10 Ferry Street, Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301
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10 Ferry Street, Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301
The Association for New Hampshire's Ten Area Agencies
Archived News from CSNI
'Bridging the gap: The need for fair wages in elder care services in New Hampshire"
November 28, 2023
Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS), association member with CSNI, shared the pressing need for workforce and funding to support elders in our community.
While climate change and its concurrent risks receive public and political attention on a daily basis, there’s another threat to our society that has profound consequences on our well-being and is much more immediate. It’s a crisis that’s not getting the public attention it deserves.
It’s well known that the share of older residents in our state’s population is increasing. And we all want to age with dignity and in safety.
Unfortunately, however, our idyllic vision of dignified aging at home is marred by a harsh reality – a dire shortage of elder care workers to support us in doing that. This is not a looming problem with dire consequences 50 years in the future. It’s one that’s already upon us.
'A Helmet Can Save You Life' Public Service Announcement from Lakes Region Community Services
June 1, 2023
Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS), association member with CSNI, shared this moving public service announcement (PSA) from Keith Tuttle on the importance of wearing a helmet especially as the Laconia Bike Week approaches. To watch the PSA and find out more please click the link below.
"Keith Tuttle, an avid motorcyclist, experienced a life-altering accident that left him with a major brain injury. In a heartfelt PSA, he shares his journey of survival, emphasizing the crucial role helmets play in protecting riders. As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Laconia Motorcycle Week Rally, let's remember Keith's story and the importance of wearing a helmet. Stay safe on the road and remember: A helmet can save your life."
Public Comment Period for Proposed Amendments to NH's DD, ABD & IHS 1915 (c) waivers until 5/15/23
April 21, 2023
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) have proposed amendments to the Developmental Disability, Acquired Brian Disorder and In Home Support, Home and Community Based Care 1915 (c) waivers.
The public comment period is now open until May 15, 2023. BDS encourages people to participate and provide input by email or mail. Separate email addresses are available for each of the proposed waiver amendments.
- DD Waiver: DDWaiver@dhhs.nh.gov
- ABD Waiver: ABDWaiver@dhhs.nh.gov
- IHS Waiver: IHSWaiver@ddhs.nh.gov
For more information on the Home and Community Based Care 1915 (c) waivers and the amendments please go to: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disability-care/developmental-services/1915c-home-and-community-based-services
News
Kind Hearts Willing to Learn
September 8, 2022
More than 12,000 people in New Hampshire experience an intellectual or developmental disability and need the direct assistance of another person to live a fulfilling life. Depending on their challenges, the help they need might range from structured instruction on how to perform job tasks, or help with feeding, dressing, medication management and other activities of daily living.
Our state’s system of ten nonprofit regional area agencies helps people with disabilities and their families lead fulfilling lives. We and our partner agencies employ thousands of people in direct care positions to provide the one-on-one support that helps citizens with disabilities reach their potential to become valued and participating members of their communities.
Early Identification of Developmental Delays is Crucial
August 11, 2022
The first day of each new school year typically marks an important milestone in a child’s development. But a set of even more important developmental milestones actually begin as young as two months of age. By then, for example, most babies should be able to make sounds other than crying and hold their heads up when on their tummy.
By six months, most babies can roll from their tummy onto their back and reach to grab a toy they want. At a year, they can pull themselves up to stand, walk holding furniture and play simple games with you like patty-cake.
All children develop at slightly different rates, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has outlined developmental milestones like these up to age five to benchmark whether a child’s cognitive, social, motor, speech and other important skills are progressing on schedule or appear to be delayed. These may be found on the CDC’s website by searching for “CDC’s Developmental Milestones.”
It’s important to identify any developmental delays early because they do not go away on their own. The earlier a child can receive therapy or services to help them develop the skills they lack, the better their outcome will be later on.
National Survey Results on DSP Retention
October 24, 2019
Below is a link to a White Paper from Relias that may be beneficial to review as we continue to work on the work force challenges related to Direct Support Professionals. The overall goal of the survey was to gain a better understanding of how agencies can boost DSP retention. It was completed during July of 2019. There were 842 total responses that were received. It was distributed through social media, email and partner organizations including the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, The Arc of the United States and the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR).
Some of the questions are related to what do you like most/least about your job, how long have you worked as a DSP and at your current agency, what motivates you to continue this work, in addition to pay increases or benefits- what else is important to you that your employer could do the stay for the next five years, what do you need more training on, etc.
The Budget Has Passed!!!
September 26, 2019
On behalf of its members and the individuals and families they serve, Community Support Network, Inc. would like to extend a sincere thank you to New Hampshire’s policy makers for their work in passing the 2020-2021 biennium budget, and for continuing to fund the Developmental Disability Waitlist over the summer to ensure that individuals would receive the supports they need. These bipartisan efforts from the Senate, House, Fiscal Committee and the Governor’s office, culminated in the state budget being signed into law today.
