Easterseals Closure Of Adult Day Care And Adding Staff At SYSC Covered By Council

By PAULA TRACY, InDepth NH

CONWAY, NH — The fact that Easterseals NH is cutting its adult day care services in Manchester and Rochester has the governor and Executive Council asking for a meeting and a review of all contracts that nonprofit has with the state.

Effective October 17, 2026, Easterseals NH will conclude Adult Day services in Rochester and Manchester.

“We are working on finding other providers who can continue services to our existing clients. Easterseals NH will continue to provide licensed home health nursing services,” a statement on its website reads.

The council approved a contract with the organization in June and Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she is “deeply disappointed” that the statement went out to the public without first a conversation with her office or the council.

The news came Wednesday as the council met for its meeting at Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, the governor’s choice for hosting her meeting in the summer tour of the state, known as the Executive Council “Road Show.”

The state now has only two adult day care centers which focus on memory care, preventive care and social activities along with access to health care and caregiver support.

Ayotte said Easterseals NH plans to meet with state health care officials on Friday.

Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, said that means that more seniors will end up in nursing homes and that these facilities provide the sort of community connection and outreach that is necessary for continued living independently.

The program in Manchester has been open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free transportation.

“At Easterseals NH Adult Day Manchester, we want everyone to feel like they belong from day one. Friends who spend the day with us enjoy brain-healthy activities, woodworking and crafting, growing tomatoes in our garden, expressive arts, intergenerational programs with our early childhood programs, and animal-assisted therapy, to name a few. In addition to activities that align with participant interests, we are certified in nationally accredited, evidence-based programs that build physical strength and balance. Everyone participates to their ability,” the website reads.

Maureen Beauregard, president and chief executive officer of Easterseals NH & VT responded to InDepthNH.org’s request for a comment by email.

She said that starting on February 4, 2026, Easterseals NH proactively began discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the possibility of program closure.

“Since that time, we have held numerous meetings with the State who have been very helpful as we’ve worked through the logistics of ensuring that all clients receive the support that they need to transfer to new services as seamlessly as possible.

“Persistent workforce shortages have made recruiting qualified direct care staff increasingly difficult, while reimbursement rates have not kept pace with rising wages, and other costs of care, resulting in these programs operating at significant losses to Easterseals NH in recent years.

“Our Adult Day programs have faced an additional challenge of low enrollment since the COVID – 19 pandemic, despite ongoing efforts to increase participation,” Beauregard said.

She added they are “working diligently to support the individuals and families we serve as well as our dedicated staff through this transition. We will continue to work closely with NH DHHS as well as other community partners to help identify person-centered care options to minimize disruption while also supporting our employees.”

Importantly, she said, Easterseals NH will continue to serve seniors through a variety of programs, such as in-home health nursing program, developmental services, behavioral health, care coordination, military and veterans services, and housing.

A letter to the community on this issue provided Easterseals NH is here: https://eastersealsnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/community-letter-adult-day.pdf

LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS AWARDED

The council unanimously awarded $100,000 death benefits to each of the families of public service individuals whose lives were cut short because of line of duty deaths determined by the Commissioner of Safety. They included Lt. Charles Gallant of the Rye Fire Department, Capt. William Connor of Goffstown Fire, and Sgt. Brian J. Ross of the New Hampshire State Police. Members of their families attended the meeting as condolences were offered by the governor.

PROPOSED CAMERAS ON DOT TRUCKS QUESTIONED

Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon asked Commissioner of Transportation David Rodrigue why there are cameras planned for DOT vehicles which were not ever approved by the executive council.

She said the state very much values privacy and was concerned about the decision made to allow them. Rodrigue said the cameras are all about safety and keeping track of incidents involving the DOT.

The cameras can be programmed to blur license plates. The data lives for 72 hours and then is automatically deleted. For the most part, it would take a subpoena to access the information, he said.

Liot Hill asked if they are considered flock cameras and he said they are not.

Ayotte asked the commissioner for a memo on legality of this and he agreed to that.

Councilor Stephen said he has heard from constituents and has concerns as related to the driver privacy law and the constitution.

Rodrigue said he would have this reviewed by the Attorney General and noted there will be no AI functions involved for facial recognition or license plate, but would like to take acknowledgment of technology to improve.

