Podcast

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 14:  Healthcare Transition Series:  Managing My Medications

April 14, 2026

This panel discussion with Yeah Council Members, Abby, CJ, Emma and Keagan explores the importance of medication management for youth, sharing personal experiences, strategies, and resources to empower young individuals in taking control of their health. Learn practical tips, challenges faced, and how to build essential skills for independent medication management.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 13:  Importance of Developmental Screenings

March 31, 2026

In this episode PIC and NH Family Voices speak to Meagan Galvin, a family worker with Head Start Center at Nashua Community College.  Meagan talks about the Developmental Screening Pop-ups that she has been doing at parks and libraries throughout the Nashua area.  She also discusses why developmental screenings are important, how, when and who you ask for them, and what to expect when you get them.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 12:  Lets Talk Literacy in Early Childhood Education!

March 17, 2026

In this conversation, early childhood educator Kris Reilly discusses the critical aspects of language and literacy development in young children. She emphasizes the importance of early exposure to language, the role of serve and return interactions, and the skills necessary for kindergarten readiness. The discussion also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development and the significance of creating a language-rich environment at home. Kris provides practical strategies for parents to support their children’s literacy skills through everyday activities and highlights the benefits of multilingualism in language development.

Language is innate, while reading is a learned skill.

• Building vocabulary is essential for literacy development.
• Serve and return interactions are crucial for brain development.
• Parents should engage in conversations with their children regularly.
• Reading aloud fosters a love for literacy from an early age.
• Children need various skills for kindergarten readiness beyond just knowing the alphabet.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social interactions and language development in young children.
• Creating a language-rich environment can be done through everyday activities.
• Multilingual families can enhance language development by using their home language.
• It’s important to recognize signs of language development concerns early.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 11:  Physical Development in Early Childhood

March 3, 2026

In this episode, pediatric physical therapist Jeff Elrick breaks down how movement helps young children grow—not just physically, but in how they think, feel, and connect with others.

He shares fun, everyday ways families can support physical development at home, and explains why inclusive play matters for all kids. Whether your child is walking, wobbling, or just starting to roll over, this conversation is full of helpful tips and encouraging insights for every stage of early childhood.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 10: From Classrooms to Care Centers: How Developmental Screening Shapes Early Childhood
February 17, 2026

In this episode we talk about developmental screening and how looks across various early childhood settings.

Screening is an important step in understanding how children are growing and learning and is often an enriching tool that can help shape family engagement as well as the support that early childhood professionals provide. In this conversation, we’ll explore what the screening process looks like in practice, how families are engaged along the way, what follow-up involves, and the benefits and challenges programs experience.

Our guests are Eric Shessler, MD, General Pediatrician for Dartmouth Health Manchester and Bedford, Alicia Doelman, Co-Director of North End Montessori School, and Kim Philibert, Supervisor and Home Visitor with the Healthy Families America program at Waypoint.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 12:  Lets Talk Literacy in Early Childhood Education!

March 17, 2026

In this conversation, early childhood educator Kris Reilly discusses the critical aspects of language and literacy development in young children. She emphasizes the importance of early exposure to language, the role of serve and return interactions, and the skills necessary for kindergarten readiness. The discussion also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development and the significance of creating a language-rich environment at home. Kris provides practical strategies for parents to support their children’s literacy skills through everyday activities and highlights the benefits of multilingualism in language development.

Language is innate, while reading is a learned skill.

• Building vocabulary is essential for literacy development.
• Serve and return interactions are crucial for brain development.
• Parents should engage in conversations with their children regularly.
• Reading aloud fosters a love for literacy from an early age.
• Children need various skills for kindergarten readiness beyond just knowing the alphabet.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social interactions and language development in young children.
• Creating a language-rich environment can be done through everyday activities.
• Multilingual families can enhance language development by using their home language.
• It’s important to recognize signs of language development concerns early.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 11:  Physical Development in Early Childhood

March 3, 2026

In this episode, pediatric physical therapist Jeff Elrick breaks down how movement helps young children grow—not just physically, but in how they think, feel, and connect with others.