The state budget provides full funding for the Waitlist and ongoing service budgets, and an additional $250,000 for each year of the biennium for Early Supports and Services. The budget also includes the first Medicaid rate increase in thirteen years for the Developmental Services System, which will aid in helping to address the work force challenges that individuals and families are facing.
The advocacy from individuals with disabilities and their families has been instrumental in this process. The legislature and the governor were able to hear about the importance of funding the waitlist and rate increases, and supported developmental services from the beginning to the end of this process. New Hampshire’s families are grateful for their dedication and understanding!
NH Medicaid's Care Management Special Open Enrollment
July 22, 2019
There are going to be three Medicaid Managed Care Organizations in the State of NH to choose from soon. If you are happy with your health care organization that you have now you do not need to do anything and your coverage will continue as usual. If you are not, below are some steps that you can take along with additional documents that can help explain the different plan options.
For Medicaid Managed Care plan members:
- Open enrollment is August 1 through August 30, 2019.
- There are three Health Plans to choose from - AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, NH Healthy Families, and Well Sense Health Plan.
- Effective September 1, 2019, all of the Health Plans must use the State’s Preferred Drug List (PDL). Impacted current members will receive information from their Health Plans about how this impacts their prescriptions.
- Effective September 1, 2019, members must use either the Family and Friends Mileage Reimbursement Program or public transportation for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation unless they qualify for a ride. Plans rules are available in the new Member Handbooks (on Plan websites by August 1).
- Members will be able to change Health Plans one-time between September 1 and November 29 as a result of the State’s new Health Plan contracts.
- New Member Handbooks (to be effective September 1, 2019) will be available on plan websites by August 1.
- AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire’s website will be live Monday July 22.
For more information, contact the Medicaid Service Center (NH Only) at 1-888-901-4999 (TDD Access: 1-800-735-2964), Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET.
There are some documents below to help with making your decision on the right health care plan for you.
Support Our Workforce
May 6, 2019
Today more than 50 organizations became united as one to express the importance of supporting our workforce. There was a press conference supported by the New Hampshire Health Care Workforce Coalition to bring attention to the Medicaid reimbursement rates, state loan repayment program, electronic background checks and more. SB 308 supports a 5% rate increase in the first fiscal year of the next budget and a 7% rate increase in the second year across all Medicaid providers. New Hampshire has not had a rate increase in more than a decade! Families, agencies and health care organizations are struggling to hire and retain qualified health care workers when they cannot pay a livable wage. There are more than 2,000 vacant positions across all health care sectors. Now is the time to invest in our health care workforce.
An Opportunity to Get Involved!
April 19, 2019
Every other year New Hampshire strategically develops a state budget for the next two years. That process typically begins in the fall and runs through June of the following year. The Governor developed his budget and delivered it to the House in February. The House held three public hearings and spent several hours through multiple work sessions making adjustments and now, it is onto the Senate. Through the public hearings we have an opportunity to help inform policy makers of things that are important to us in the budget.
Public hearings have been scheduled for the Senate and it is important that we have a strong turnout of support and advocate for the things that are important to us which could include full funding for developmental services, a rate increase to support hiring and retaining qualified staff, or the support of early supports and services, oral health care for adults and more.
What is important to you? Which public hearing will you be attending?
Institute on Disability Receives Challenge Grant for an Inclusive College Program
January 3, 2019
"The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the John Vance ACCESS Fund, a donor-advised fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, to support the implementation of the UNH-4U program, a new initiative providing an inclusive college experience to students with intellectual disabilities. The IOD is currently seeking an additional $150,000 in matching contributions necessary to begin the admissions process for students."
To read the full press release visit the IOD webiste below.
Continue to Fully Fund the Waitlist
December 7, 2018
CSNI would like to take a moment to thank all of the families, staff providers and partner organizations that joined us at the rally on December 5, 2018 to highlight the importance of continuing to fully fund the Waitlist and services within the developmental disability system. CSNI and some of its members along with ABLE NH cosponsored the event. Wednesday was organization day for the legislators and they had a packed schedule all day.
Thank you to Senator Bradley who was able to find time to speak to the group about the importance of staying involved. Thank you to all of the families who were able to take time out of their day to share their story and the impact that the waitlist has, had or could have on their family. We are happy that CSNI’s board president, Sandy Pelletier, was able to close the event with a positive message.
The 2019 legislative session is about to begin. It is a budget year where the legislature will be crafting a new budget for the two years to follow. It is vitally important that families continue to share their stories. Meet with your state representatives and build a relationship with them. There are upwards of 1000 bills each legislative session. There will be bills that impact all of us. Let your voices be heard.
To learn more about how to find and contact your legislators you can visit our contact your legislator page.