Greater Seacoast Community Health’s Ellyn Schreiber Honored with the New Hampshire Association for Infant Mental Health’s Award of Excellence

Greater Seacoast Community Health celebrates Ellyn Schreiber, LCMHC, as she has earned the 2026 Award of Excellence from the New Hampshire Association for Infant Mental Health (NHAIMH). The New Hampshire Association for Infant Mental Health’s Award of Excellence is given annually to the individual whose academic or clinical work has advanced the mission of NHAIMH and has had a positive impact on the field of infant mental health in New Hampshire. 

Schreiber was honored for her contributions over more than 25 years as leader in the development of early childhood mental health services in New Hampshire.   

“Through my experiences in early intervention, I learned how important relationships are in buffering stress for children and giving parents the strength they need to overcome their own challenges,” Schreiber said in reflecting on her 40-year career as she accepted the award.

“I learned that as helpers, one of our most valuable tools is our presence, supporting without judging, calling out strengths when there is an ocean of challenges, and sometimes just being a calm place in the storm. And then I began to think beyond the individual child and family to systems change that can help us to create communities that support child well-being, caregiver-child relationships and our most vulnerable children and families.”

Schreiber’s current job as Child Development and Infant Mental Health Specialist at Greater Seacoast Community Health reflects her dual passions for improving systems and providing direct support to families. She was brought on to launch Healthy Steps, an evidence-based program for improving developmental screening and social/emotional well-being for young children and their families.

At the same time, she and her colleagues provide direct services to families who receive prenatal or pediatric care at Greater Seacoast’s health centers in Portsmouth and Somersworth, including mental health assessment and intervention, parent-child relationship support, developmental observation, parent consultation and support, and referral assistance.

“The goal is to be able to intervene earlier where young children and their families are in need so we can improve their health and well-being,” Schreiber said.  “We know that having a good early start and supportive and nurturing caregiver/child relationships makes for a healthier, happier future for children.”

“Ellyn is so deserving of this award and we are extremely proud of her passion and commitment to working with our young children and their families facing challenges,” said Jocelyn Caple, CEO, Greater Seacoast Community Health. “Her work has a deep and significant impact on the communities we serve, and we know her work is pivotal in the lives of children and their families.”

Greater Seacoast Community Health is a network of community health centers offering a wide range of services, including primary care, pediatrics, dental care, prenatal care, behavioral health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, mobile health services, WIC nutrition programs, social work, parenting classes, playgroups, and home visiting. Services are open to everyone – all ages, all income levels. For more information, visit GetCommunityHealth.org.