Portsmouth Firm Hosts Legislative Coffee in Exeter

EXETER, NH — State Sen. Russell Prescott, State Reps. Alexis Simpson and Joe Guthrie, and Rep. candidate Gordon Wilson discussed vital issues for individuals with developmentally disabilities and acquired brain disorders with One Sky Community Services CEO Chris Muns, board member Gabrielle Grossman, and Community Support Network, Inc. representative Heather Donnell, according to a press statement. Joining in the discussion were 10 families who receive support through One Sky.

“Empowering the people we serve to advocate for the critical issues that impact them is a key part of our mission,” stated Muns. “We appreciate this opportunity to bring these issues to our legislative representatives.”

The legislative meeting, hosted at the Exeter home of One Sky Board member Gabrielle Grossman, is the first in a series of Legislative Coffees to be held in August and September. Grossman has a child with a developmental disability, and is a graduate of the UNH Institute on Disability’s Leadership Program, which teaches and encourages individuals to “get involved” and advocate for themselves and their families.

Pressing issues facing individuals with developmental disabilities today include:

• No Cost of Living Adjustment – Most of the clients served at One Sky have not had “cost of living adjustments” to their budgets in nearly twenty years, despite increases in the number of individuals and families served.
• Waitlist Funding – The only “new funding” One Sky receives for individuals in need of new or expanded services is through the “waitlist process.” In 2016 only eight out of 30 people were funded through the list. In 2017, only nine individuals will receive funding, leaving 31 people without.
• Housing – Annual support for room and board-related costs in New Hampshire is capped at $7,500 per individual per year, making it increasingly difficult to find safe and appropriate housing in communities throughout the State.
• Transportation – For those individuals who have become successful in becoming independent in their jobs are faced with having to give up those jobs because there is no funding to help with transportation to and from their jobs on a regular basis.
• Workforce Issues – There is great difficulty throughout the State in finding qualified Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to provide services to the individuals and families. This has led to excessive overtime and hardship burnout among staff, who strive to provide maximum essential services, often resulting in underutilization of services.

Legislators heard stories from many of the families in attendance about the struggles they face each day.

“We very much appreciate Senator Prescott, Representatives Simpson and Guthrie and Mr. Wilson for taking the time from their busy schedules to join us” said Audrey Gerkin, One Sky’s Family Education and Advocacy Liaison. “The challenges that these families face can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it is important for policymakers in Concord to be able to get a first-hand perspective on constituent issues they may not otherwise be aware of.”

The next upcoming Legislative Coffees are from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 4, at One Sky Community Services Offices, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 1, in Portsmouth, Sept. 11, in Deerfield, and Sept. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Exeter Area YMCA.

For more information, contact Audrey Gerkin directly at a.gerkin@oneskyservices.org or call One Sky Community Services at 603-436-6111.

Submitted by Billie Tooley