Healthy Start’s Mary Mullen LaValley Receive’s Family Voice Champion Award

Mary exemplifies unwavering commitment to family leadership and lived experience in every aspect of her work. As a Healthy Families America (HFA) Family Support Specialist—and now Supervisor—Mary consistently elevates family voice as central to decision-making, program design, and advocacy.

For Mary, a certified Trust-Based Relational Intervention® practitioner, everything begins with relationship. She believes that authentic family leadership grows from trust, respect, and unconditional positive regard. Mary gently guides families in identifying their own goals, always keeping each family’s values, beliefs, and aspirations at the forefront. She provides education, asks thoughtful questions, and offers insight drawn from her years of experience as both a home visitor and former teacher—but she never directs or judges. Instead, she ensures families are the decision-makers in their own lives.

Mary actively integrates family voice and lived experience into her daily practice by:

•        Supporting families to set and achieve self-identified goals

•        Celebrating milestones that families define as meaningful

•        Coaching parents to advocate for themselves within complex systems

•        Encouraging leadership beyond the home, including advisory councils and community engagement

Families consistently report increased confidence in their parenting and decision-making. Many continue to reach out to Mary even after graduation—an enduring testament to the respectful and empowering relationships she builds.

One mother shared: “Even when things seemed impossible, my FSS Mary was always there. She was so sweet and so kind. She always made me feel like I mattered and that even though things were tough, I was doing a great job.”

Another wrote: “The support Mary gave me wasn’t regular support… The kindness, compassion, empathy and altruism that Mary holds is like no other… Right now, my family is in a wonderful place because of her support.”

Mary’s work extends to diverse families throughout Cheshire County. She co-facilitates a Dad’s Group with the Director of Restorative Justice for Cheshire County and brings programming to parents at the Cheshire County jail. One participant reflected: “She made me think and I liked to talk about ways I have bettered myself and I have become more responsible! Thank you!”

Through each of these roles, Mary does more than support families—she shares power, fosters leadership, and builds structures that sustain family voice long after formal services end.

Three years ago, Mary began working with a family through Healthy Families America. During their time in the program, the parents separated and the mother disengaged. The father—previously a stay-at-home dad with no income—continued working with Mary. Navigating single fatherhood came with immense challenges, yet Mary met him with steady encouragement, respect, and belief in his capacity.

When a state site visit opportunity arose, Mary invited him to participate. He agreed. That single step opened the door to leadership. He joined the local Parent Advisory Council and later the State Advisory Council. He has since been nominated by the state HFA team to participate at the federal level.

Today, he is employed by Healthy Starts’ larger agency, where leadership has expressed high hopes for his future impact. His growth from participant to leader, advocate, and professional is a powerful example of what happens when family voice is not only heard—but cultivated.

Mary did not create his leadership; she recognized it, nurtured it, and created pathways for it to flourish.

Beyond her professional role, Mary volunteers with Jane’s Kids, providing school clothing to local children, and serves on the board of the New Hampshire Association for Infant Mental Health. Whether supporting families, mentoring staff, or strengthening community systems, Mary is always building confidence, capacity, and leadership in others.

Mary’s commitment to elevating family voice does not stop at encouragement—it transforms lives and systems. She shares power authentically, honors lived experience deeply, and creates sustainable pathways for families to lead.

Mary always elevates family voices.

Mary always illustrates family leadership.

And sometimes—she blows it all right out of the park.

For these reasons, Mary Mullen LaValley is a truly deserving recipient of A Family Voice Champion Award.