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Here is what's happening in the world of LRCS:
Making connections for kids with special needs
Plymouth area making strides in parent support
Written by Matt Perloff, Editor, Record Enterprise
As a parent of children with special needs, living here in northern New Hampshire, there may be a sense of isolation without knowledge of who to turn to for support and information.
A team representing the schools, community and area support organizations have come together to connect those seeking help and direction.
Barbara Stout of Our Trails Parent Support Group, Fran Gonsalves of SAU 48, Lisa DiMartino of Lakes Region Community Services and Audrey Burke of New Hampshire Connections are working together to promote and develop the opportunities for parents, families and others working with children that have special needs to share ideas and move forward.
The regional effort started coming together two years ago, when SAU 48 screened the documentary Including Samuel, chronicling the efforts of the Habib family to include son Samuel, who has cerebral palsy, in every facet of their lives. It was here that Stout met DiMartino, a Family to Family Coordinator and Legislative Liason for Lakes Region Community Services. DiMartino describes her role as “making connections,” bringing families together to meet, collaborate, share ideas and support on another. “They empower each other and come up with some amazing ideas,” said DiMartino.
Stout had always wanted to start a parent support group; in November 2008, that goal was realized with Our Trail Parent Support Group, providing a local opportunity for parents of children with special needs to come together. Stout felt the effort would go even further with the addition of workshops to strengthen parent training and involvement, at which point DiMartino connected Stout with Audrey Burke of New Hampshire Connections, who in turn brought the effort full circle as she connected with Fran Gonsalves, Director of Special Education for SAU 48.
In the past year NH Connections has brought workshops to the Campton, Thornton and Waterville Valley schools, focusing on topics such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Envisioning Your Child’s Future and Parent and Professional Communication, among other topics. These workshops are open not only to parents of children with special needs, but also school officials and others interested “One of the things we were trying to focus on was opening them up to a general audience, so it wasn’t strictly for parents of children with special needs,” explained Burke.
They have also held Parent Leadership Training in Special Education at the Whole Village Resource Center in Plymouth, where parents engage in a two-day, 10-hour intensive course that allow them to step up as leaders in their child’s school or in area support groups. Parents are referred to this training by the school district, allowing them to return and help support the schools in bringing in parent involvement.
“It’s important that we have parent input,” said Burke. “Come September, we’re looking to have more parent involvement in the schools, and we’d like to have that input.”
“That’s one of the things I think the state is really pushing,” added Gonsalves. “That we try to ask families what they’d like and what information they need to help their children develop.”
Though Stout, Gonsalves, DiMartino and Burke have worked together in their efforts, they have focused on different venues. For Burke and Gonsalves, the priority is promoting parent involvement and awareness at the school level, including the workshops and directing parents to other opportunities. “We try to meet the individual needs of families and have different kinds of opportunities for them,” said Gonsalves. “We try to make it happen for them so they can achieve what they want to achieve…there are lots of agencies and people and families out there that are willing to help them reach those goals.”
For DiMartino and Stout, it’s about promoting through the parent support group and other family-to-family connections. “The most wonderful thing is that this is about the families and the children,” said Stout. “It’s a collaborative; we’re hearing from the families, so it’s coming from the bottom up, not the top down. The goal is to meet the needs of the community and what the families want and the families want opportunities to be together…to have choices on the whole gamut.”
Stout’s group, in connection with the Waterville Valley Recreation Department, Lakes Region Community Support Group and Coyote Grill, has also organized a Family Fun Night for Monday, June 21, where families that have children with special needs can come together and connect while enjoying a variety of fun games and food courtesy of the Coyote Grill. The event, which runs 4-6 p.m. at Packard’s Field in Waterville Valley, is open to all, but pre-registration is appreciated. Please call Barbara Stout at 568-6442 to do so or for more information.
“We want parents to know that they don’t have to be isolated,” said Burke. “They can come in and be connected with all these activities, they can give input and make a difference for their child with disabilities. They just need to make a phone call, come to a meeting or reach out to somebody.”
For more information, contact Barbara Stout at Our Trail Parent Support Group, 568-6442; Lisa DiMartino at Lakes Region Community Services, 524-1741 ext. 17; Audrey Burke at NH Connections, 848-4204; or Fran Gonsalves at 536-1254 ext. 21. Additional information is also online at lrcsc.org and nhconnections.org
At 75, "Tillie" is fiercely independent. She worked all her life, raised three children and has lived under the same roof for more than 40 years — first with her family, then as half of a pair of empty nesters until her husband passed away a few years ago.