BLOCK GRANTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The council approved federal funds for projects in Keene, Lisbon, and Tilton which will help with the needs for affordable housing, peer recovery and family resources.

This includes $500,000 for the rehabilitation and lead hazard remediation of a four-unit multifamily structure at 657 Marlboro St., the Community Kitchen at 37 Mechanic St., Keene for another $500,000; $533,900 for microenterprise grants and technical assistance at the Sullivan County Nursing Home, the rehab of 19 units of affordable housing at 40 South Main Street in Lisbon and $500,000 for AHEAD Archways to build a second floor at 5 Prospect St., Tilton which is a peer recovery and family resource center.

MORE STAFF APPROVED FOR SUNUNU CENTER APPROVED/PROPERTY SALE PROCESS DISCUSSED

The council approved the reclassification of eight positions to fill staffing needs at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester.

“Without approval, SYSC will continue to face critical staffing and supervisory gaps that may limit programming capacity, increase reliance on overtime, place additional strain on employees, and reduce the facility’s ability to consistently meet the needs of youth and support daily operations. These ongoing challenges increase risks to you, staff, and facility stability and may impair the State’s ability to fulfill its obligations within the juvenile justice system,” wrote Patricia Tilley, associate DHHS commissioner in requesting the change.

Liot Hill asked DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver about the critical staffing shortage previously discussed at the last meeting and how this fits into reforms being implemented.

Weaver said these were unfunded and with permission from the governor to get the funding. She said the request was expedited and is in “mass recruitment.” Today seven interviews are planned for youth counselors, she said.

“We can move pretty quickly once you approve that…it could be days and weeks,” that people are in place. The state’s acting child advocate has been onsite and recommended the body worn cameras to be used.

The Department of Corrections is giving equipment and a training session has already been held, Weaver said.

“It is new,” she said. “We are probably within a week of implementation.”

The council also discussed the sale of the Sununu Center in Manchester and the process that will be set out to decide what happens to that valuable piece of land.

They were told that the Manchester mayor is putting together a task force to work on the process. Councilor Stephen said the public wants to see the requests for proposals before they go out.

“We can do that,” said Charlie Arlinghaus, commissioner of Administrative Services.

AUDIT FOR USNH CUTS?

Liot Hill asked the Commissioner of Education whether cuts to budgets in USNH were fair and said that the cuts seem to be focused on “saving the flagship” at the expense of Keene and Plymouth colleges. Ayotte said the council could have an entire meeting about USNH and suggested it be discussed “outside this forum.”

NO NHSP/ICE ACTIVITY IN LEBANON AND KEENE

Commissioner of Safety Robert Quinn was lauded by Councilor Liot Hill for his quick response to her request for information on whether New Hampshire State Police were involved in recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Keene and Lebanon and his response was “no” that his department was not involved.

YDC CLAIMS PROCESS RESUMES

Attorney General John Formella said hearings have resumed as of last week for individuals who claim they were sexually or physically abused at the former YDC and are willing to go through the settlement process. He said 425 claims have been resolved and there are 100 or 200 withdrawn or resolved. So far the state has spent between $200 million and $300 million in awards paid out, Formella said. There are 1,700 more cases left to be resolved.

LITIGATION CASES QUESTIONED BY LIOT HILL INCLUDING EDUCATION FUNDING AND NORTHERN RAIL TRAIL BLOCKAGE

Councilor Liot Hill pressed the Attorney General on a number of issues before the courts.

A 125-page brief just filed by the Attorney General in laying out its case for state education funding is available for the public to review, the Attorney General and the Governor said Wednesday.

As to an issue involving the Northern Rail Trail in Andover which was blocked by an abutter, Formella said the state filed a lawsuit against the abutter to get the trail open and reached a temporary agreement which is in place while the litigation proceeds.

Meanwhile, the abutter has filed a counterclaim and he said that is not uncommon.

A second crossing for the abutters’ purposes was installed and what is of concern is the grade and the width, said Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye. She noted that the association is concerned.

A temporary agreement is not meant to resolve all issues, Formella said.

“There are still issues that need to be resolved,” he said. “It’s not a final resolution.”

Stevens said “this is a safety issue.”

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.