LRCS in the News
Family Update Newsletter
Family Update is a bi-monthly publication of the Region III Family Support Council targeted to families receiving services from Lakes Region Community Services. The newsletter includes useful information about the area agency, legislative updates and resources available in the community.
News on Medicaid Managed Care
Medicaid Managed Care Update
In October, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced that the “go live” date for Step 1 of Medicaid Managed Care, which was scheduled for Jan. 1, 2013, will be delayed. At least two of the three Managed Care Organizations that have contracted to provide services must demonstrate that they have developed adequate provider networks to provide medical and mental health services to all Medicaid recipients statewide. Then the adequacy of those networks needs to be reviewed and approved by DHHS and reviewed by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Step 1 of Medicaid Managed Care includes medical/acute care and mental health services. Step 2, which includes the long-term care services provided by the Area Agencies is scheduled to be implemented one year from the implementation Step 1.
On Nov. 7. The following letter was sent to all Medicaid recipients from DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas.
Dear Medicaid Recipient:
You may have heard, New Hampshire Medicaid is making changes to the Medicaid program. It is adding a Care Management Program. This program coordinates your health care to meet your needs and involves you in decision-making. Your current Medicaid benefits will not change and you will still be part of New Hampshire Medicaid.
We are writing to you today to inform you that the start of the new Care Management Program will be later than we had planned. You do not need to do anything today. We are only writing to inform you of the delay.
We will be sending you information on how to make the most of the Care Management Program, as well as how to enroll when the time comes. We will also have public meetings that you may attend to ask questions or learn more about the Care Management Program and what it means to you. We will be announcing the schedule of those meetings soon.
If you have questions about this letter, you may call Medicaid Client Services at 1-800-852-3345, ext. 4344 or 603-271-4344 or submit them at nhmedicaidcaremanagement@dhhs.state.nh.us. Information regarding Care Management is available on the DHHS website: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov.
Thank you for your patience as we continue moving forward to making Medicaid work better for you.
Sincerely,
Nicholas A. Toumpas
Commissioner
For more information:
- Watch your mailbox for notices from DHHS
- Check out the Care Management page on the NH DHHS Web site: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov (go to Quick Links on right of page and click on Care Management)
- Visit the Community Support Network, Inc.’s Web site: http://www.csni.org and click on Medicaid Managed Care.
- Contact Family to Family Coordinator & Legislative Liaison Karen McDowell, 581-1544, karenmc@lrcs.org.
Community Support Network, Inc. (CSNI) is a not-for-profit organization that works in support of the 10 Area Agencies throughout the state of New Hampshire that provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury and their families. CSNI has launched a new page on its Web site where families can go for current news and information on NH’s Medicaid Managed Care initiative.
http://www.csni.org/ManagedCare/ManagedCare.htm
DHHS has a Care Management Web page where all pertinent documents relative to Care Management/Medicaid Managed Care are posted.
WMUR 5-13-12 edition of NH Close-Up on Medicaid Managed Care
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Helpful supporting documents:
- NH's Managed Care Strategy for People with Developmental Disabilities and Acquired Brain Disorders
- Medicaid Managed Care, an introduction by Deb Fournier, Esq., Policy Analyst
- Medicaid Managed Care, an overview by Christine Santaniello, LRCS Executive Director
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Lakes Region Community Services is featured on NHPR Giving Matters:
Lakes Region Community Services Draws Up Blueprints For Families Coping With Autism. Click here for an audio link.
NH Developmental Services Employment Report - Winter 2012 Edition - Click here
Tax Credits: A Nonprofit's Experience , by LRCS Executive Director, Christine Santaniello in New Hampshire Business Review
LRCS Annual Report for FY'12 - Click here
Governor Maggie Hassan Visits LRCS Offices
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Graduates of Lakes Region Community Services’ first STRIDE program food service internship proudly displayed the certificates they received at a dinner held in their honor recently. From left to right are STRIDE program coordinator Shelly Shamberger, Haley, James, Ann, Chris Mongeon of Sodexo, Inc., Jeremiah and LRCS employment specialist Josh Furbish. Click here to read a full write-up of the Stride graduation as it appeared in the Plymouth Record Enterprise.
The first Stride internship session began on Sept. 10th. Sodexo, Plymouth State University and Lakes Region Community Services are offering the food service internship program to individuals over the age of 18 who receive services from LRCS. Click here to read more about Stride:
http://www.lrcs.org/newsletter/Family_Update.pdf
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Leadership Profile, NONPROFIT FOCUS - Fall 2011
Leadership:Ever-changing, Intense & Rewarding
An interview with one of NH's dynamic Nonprofit Leaders, Christine Santaniello
The opportunity to be part of an effort which results in real, positive change for individuals and families at the community level is what keeps Christine Santaniello inspired to come into work every day to lead a nonprofit which serves thousands of families and employs more than 350 staff.
"Working in a leadership role for a nonprofit provides you with an ... Read full article
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"The New Hampshire Challenge,"
disability issues from a family perspective
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Exciting Educational Opportunity! Lakes Region Community College, in partnership wi th the University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability, is pleased to announce the addition of a certificate program in Developmental Disabilities free of charge for the student. Click here for more details
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Newsletter Article re: NCI Interviews
QUALITY OF SERVICES. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?
Back in 2007 the NH Legislature passed Senate Bill 138 to address a number of critical issues for the area agency system, such as the wait list funding, workforce development, and quality improvement. This bill created a committee -with membership from the regional Family Support Councils, area agency Boards of Directors and a variety of advocacy organizations- to make recommendations to enhance the infrastructure of the service system. The SB 138 Committee issued two comprehensive reports which can be found on the NH Department of Health and Human Services website (www.dhhs.state.nh.us). The efforts of the SB 138 Committee ultimately resulted in the creation of a statewide Quality Council and the decision to join the National Core Indicators Project (NCI), which will enable us to compare the quality of NH's area agency services to other states around the country.
A key component of the NCI is hearing how You feel about the supports you receive. Last Spring you received a survey in the mail asking what you thought of various aspects of the system. We are pleased to report that over 1300 of you responded and that information will be included in the National Core Indicators Report next year.
Equally important to this process are face to face interviews which are conducted with 400 randomly selected individuals for more in depth information. These interviews are conducted by staff members of the NH Bureau of Developmental Services and this information is included in the NCI analysis of quality in our state. As always, the information provided is confidential unless you choose to have it shared with your local area agency.
We understand that people have busy lives and know that it can be challenging to respond to one more request for information, but it really is what allows us to improve the supports we offer. If you are one of those chosen to participate in an interview, please take the time to tell us how you are feeling.
It really is the New Hampshire way- and it will make a difference!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mary St Jacques by email or phone: 524-8811 ext. 159 at Lakes Region Community Services.
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"A year of tremendous progress for Christian at the Autism Center."
"Shared Family Living Arrangement provides a family life
for individuals with disabilities."
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has the chance to lead a fully inclusive life.
LRCS Career Opportunities
Check out available career opportunities within LRCS. You'll love the benefits and the satisfaction of helping others in your community!