He shares fun, everyday ways families can support physical development at home, and explains why inclusive play matters for all kids. Whether your child is walking, wobbling, or just starting to roll over, this conversation is full of helpful tips and encouraging insights for every stage of early childhood.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 10: From Classrooms to Care Centers: How Developmental Screening Shapes Early Childhood
February 17, 2026

In this episode we talk about developmental screening and how looks across various early childhood settings.

Screening is an important step in understanding how children are growing and learning and is often an enriching tool that can help shape family engagement as well as the support that early childhood professionals provide. In this conversation, we’ll explore what the screening process looks like in practice, how families are engaged along the way, what follow-up involves, and the benefits and challenges programs experience.

Our guests are Eric Shessler, MD, General Pediatrician for Dartmouth Health Manchester and Bedford, Alicia Doelman, Co-Director of North End Montessori School, and Kim Philibert, Supervisor and Home Visitor with the Healthy Families America program at Waypoint.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 9: Healthcare Transition: A Provider’s Perspective
February 3, 2026

In the final episode of the Health Care Transition Matters Podcast, you’ll hear from Dr. Lisa Plotnik, a pediatrics specialist from Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Manchester. Dr. Plotnik discusses the complexities of health care transition, emphasizing the importance of preparing both patients and their families for this significant change. She shares practical tips for how to navigate the process to ensure a seamless healthcare experience.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 8: Youth Leading the Way: YEAH Council Members Plan for the Future
January 20, 2026

Join YEAH Council members, Abby, CJ and Emma as they talk about their hopes and dreams for their futures including jobs, living situations and healthcare as they become adults living with their disabilities.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 7: Resources and Materials for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
January 6, 2026

This episode of the PIC/Family Voices podcast discusses the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Federal Quota Program, which allocates funds for accessible educational materials for blind and visually impaired students. Guests Adrienne Shoemaker and Lynette Lawrence explain the history, eligibility criteria, registration process, and the variety of educational materials available through the program.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 6: Social Emotional Development in the Early Years
December 23, 2025

In this conversation, Ellen Schreiber, a licensed mental health clinician, discusses the critical concepts of attachment, self-regulation, and co-regulation in early childhood development.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 5: Navigating College with a Disability
December 9, 2025

Join Yeah Council members CJ, Keagan and Lexi as they discuss their experiences in attending college with disabilities.  Hear what went into their selection process, what worked and did not work for them as they moved forward in their education.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 4: Health Care Transition Matters Podcast: Youth Perspectives
November 25, 2025

In the second episode of the three-part Health Care Transition Matters Podcast, Ainsley Peacock provides an overview of health care transition from the youth perspective. YEAH Council members, CJ and Abby join us to share their experiences navigating this complex process as youths going through the process of moving from child to adulthood in the healthcare setting.  They share their experiences and give tips on how to make the process smoother for all.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 3: Health Care Transition Matters Podcast: Parent Perspectives
November 11, 2025

In the first episode of the three-part Health Care Transition Matters Podcast, Sylvia Pelletier provides an overview of health care transition. Donna Dunlop and Misty Martinez Bohannon join us to share their experiences navigating this complex process as caregivers. Donna is a parent of a young adult with complex medical needs who has completed the transition to adult providers. Misty is a parent of a young adult in the midst of transition. During the conversation, Misty and Donna outline recommendations for transition planning and highlight what has been helpful for their families.

PIC Family Voices Podcast Episode 2: Growing Minds: Understanding Cognitive Development
October 28, 2025

In this conversation, Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt discusses the critical aspects of cognitive development in early childhood, emphasizing the importance of memory, language, conceptual understanding, and social cognition. She highlights how these elements interconnect and influence a child’s ability to learn and grow. The discussion also covers the role of executive function skills, the impact of early experiences on future learning, and the balance of screen time in a child’s life. Dr. Nesbitt advocates for the significance of play as a primary vehicle for learning, encouraging parents to engage actively with their children in meaningful interactions.