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Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) Newsletter - March 2025 |
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March is Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month
2025 DD Awareness Month: We’re Here All Year!
Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The annual campaign highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities.
NACDD’s 2025 theme, We’re Here All Year, emphasizing that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March.
This month reminds us that individuals with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life, including education, employment, recreation, and civic engagement.
Established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights the importance of fostering a society where people with disabilities are empowered to contribute to their communities.
While March provides an opportunity for heightened awareness, true awareness happens when we commit to creating accessible environments and productive opportunities year-round.
DHHS Roadmap 2024-2025 Mid-Year Report
The DHHS Roadmap 2024-2025 offers clarity of vision and transparency on the priorities, goals and work of the New Hampshire DHHS. This Roadmap 6-month report represents a look back at how far we have come, while providing an honest assessment of what it will take for us to get our destination.
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BDS Personnel Announcements
Karen McLaughlin rejoined the BDS team part-time in October, providing support to the BDS Regional Liaison team and service authorization process. She retired at the end of May last year after working with BDS for six years. Prior to her time at BDS she also worked at an area agency for 20 years and a service provider for several years, including roles as Service Coordinator, Director of Service Coordination and Program Manager for Community Participation Services.
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Aida Ramirez transitioned into the role of a Long-Term Care Medical Eligibility Specialist within the Prior Authorization Unit in October. Aida initially joined BDS in February 2023 as the BDS Administrative Assistant after her tenure with the Moore Center for over 11 years. She began her career there in 2011, as a Direct Support Professional, then Respite Coordinator, Senior Transition Coordinator, and lastly, the Senior Manager of Individual Budgets.
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Stacy Merriam joined the BDS team as a Regional Liaison in October. Stacy has dedicated over 21 years to the Human Services field, serving at Community Crossroads. During her tenure, she began her career in the Finance Department, managing Payroll and Accounts Payable, and later transitioned into the role of Service Authorization and Finance Operations Specialist.
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Tammy Adams joined BDS as a Program Specialist IV in February. Tammy has worked as a Service Coordinator at Region 3 for the past 10 years, working with adults who experience both Intellectual Disabilities and Brain Injury. Throughout her career, Tammy has also worked with children who have disabilities in both school settings and home settings.
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 BDS is currently providing access to time-limited funding for recreational services and activities that enable people to participate more fully in their communities. Please see the Recreational Services Funding Flyer for details. Funding must be requested by June 1, 2025, and is subject to availability of funding.
5th Annual Regional Transition Fair
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What happens when the school bus drops off for the last time?
Individuals with disabilities & their families connect with local agencies for information on:
- Independent Living Programs
- Employment Programs
- College & Career Training Programs
- ... and more!
APRIL 9, 2025 5:30-8:00pm
Concord Parks and Recreation 14 Canterbury Rd Concord, NH 03301
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In-Home Supports (IHS) Waiver Renewal
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The IHS Waiver is beginning the renewal process, with an anticipated completion date of 1/1/2026. Prior to drafting any changes to the current waiver, BDS held a series of individual and family listening sessions to hear feedback, experiences, and thoughts from individuals and families who utilize services on the IHS Waiver, facilitated by the Institute on Disability at UNH.
There is still time to submit your opinions! To submit written feedback, email IHSWaiver@dhhs.nh.gov or to provide anonymous feedback, fill out the webform at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disability-care/developmental-services/contact-bds
Supports Intensity Scale (SIS-A) Assessments
In the December 2024 BDS Newsletter we featured information about the SIS-A assessments currently being conducted by Public Consulting Group (PCG) Assessors. In addition to the FAQ document previously shared, PCG has also created a helpful NH SIS Scheduling Process resource on their website. The PCG website also includes other helpful tools and information on the SIS-A.
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2025 Family Support Conference
2025 Employment Leadership Awards
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Nominations for the 2025 Employment Leadership Awards are currently being accepted!
Each year, the Employment Leadership Committee invites nominations for New Hampshire businesses that demonstrate leadership in hiring, retaining, and promoting individuals with disabilities within their workforce. The five winning businesses will receive a full-page feature in the September issue of Business NH Magazine, as well as a highlight video showcasing their efforts. Additionally, they will be invited to join us for a celebration ceremony on October 9, 2025 in Manchester, NH.
Please see the nomination cover letter for more detailed information about the award and the criteria for suitable nominations. All nominated businesses will be interviewed in person by a committee member as part of the selection process. Nominations can be submitted by Vocational Rehabilitation NH staff, partners, vendors, employees with disabilities, customers of a business, or by businesses themselves through self-nomination for the award.
If you are nominating a business, please ensure they are aware of the nomination and process, which includes an initial onsite interview. If selected as a winner, they will be asked to participate in media promotions, such as the Business NH Magazine article and photo shoot, as well as an on-site recording for a promotional video by Drum Media. Winners will also be expected to attend the celebration ceremony in October.
To submit a nomination, please complete the nomination form and submit it online or print and email it to doe-vrnh-beu@doe.nh.gov. Kindly note that incomplete nominations may not be processed. Nominations must be submitted by April 18, 2025.
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HCBS Waiver Service Options Overview
BDS is pleased to announce the development of a webinar series on the current services available on the Developmental Disabilities (DD), Acquired Brain Disorder (ABD), and In-Home Supports (IHS) Home and Community Based Services waivers. The webinars provide individuals and families an overview of the services that are available within the DD Service System.
