Our History

Established in 1982 as a private, not-for-profit corporation and designated as an “area agency for developmental services” for Merrimack County

Developmental Disabilities (DD) Mental retardation (MR), autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or

a specific learning disability requiring treatment similar to that required for MR

Our History

We help plan, provide and oversee the quality of long-term care support to over 1,900 local citizens.

Our mission:

“Community Bridges will advance the integration, growth and interdependence of people with

disabilities within their home communities and be a leader in the deliver of and advocacy for innovative

supports to individuals and their families”

Our History

We have learned that disability is a natural part of the human experience.

It can occur as a result of a variety of causes Developmental impairment Chronic Illness Traumatic Head Injury The natural results of aging

Community Bridges helps people address the risks associated with disability by providing a community-based approach, relying on the strength of families, helping to build and retain relationships with others, keeping our communities whole so that we are all stronger as a result of the inclusion and contributions of people of all abilities.

Our History

How do we meet out mission? Infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) – intensive family-

centered early intervention Support to families with children experiencing

disabilities while they are in school – respite, information, advocacy, life planning, in-home support

Adults with disabilities to help experience a good life in the community – planning, specialized foster care, staffed homes, day-time support, job development and consultation, in home support to elders, resources to families to self-direct the care provided to a loved one.

Resource and support to communities to advance inclusion

Our History

We have renewed our designation as an Area Agency since 1982 after a comprehensive review of performance by the Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS).

We have been designated as an Other Qualified Agency to provide in home support to elders by the Bureau of Elder and Adult Services (BEAS) since January of 2008

Our History

We are part of a network of 10 area agencies in the state of New Hampshire Designed as a “public-private partnership” where local

communities have a voice in the unique design of services for their area

Boards of Directors have at least 1/3 representation by consumers

Integrated with other area agencies through the CSNI corporation to achieve efficiencies in insurance purchases, training, quality outcome measurements and common intake practices

Ten Regions

Our History

Initial task was to partner with the State of New Hampshire to convert the system of support for people experiencing developmental disabilities from a high-cost institutional model to an efficient system of local community supports. In 1991 all Merrimack County residents who were living at the institution were returned home!

New Hampshire was the first in the nation to completely transition from institutional to community-based services through the area agency model of support (only eight other states have done so)

Cost

While NH moved ahead after 1991 to refine our community-based service system most other states have remained in an expensive, segregated or facility-based model

$126,885,412

$99,813,337

$120,231,000

$197,464,766

$-

$50,000,000

$100,000,000

$150,000,000

$200,000,000

$250,000,000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Waiver Institution

What NH would have paid for combined residential and day (24/7) services under institutional (ICF/MR) rates vs.what it actually paid under the Medicaid Waiver

Cost

Even when compared to surrounding New England states with similar models, NH comes our ahead in providing a lower average cost.

State

Average Per Person Waiver

Expenditures*Variance

to NH

Maine 84,203$ 40,609$ Rhode Island 74,987$ 31,393$ Connecticut 58,139$ 14,545$ Massachusetts 58,045$ 14,451$ Vermont 47,575$ 3,981$ New Hampshire 43,594$ -$ Source: Braddock 2008 *2006 Data

Who are the people in need of new services?

New Applicants

Young adults needing continuing support after graduation from High School

Family care-givers who can no longer sustain the level of support provided in the past and need additional help

Young Adults

Young adults graduating from public schools often continue to be supported by their families 80% of those we support through Community Bridges live with

their families Without assistance after graduation, a parent – usually

the mother – must quit work in order to stay home and provide essential care or supervision. Often the gains experienced through school are lost.

Older Caregivers

Older caregivers who support their children at home eventually experience the strains of aging.

Failing Health Physical frailty Increasing impoverishment

Added to this is the emotional stress over what will happen to their children when they no longer can provide care.

Adults & Children with Complex Behavioral Needs

Complex behavioral and medical needs are an increasing category. This includes the increasing rates of diagnosis for Autism

Total care & supervision Sophisticated medical equipment to monitor Children who cannot be left alone for safety reasons

Without adequate support family stability can deteriorate forcing parents to seek more expensive out-of-home options.

A better option – trained respite care, regular in-home support, appropriate day activities, working with parents to self-direct the care provided in the home.

Learn more about us:

www.communitybridgesnh.org Meet us on

More information on our home page

Call: Roy Gerstenberger, Executive Director

225-4153

Email: rgerstenberger@communitybridgesnh.org

Thank You

Martha Perske from PERSKE:PENCIL PORTRAITS 1971-1990 (Nashville: Arbingdon Press, 1998)