Now, she lives there by herself. It's quieter than it used to be, but it's still home. Besides, her grand kids think it's cool that they sleep in their parents' old bedrooms when they come to visit. Home is where her memories are and that is where she wants to stay for as long as she can. Though she may be slowing down a bit, Tillie is in good health and with a little help she should be able to remain in her home for several years to come.
Currently, New Hampshire's population of individuals like Tillie — those 60 and over — is roughly 16 percent. Reflecting a national trend, that figure will double in the next decade. Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1955, represent the largest population of people aging at one time in U.S. history. In response to this dynamic, Lakes Region Community Services, a not-for-profit comprehensive family support organization serving the Lakes Region since 1975, is expanding its HomeAssist Program. The program enables Lakes Region seniors and individuals with chronic illnesses to access the supports they need to be able to stay in their homes.
The HomeAssist Program provides non-medical hands on services for aging seniors such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping and laundry, escort and transportation, medication reminders, assistance with household responsibilities and general companionship.
Sandra Ringelstein of LRCS, who is currently in the process of educating the community about the HomeAssist Program, says she's received a lot of positive feedback from the various church, community and civic groups she's been in contact with recently.
"For the most part, people want to stay at home as they age," said Ringelstein. "They don't want to lose their independence and the longer they are able to live at home, the further they can stretch their own resources. A lot of people realize they just need a little help, so we're just making them aware that there are options out there. Generally, individuals start off wanting a little daily help with things like getting up, getting dressed and maybe laundry and some housekeeping. Then as time goes on and the need arises, they can increase those services if they need a bit more personal care," said Ringelstein. Whether one can pay for the service or qualify for the Medicaid Home and Community Based Care Choices for Independence Program, the LRCS HomeAssist Program provides the framework and supports to meet the individual's needs as directed by the individual or their representative.
The HomeAssist Program also provides those receiving services with flexibility and choices as to who will provide their in-home supports. If the person receiving services knows a neighbor or friend they already trust who can help them with their needs, HomeAssist can help formalize an employment arrangement with that individual. If not, qualified personal care providers are available
"Lakes Region Community Services provides caring support across the life span, from early childhood intervention to individual and family support," said LRCS Executive Director Chris Santaniello. "It is fitting for us to continue to expand our services to meet the needs of area seniors and those with chronic illnesses. As the local population ages, appropriate in-home supports will help the elderly stay in their homes as long as possible. Aging adults have options to live at home with dignity and they can increase services over time as necessary."
If you or someone you care about needs some in home assistance, call Lakes Region Community Services at 524-8811.
COURTESY PHOTO Adrien Masse enjoys the HomeAssistProgr am,
offered through Lakes Region Community Services, which allows
him to stay in his home but have non-medical help with daily
activities such as meals, light housework and laundry.
Used Furniture Cooperative Coming Soon
Lakes Region Community Services is developing a used furniture cooperative that will be located in Plymouth, NH. The used furniture cooperative will be owned by its members and will sell pre-owned furniture in excellent condition and household accessories to the community. We have recruited furniture cooperative members. Cooperative members will share in the ownership of the used furniture store. Each member will work an average of 12 hours per month at the store and will be able to sell used furniture on consignment. Have you always wanted to be an owner of a business and have a passion for second hand shopping? This will be a great opportunity for them to earn some money, do something that they enjoy and provide a great service to the Greater Plymouth community. Lakes Region Community Services has obtained NH Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Funds for the development of this used furniture cooperative through the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Developmental Services, provided by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. So give us a call now to become a member of the Furniture Cooperative.
Direct Support Professional and Home Provider Of The Year
Each year at the annual Direct Support Professional Conference two awards are given out for Direct Support Professional of the Year. One is for an employee of an agency and the second for a home provider supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in the State of New Hampshire.
A Direct Support Professional is someone who works directly with an individual with a disability, providing the necessary support to enable them to participate in activities, either work, volunteer, recreation, enjoyment, household activities, or personal care in their home or community. A Shared Family Living Provider is someone who opens their home and family to an individual with a disability, assisting them to participate in activities of the family and community.
This year, the process for nominations has changed. Each area agency will submit two names, one for each category that they would like to be nominated for this award. In order to be considered for this award, the nominee must have been employed or contracted with LRCS for at least 1 year and be an employee or provider in good standing.
Our final number of nominations are 9 for Direct Support Professionals and 4 for Shared Family Living Home Providers. LRCS will recognize all that are nominated at our annual Staff Appreciation event on Friday, September 25th. Ed tracy and Evelyn Camaione are the two Direct Support Professionals that have been nominated by Lakes Region Community Services for the statewide awards. Congratulations and Best of Luck.
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