Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.
NHAHA Turns 10 This Year!
In 2016, many of us collaborated together to create a common agenda for New Hampshire in support of “age-friendly communities.” We started with about 60 stakeholders and have grown our network to more than 600 since. We also have accomplished tangible benefits for older adults in NH through our 5 strategic priority areas and 3 committees.
As we enter our second decade of work, we are excited to build on what we have accomplished and learned. On November 12th, our steering committee spent a day with Paul Schmitz, Senior Advisor at The Collective Impact Forum. He reviewed some of the common challenges collective impact efforts experience, and shared best practices for renewing and strengthening collective impact. Our steering committee members agreed that this would be a good time to refresh our common agenda, metrics, and structure.
We have retained Paul Schmitz to lead us through a planning process he has used with dozens of other collective impact efforts to refresh their common agendas and coalitions. The planning process will be completed during the first half of 2026, and we will be engaging our network throughout the process.
We will be in touch with ways that you will be able to participate and help shape our future agenda. We look forward to this new work and continued partnerships!
New Hampshire Awarded $204 Million for Rural Health Transformation
New Hampshire has been awarded more than $204 million for 2026 through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The state’s application requested $200 million annually throughout the duration of the five-year program to strengthen rural health care access, quality, and long-term sustainability. Implementation planning is underway, with initial investments expected to support rural providers and communities beginning this year.
Upcoming Partner Events
- Self-Management Workshops for Health Improvement
UNH Extension, part of NH’s Well-Being Action Network, is hosting a number of free virtual workshops to help you or someone you care for improve their health. These evidence-based self-management workshops focus on building a toolbox of skills and resources to help manage health concerns like chronic pain, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Join one of these six-session virtual workshops facilitated by peer leaders and make weekly action plans in a supportive environment. Workshops begin either January 13 or 14.
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Meet and End of Life Doula
End-of-life doulas are specially trained to provide personalized, non-medical assistance to people who are dying, as well as their loved ones. On January 14 at 6:00 PM, you can learn more about the field from an end-of-life doula practicing in New Hampshire at the Concord Public Library. The one-hour presentation will be followed by 30 minutes of audience Q&A.
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New Futures Winter Advocacy Trainings
New Futures is offering a Winter Training Series to equip New Hampshire advocates with the skills to navigate the state legislative process. Their one-hour Advocacy 101 webinars cover how a bill becomes law, strategies for civic engagement, and tips for effectively communicating with legislators. Upcoming dates include Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, March 12.
Addressing New Hampshire’s Nursing Shortage
The International Institute of New England (IINE) is helping to meet New Hampshire’s growing demand for nursing assistants through a free Licensed Nursing Assistant training program that prepares English language learners for careers in health care. About 50 students have graduated from the program since 2021, and 80% of its students are still working in the field. While some similar programs are in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts and a freeze on new refugee acceptance, IINE is expanding theirs after it won a $100,000 grant in 2025 from the NH Health Force Innovation challenge.
Do’s and Don’ts of Communicating With Someone Who Has Alzheimer’s Disease
People with Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble finding the right words or remembering what they want to say. This can make communication difficult. The National Institute on Aging has created an infographic with ways to better communicate with a person who has Alzheimer’s.
Do you have an “AHA Moment” you would like to share, or would like us to add a friend to the “Moments” Mailing List? Please email Kathryn Selinga at Kathryn.Selinga@unh.edu