Ground Hog Day- the movie
By: Opinion

Having joined a new parent group called ABLE NH which stands for Advocates Building Lasting Equality in New Hampshire, I get to say I’m tired of having to testify over and over every time some one wants to save money by bringing back something that I have already testified about! Having just retired (or maybe just changed jobs) after 20 years at Moore Center Services, inc. Region 7, I’ve earned the right to look back on the evolution of not only Family Support but the Area Agency system as well. Being a military wife and having traveled to many states before settling in New Hampshire also gives me comparisons about how services for children and adults are managed in other states.

Eligibility for Medicaid has gone back from being Permanently and Totally Disabled

(the program is still called APTD) to using the same definition as Social Security (one year’s duration) then to 48 months. Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities was established for working adults at first using employment as a criteria then requiring an individual to be making minimum wage and is now back to anyone working who pays FICA. New Hampshire is one of only a few states that require individuals to qualify with different criteria to different Sate agencies because our Live Free motto means requiring different qualifications for different services. In many other states an individual can go to one office to apply for Social Security benefits, state supplemental funds and Medicaid. In New Hampshire these benefits require 2 separate applications with different requirements in different offices.

Commissioner Terry Morton felt he could restructure the Area Agency system to save money but even he came to understand that local control means better services because when the provision of services are managed by those who receive the services, they fit the population they are intended for – at less cost. John Stephen forced two Area Agencies to merge proclaiming a great savings that never happened. Teddy Nardy was a legislator from Manchester who didn’t mince words. She said New Hampshire isn’t a poor state, just a cheap state. She is no longer with us but we need her "cut the crap" attitude.

HB 1499 was another attempt to merge our 10 area Agencies to one agency in Concord and 4 satellite agencies- East West South and North. Our area agency system is recognized as a model in the county, yet two or three junior legislators in the House were willing to scrap it – get this – without first having done ANY RESEARCH OR PLANNING. Haven’t we learned anything?

I attended a regional planning meeting in Manchester where Nick Toupas explained the concept of creating regional collaboratives to merge like minded agencies to creating savings so that limited resources can be better utilized than having the state pay 6000+ vendors as the state does now. When I study other states whose government agencies in other states that have multiple levels of government from State services to regional offices and then local branches I know that in our State our dollars get to the recipients without all the other bureaucratic layers which are present in the other 49 states.

I need to inform the town and city governments that when a child with special needs enters their school system, their educational expenses are reimbursed by Medicaid to schools. What I know that many don’t know that all towns and cities DON"T SHOW THESE FUNDS IN THE SCHOOL BUDGETS, THE MONEY RECOVERED GOES INTO THEIR GENERAL REVENUE TO OFF SET PROPERTY TAXES!

I’ve made a decision. I need to stop complaining about having to explain why these ideas from past legislation haven’t worked. I need to be the historian that I am and I need to teach all the nubies about how our system/laws came about. Rather than bemoaning about all this, I need to inform those who are new to the system why we have what we have and I also need to be open to new ideas as well. Twenty years ago Family Support was a new idea. In Home Supports was a new idea and so were Family Directed/ Consolidated Services.

I’m guilty of refusing to look at what we have in order to make it better. And I also need to be reminded that Family Support has empowered families to look not at what exists but to question so that we can evolve beyond where we are to keep searching for better ways to make our community a place where everyone can participate. I need to ensure that we keep families informed and engaged so families will continue to be connected to a system where they are recognized as an active force to be listened to by those elected to serve them.

This is why I am delighted to now be part of The New Hampshire Challenge. Our combined staff has the historical files, the facts, and can cut through the false promises quickly. Look for more informed – no nonsense - commentary from me in the future. It may help you spot a snake oil salesman or two.