Developmental Disability and Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver Services
In Home Supports Waiver Services
Foundation for Seacoast Health's 2025 Strategic Grant
The Foundation for Seacoast Health awards grants to organizations that improve the health and well-being of individuals in the Foundation’s service area, which includes the following 9 towns: New Hampshire: Portsmouth, Newington, New Castle, Greenland, Rye, North Hampton. Maine: Kittery, Eliot, York.
The Foundation is excited to announce that the 2025 Strategic Grant cycle will focus on Healthy Aging. This grant cycle closes April 25, 2025. Visit https://www.foundationforseacoasthealth.org/grantmaking to read the RFP and to submit an Inquiry Form. For any specific questions or to connect about the Foundation for Seacoast Health’s 2025 grant cycle on Healthy Aging, contact Blair Demers at bdemers@ffsh.org.
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Person Centered Service Planning and Practices Training
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The Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Developmental Services and Bureau of Adult and Aging Services is excited to announce upcoming training for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) on Person Centered Service Planning and Practices, and Advocacy and Choice. These two sessions are designed to improve services for people receiving HCBS by enhancing everyone’s understanding and expectations in supporting individuals using a person-centered approach and informed choice practices. The training is designed to target specific audiences, including case managers/service coordinators, direct support professionals and providers, and individuals and families. The two key topics covered during each training session will focus on person-centered practices and service planning and advocacy and choice.
These live interactive training sessions will cover:
- The principles of person-centered practices
- Tools to create individualized and strengths-based plans
- Your role in the person-centered service planning process and how to prepare
- Understanding the difference between informed choice and supported decision-making
- Strategies to empower decision-making
- Your role in advocacy and voicing needs and rights
- Promoting choice and encouraging self-determination in decision making
- Practices and strategies for improving engagement and outcomes
This training will provide practical tools and strategies to help case managers/service coordinators, providers and direct support professionals, individuals and families champion person-centered practices, support autonomy, and empowerment. The training will be offered in-person at locations around the state for all interested parties. If unable to attend an in-person session, live webinar sessions also will be offered to case managers/service coordinators, providers and direct support professionals. For individuals and families unable to attend an in-person session, a self-paced eLearning course will also be available in the near future.
Below are instructions on how to register for one of these sessions.
- Please click on this link https://newhampshire-hcbs-pc.corsizio.com/ to register for one of the in-person or webinar sessions available.
- After you register for your live (in-person or webinar) training session, you must also register for a free Moodle account to complete a brief questionnaire before your training session. Please register for the free Moodle account here: https://newhampshire-hcbs-pc.moodlecloud.com/login/index.php.
If you have any problems logging in to Moodle or registering for a session, please contact Qlarant at NH_HCBS_PC@qlarant.com.
Certified Direct Support Professional (CDSP) Program
Gateways Community Services, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, is launching a free CDSP program to increase the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce in New Hampshire's HCBS settings. Funded by a Workforce Recruitment and Retention Strategies Grant from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the program provides a streamlined path for individuals to become certified DSPs.
The program focuses on creating opportunities for a more inclusive and diverse immigrant workforce and for anyone looking to explore a new career or make a career change. A multilingual (English, Spanish, and Portuguese) online curriculum is available.
To learn more about Gateways to DSP Credentialing, please visit www.gatewayscs.org/dspcert and watch the promotional video https://vimeo.com/1029288758
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Grant-Funded Clinical Learning Series
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Easterseals NH is excited to offer FREE grant-funded competency-based training to organizations across the state of New Hampshire. The format is customizable and can be in-person, online, or hybrid.
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"This training was awesome! So many different ideas on handling challenges to help people move forward towards independence in work and in life. Thank you very much for this class!!"
- Direct Service Professional (DSP) Training Participant
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We offer training in the following areas:
- State-mandated (Human Rights, Quality of Life, Person-Centered Thinking, …)
- Medication Administration
- Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB)
- Worksite Instruction
- Personal Care Lab
- Clinical training; for example, Intensive Treatment Services, Positive Behavior Supports, Trauma Informed Care
- Diagnosis-specific trainings; for example, PTSD, Autism, Borderline Personality Disorder
- Safely navigating the internet and accessing modern technology
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Easterseals is an accredited education provider recognized by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and offer training in the following competencies for individuals to earn NADSP accreditation.
- Code of Ethics
- Participant Empowerment
- Communication
- Assessment
- Community and Service Networking
- Facilitation of Services
- Community Living Skills and Supports
- Advocacy
- Vocational, Educational, and Career Support
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Organizational Participation
- Documentation
- Building and Maintaining Professional Relationships
- Providing Person-Centered Supports
- Supporting Health and Wellness
See the complete course schedule here!
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Advocacy Training Series
New Futures provides trainings for individuals and organizations who want to advocate for the health and wellbeing of New Hampshire residents.
The Training Series Includes:
- Advocacy 101 Webinars: Learn how the state legislature works and how to effectively engage.
- Full-Day Advocacy 101 Trainings: Deep dive into advocacy skills, featuring workshops about messaging crafting and a State House tour.
- Budget Process Webinar: Understand the ins and outs of New Hampshire's budget process and the best ways to get involved.
Whether you're a first-time advocate or looking to refresh your skills, these trainings will equip you with the skills to create meaningful change. Register for one or more sessions at new-futures.org/trainings
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