPANY MESSAGE
NFI North, Inc. is a private, non-profit [501(c)3] human service agency specializing in community based care for children, youth, adults and families with emotional, behavioral and educational needs. NFI North is a subsidiary of North American Family Institute. The agency began in 1974 as a part of the deinstitutionalization movement. Even then, we understood the value in treating others with dignity and respect. As service opportunities expanded we evolved into a multi-service agency providing various community based, educational and vocational services for underprivileged and under-served children, youth, adults and families living in New Hampshire and Maine.
We provide a vast array of services such as community case management, counseling for individuals, groups and families, foster care homes, residential treatment, special education schools and tutoring, vocational and supportive employment, and many others. The quality of our psychiatric and forensic services is highly rated by consumers and funders alike.
OUR MISSION
At NFI North we believe in the old adage of teaching others to fish. This is why our mission "to inspire and empower people to reach their full potential so they can live successfully within their home and community.” is so front and center to our work. We are constantly striving to improve our efforts to help others, help themselves. As one celebrates their successes they are also creating a new wave of change for those that follow them. This cycle of growth and empowerment is pinnacle to NFI North’s approach.
OUR APPROACH
We believe in the participation and empowerment of any/all consumers in their treatment and education. Through opportunities for engagement and ownership of their treatment they can more quickly understand and make significant improvements in their wellness. We have found once people learn to fish, even in the muddiest of waters, they can flourish more independently, regardless of the challenges they face.
NFI North emphasizes a youth guided and family driven approach utilizing trauma informed practice and a non-punitive, non-coercive approach to treatment. Our services offer a wide range of in-home and out of home service options. Our treatment modality incorporates Evidence-Based and Promising Practices into our service array under the umbrella of our Normative Community Approach. This approach stems from a belief that all people are social and want to belong. We understand if we create meaningful opportunities for membership that people will choose behaviors, attitudes and values inherent to acceptance within that culture.
SPECIAL MESSAGES
We all know that non-profits have struggled, particularly during this time of economic challenges but our organization has kept on moving forward relying on the generosity of those in our local communities. In return we are proud to do our part offering significant and meaningful community service and support such as helping elderly citizens with snow removal, volunteering at local food banks and food basket delivery, clearing and cleaning up trails and roadways, reading books to those living in elderly housing, and so much more.
More specifically, each year the NFI North community celebrates the accomplishments of individuals who have benefited from the work of the organization. The honorees are individuals who have been confronted with many challenges yet have chosen to overcome these difficulties through their participation within the Agency’s programs and services. Consumer honorees are recognized each year at our annual empowerment luncheon. This event is a celebration of their efforts as well as all of the important work that is accomplished by the staff and consumers of NFI North.
HELPING THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES:
Since its inception the Empowerment Fund has provided tens of thousands of dollars in awards and grants to our honorees. The award is designed to help the individuals honored continue on their path of personal growth and development. Many honorees have, for example, used their awards toward college tuition and continuing their education.
NFI North “really did help me out. I just take a moment every day to think about things. What I am grateful for, what I can fix, how I can help.” Emily
“If it was not for NFI, I would not be here today ” Bethany
“Since the day I arrived at NFI I was accepted and not judged.” Liz
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN OUR WORK:
As a non-profit behavioral health organization we are always striving to do more with less and one way we have been successful is by expanding our use of technology in our day to day operations. We utilize an electronic health record system to insure privacy and compliance with Federal, State and local authorities when it comes to client information. We understand the trust placed in us when someone in need identifies our agency as their provider of choice. We have developed policies and practices that highlight consumer confidentiality and respect as our top priority.
We have an advanced system of communication that uses our internal network to develop, share and store information. We have sophisticated databases used to develop reporting and accountability throughout the NFI North service system. We are able to effectively monitor and manage operations across programs and develop improvement plans to address any identified needs.
Most importantly, we are able to offer skill building and family connections to consumers of any age. Whether it be a young girl learning how to use a tablet to read in school or a special needs student able to expand text to read for the first time. Technology has made the difference in learning or not. For our elderly consumers, they have been able to use the internet and updated computer technology to connect with family across the country for the first time in years. Families that have limited transportation are able to see and talk with their children through the use of web based applications such as Skype, FaceTime and WebEx.
ACCREDITATION:
NFI North has been accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) as a Behavioral Health Organization since 2010. What does TJC accreditation mean you might ask? The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ means our organization has reached for and achieved the highest level of performance recognition available in the behavioral health field.
