Measure Would Reduce Wait Times
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion
Daily Express
November 29, 2006
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE--In 1991, the
state of New Hampshire promised to provide community-based supports for people
with developmental disabilities when it closed its last institution, the
Laconia State School.
Since then, however, the waiting list for those in-home and
community-based services has grown and the time of the wait has fluctuated. One
state official told the Concord Monitor that the average wait was 425 days in
September 2005. The current average time on the waiting list is 190 days.
On Monday, lawmakers, community advocates, and Health and Human Services
Commissioner John Stephen endorsed a measure that would provide an additional
$16 million over the next two years for community services for adults with
developmental disabilities. If approved, the money would shorten the waiting
list to just 90 days by June 2009.
"We've made a commitment that people shouldn't be in institutional
settings. But that does mean that community-based supports are essential," said
Amy Messer, an attorney for the Disabilities Rights Center, the state's
federally mandated protection and advocacy system.
Related:
"Plan may reduce wait for services" (Concord
Monitor)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/1129h.htm
"Shortening
wait for young disabled adults is backed" (Union Leader)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/1129j.htm
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