WHO WE ARE
The Capital Area Public Health Network (CAPHN) works to promote, protect, and improve the health and well-being of communities in the Capital Area of New Hampshire.
CAPHN is an initiative of Granite United Way and serves as the Regional Public Health Network (RPHN) for the Capital Area. We bring together partners across sectors to address shared public health challenges and strengthen the systems that help communities thrive.
CAPHN is an initiative of Granite United Way and serves as the Regional Public Health Network (RPHN) for the Capital Area. We bring together partners across sectors to address shared public health challenges and strengthen the systems that help communities thrive.
WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH?
Public health focuses on keeping entire communities healthy—not just treating illness one person at a time.
It emphasizes prevention, education, safety, and the conditions that support health, including access to healthcare, safe housing, education, transportation, mental health supports, and emergency preparedness.
When public health works well, communities are safer, healthier, and more connected.
It emphasizes prevention, education, safety, and the conditions that support health, including access to healthcare, safe housing, education, transportation, mental health supports, and emergency preparedness.
When public health works well, communities are safer, healthier, and more connected.
WHAT IS A REGIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK (RPHN)?
New Hampshire is divided into 13 public health regions, each supported by a Regional Public Health Network (RPHN) contracted by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
As the Regional Public Health Network for the Capital Area, CAPHN connects partners to share information, align efforts, and respond together to public health challenges.
As the Regional Public Health Network for the Capital Area, CAPHN connects partners to share information, align efforts, and respond together to public health challenges.
OUR ROLE IN THE REGION
CAPHN does not provide direct services. Instead, we serve as a convener, coordinator, and strategic backbone for regional public health work.
Our role includes:
Our role includes:
COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CHIP)
CAPHN facilitates the development and implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for the Capital Area.
The CHIP is a multi-year roadmap that identifies priority health issues, sets shared goals, and guides coordinated action across the region. It is informed by local data, community voices, and partner expertise, and is designed to be practical and action-oriented.
The CHIP is a multi-year roadmap that identifies priority health issues, sets shared goals, and guides coordinated action across the region. It is informed by local data, community voices, and partner expertise, and is designed to be practical and action-oriented.
OUR PRIORITY AREAS
CAPHN does not provide direct services. Instead, we serve as a convener, coordinator, and strategic backbone for regional public health work.
The current Community Health Improvement Plan focuses on four priority areas:
The current Community Health Improvement Plan focuses on four priority areas:
OUR TEAM & PARTNERS
CAPHN’s work is powered by shared leadership and strong partnerships. While Granite United Way provides staffing and administrative support, the network’s impact is driven by the many organizations, agencies, and community members engaged in regional coalitions and initiatives.
Staff Directory
Sam Durfee, MSW
Director of Public Health
Sam Durfee serves as the Director for the Capital Area Public Health Network. She provides overall cordination and support to the public health strategies and scopes of work delivered through the Regional Public Health Network.
Sam received her Master of Social Work degree in 2017 from the University of New Hampshire, and has been with Granite United Way since 2016. Sam can be reached by email at samantha.durfee@graniteuw.org or by phone at (603)-224-2595, ext. 307.
Sam received her Master of Social Work degree in 2017 from the University of New Hampshire, and has been with Granite United Way since 2016. Sam can be reached by email at samantha.durfee@graniteuw.org or by phone at (603)-224-2595, ext. 307.
Ashley Sullivan, MPH
Director of Behavioral Health Strategies
Ashley Sullivan serves as the Director of Behavioral Health Strategies at the Capital Area Public Health Network. Ashley oversees the Continuum of Care, Substance Misuse Prevention, Suicide Prevention, and Mental Health Strategies.
Ashley earned her Master of Public Health degree from Purdue University with a concentration in Epidemiology. She has been with Granite United Way since 2023. Ashley can be reached by email at ashley.sullivan@graniteuw.org or by phone at (603)-224-2595, ext. 308.
Ashley earned her Master of Public Health degree from Purdue University with a concentration in Epidemiology. She has been with Granite United Way since 2023. Ashley can be reached by email at ashley.sullivan@graniteuw.org or by phone at (603)-224-2595, ext. 308.
Cailynn Aumock, MPH
Prevention Coordinator
Cailynn Aumock serves as the Prevention Coordinator for the Capital Area Public Health Network. In this role, she facilitates community partnerships, educational programs, and public health outreach activities related to substance misuse prevention, mental health and suicide prevention, and other community health priorities.
Cailynn earned her Master of Public Health in 2023 from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. She has been with Granite United Way since 2023 and can be reached by email at cailynn.aumock@graniteuw.org or by phone at (603)-224-2595 ext. 312.
Cailynn earned her Master of Public Health in 2023 from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. She has been with Granite United Way since 2023 and can be reached by email at cailynn.aumock@graniteuw.org or by phone at (603)-224-2595 ext. 312.
Damian Santana
Public Health Emergency
Preparedness Coordinator
Damian Santana is the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and is responsible for creating and supporting emergency response plans for the capitol region. His work addresses sheltering, community vaccination clinics and response planning related to manmade and natural disasters.
Damian received his Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health Project Management from Southern New Hampshire University. You can reach Damian at (603) 224-2595 ext 313 or via email at damian.santana@graniteuw.org
Damian received his Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health Project Management from Southern New Hampshire University. You can reach Damian at (603) 224-2595 ext 313 or via email at damian.santana@graniteuw.org