New Hampshire Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund
John T. Broderick, Jr., Administrator
About the New Hampshire Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund:
On May 27, 2022 the N.H. Legislature adopted RSA 21 M:11-a, establishing the Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund to compensate any living person who may have been sexually abused and or physically abused by or because of a YDC staff member while they were a resident at a youth development center (YDC) in New Hampshire or its renamed or successor entity and any predecessor entity performing the function of housing adjudicated delinquent or pre-adjudication detained youth, including the State Industrial School, the Philbrook School, the Tobey Special Education School, and the Youth Services Center. The state’s express statutory purpose in establishing the fund and the administrative process is to create a trauma-informed, victimcentered alternative to litigation for the efficient and fair administration of claims.
Any former resident of a New Hampshire youth development center who was personally subjected to sexual abuse and or physical abuse may file an administrative claim. Participation by a former YDC resident in the administrative claims process is voluntary and any former YDC resident who elects not to participate retains the right to pursue a claim in a judicial or other forum.
Additional information can be found on the Resources & Forms section of our website.
Claims Process
All claims must be filed with the YDC Claims Administration and Settlement Fund by mail, e-mail, fax, or hand-delivery (by appointment only) at the addresses provided in the Claim Packet Instructions and on this webpage.
Emotional Support Resources
Emotional Support Resources
Making a claim may be emotionally difficult. If you are experiencing distress and want to talk, please contact:
New Hampshire 211
When calling from inside the State of New Hampshire, dial “211”
When calling from outside the State, call 1-866-444-4211
You can also reach out to:
NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- In N.H. the statewide hotline is available 24/7 by calling 866-644-3574 to speak to a confidential support advocate
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Dial or Text: 988
- Veterans: after dialing 988, press 1 to be connected directly to a veterans crisis lifeline
Community mental health centers:
- Seacoast area residents should contact the Seacoast Mental Health Center by calling 603-431-6703
- Strafford County residents should contact the Community Partners of Strafford County by calling Heather Merrill at 603-516-9343
Staff at the Department of Corrections:
- If you are incarcerated and are experiencing emotional distress, please reach out to the staff of the Department of Corrections who are there to help. Help is available through your case manager, victim witness advocate, and mental health counselor. If these staff are not on site, nursing can assist you.
Deadline for filing a claim:
Administrative claims may be filed beginning January 1, 2023. To be accepted and reviewed, your claim must be postmarked or submitted and received no later than December 31, 2024. All claims must be filed with the NH YDC Claims Administration and Settlement Fund by e-mail, by postal mail, by fax, or by hand-delivery (appointment only) at the addresses provided in the Claim Packet instructions and on this webpage.
To request assistance in completing and submitting your claim.
If you do not have an attorney and are having trouble completing your forms, help is available. Please contact YDC Claims Administration staff to be connected with someone who can assist you. You can reach our staff by phone at 603-415-2136 (for toll free dial 1-833-423-2136) or by email at claims@ydcclaims.nh.gov. Click onto the “Contact Us” portion of this webpage for further information.
In addition, see the “Resources & Forms” section for a list of attorneys willing to consult with a former YDC resident concerning their decision to file a claim.
Legal Notice –Advice of Counsel
If you are unsure whether or not to submit a claim or to participate in the Claim Process, you should consult with an attorney. If you do not have an attorney, please see the “Resources & Forms” portion of this webpage for a list of attorneys willing to consult with former YDC residents concerning their decision to file a claim.