tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55653325797023926422011-07-08T04:35:17.902-07:00Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.comBlogger141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-1172309042770630922011-05-25T14:24:00.001-07:002011-05-25T15:30:25.631-07:00

During a meeting this afternoon with all ten area agency Directors, Matthew Ertas, Bureau Chief for Developmental Services, announced the bureau decision to suspend earlier plans to send notices to individuals and families that their services would be reduced due to spending reductions in the NH House passed state budget. These initial plans were to mail written notices by June 1 to over 450

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-33188812285990689202011-04-19T08:22:00.000-07:002011-04-20T05:54:27.927-07:00

Dear Friends and Families,I am writing to inform you that preparations are now underway at the Department of Health & Human Services to issue notices to approximately 5,750 individuals statewide that their services will be terminated as of July 1st. In the Region 4 central NH area the number will be approximately 500. We expect these notices to go out in about 21 days from now. The reason why

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-13006058258337735482011-03-17T15:35:00.000-07:002011-03-17T15:42:06.441-07:00

In 1991 New Hampshire became the first state in the nation to close down its institution system in favor of a community-based approach. Never again would we exile our citizens to segregated settings based on perceived differences and marginalize them from the rights of citizenship that can only be experienced in community life. Only eleven other states have followed suit and the remainder wish

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-5112299559806664832010-07-15T11:57:00.000-07:002010-07-15T12:01:53.656-07:00

Twenty years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. It has and continues to be the Nation’s most comprehensive civil rights statute, reflecting a decision by Congress to address a commonly unrecognized form of discrimination that many Americans face daily - discrimination based on one's actual or perceived physical or mental impairments. The need to enact

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-43525778204158952672009-09-29T12:58:00.000-07:002009-09-29T12:59:00.278-07:00

If your teeth need care, you get braces or a filling. If your leg needs mending, you get a cast. A doctor tends to you a few times in the office, x-raying, diagnosing, and prescribing if you are sick. But what if you needed more help? Someone to help you navigate not only the medical world, but the social one? Maybe you need assistance over the long-term to have a full life in the community.

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-90996405035160197792009-08-26T14:45:00.000-07:002009-08-26T14:55:46.339-07:00

When I was young I remember learning of the importance of "the voice". It's a very distinct memory for me. My family received an annual gift subscription to National Geographic as a gift from my Uncle. There was one issue that had a black vinyl insert that you were expected to tear out, punch the hole in the middle, and place on the turntable. As a child of nine my imagination was captured by the

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-79771615419145129172009-07-01T15:57:00.000-07:002011-04-20T11:52:51.068-07:00

It's always a pleasure to announce new opportunities for Community Bridges and changes in assignment that represent an expansion of our influence in the broader community. Today I can tell you about some revisions in our operations that advance our Self-Directed Services team and another that will strengthen our broader influence on Public Policy in New Hampshire.Beginning on July 1 Sarah Aiken

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-3420655830698866752009-07-01T15:00:00.000-07:002009-07-02T07:00:07.326-07:00

There are distinct moments in the history of a human service system that serve as milestones where the hard work of many impassioned, dedicated people is finally realized. The first for our system was the extraordinary session of the NH Legislature in the summer of 1901 where there was testimony, deliberation and an eventual decision to commit State funds to the creation of a program in Laconia

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-20618355427263948232009-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:002009-07-01T10:52:52.560-07:00

We learned this week that the NH Senate and House have both passed the compromise budget for the next two fiscal years. This new budget that begins on July 1 provides Community Bridges and the programs we support with level funding for basic operations. It also provides most, but not all of the funds needed for those new people who require support this year and next, and will make it more

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-24729067981778332412009-03-11T10:14:00.001-07:002009-03-11T10:14:03.225-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Legislative Testimony TrainingView more presentations from Gerstenberger.

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-24098963680149080492009-03-10T09:53:00.001-07:002009-03-10T09:53:33.965-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Overview of Budget ChallengeView more presentations from Gerstenberger.

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-80818250951378914032009-03-10T09:52:00.001-07:002009-03-10T09:52:38.198-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Introduction to Community Bridges for LegislatorsView more presentations from Gerstenberger.

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-78583734135131070942009-03-05T12:42:00.001-08:002009-03-05T13:03:27.977-08:00

During a joint session of the Board of Directors and the Family Support Council this past Tuesday staff from the Bureau of Developmental Services formally presented the findings of their review process. During a three-month period last summer this team conducted record reviews, surveys and public forums to determine the effectiveness of Community Bridges along a series of eight outcome measures.

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565332579702392642.post-59868896376952828322009-03-03T12:55:00.000-08:002009-03-03T19:04:57.675-08:00

Our agency is in the process of developing our operating budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2009. As you know, our primary contract for services is with the Department of Health & Human Services through the Bureau of Developmental Services. The State of New Hampshire is facing serious revenue problems that are expected to create challenges to the Governor and Legislature over the

Roy Gerstenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08640327055813360130noreply@blogger.com0