spring 2012
Survey Publishes Fourth Year of Mental Health Data
Bookstore Spotlight
A new research report from the IOD,
commissioned by the New Hampshire Bureau
of Behavioral Health, documents some of the
strengths of NH’s community mental health
service system and identifies multiple critical
issues that need to be addressed in order to
ensure timely access to high-quality care.
The report, “New Hampshire Public Mental
Health Consumer Survey Project, Summary of
Findings 2012,” provides the fourth year of data
based on consumer ratings of NH’s 10 regional
community mental health centers (CMHCs).
Navigating College:
A Handbook on
Self Advocacy
Written for Autistic
Students from
Autistic Adults
The Autistic Self
Advocacy Network
This handbook
is a first-of-itskind resource
written by autistic
adults for autistic college students
exploring the various aspects of the
higher education experience. From
traditional topics like classroom
accommodations and dorm life to
hot-button issues such as disclosure
and sexuality, Navigating College
provides first-person insights from
current and past college students on
the autism spectrum. Available for
$15 at www.iodbookstore.com.
The random survey of adults, youth, and
family members of consumers of the state’s
CMHCs assessed general satisfaction levels
with services, access to services, participation in
treatment, quality of treatment received, cultural
sensitivity, and treatment outcomes. Results
from the survey highlight both positive areas of
effective supports as well as areas of concern:
month or more for an
appointment with a
psychiatrist or nurse
practitioner.
• One in three adults
with substance use
concerns did not agree
that substance use
issues were addressed
in their treatment plans, that
they received treatment from their CMHC,
or that staff offered them referrals.
• Only two-thirds of consumers felt they were
active participants in their quarterly reviews.
• Families reported significant positive change
across the state regarding child outcomes.
“The ongoing financial challenges of the mental
health system raise important questions about
the long-term impact on consumers’ abilities
to access high quality care and maintain a
successful recovery,” said Peter Antal, IOD
researcher and author of the report. “As our
State continues to grapple with tightening
mental health care budgets and reduced
capacities, we can’t lose sight of the fact that the
long term costs of some of these changes may
be higher than any short term savings.”
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Mailing List
• Close to one half of new consumers in
the past year reported that they waited a
To download a copy of the report, visit
www.iod.unh.edu/pmhs.
The IOD produces a variety of
publications, including Vision &
Voice, which communicate the ways
we are connected to individuals and
activities in New Hampshire and
across the country. If you would
like to be added to our mailing
list, e-mail contact.iod@unh.edu
or call 603.862.4320.
Habib Releases Second Film
• Despite repeated CMHC budget cuts,
general satisfaction and quality of services
ratings have remained fairly high.
IOD Filmmaker in Residence Dan Habib has
been hard at work since he made Including
Samuel, the Emmy-nominated documentary
about his son who experiences cerebral palsy.
“As I traveled around doing screenings of
Including Samuel,” said Habib, “one question
kept coming up: ‘What about students with
complex emotional and behavioral challenges?
Can they be fully included in schools?’”
What’s Inside
Who Cares About Kelsey?, Habib’s second
film, follows Kelsey Carroll, a student with one
goal: to graduate from high school. But there
are plenty of reasons why she shouldn’t. She
attends a school with one of the highest dropout
rates in NH and has dealt with homelessness,
self-mutilation, abuse, and ADHD. As a
freshman, she earned zero academic credits and
got suspended
for dealing drugs.
Who Cares About
Kelsey? is the
story of Kelsey’s
transformation
from a defiant
and disruptive
“problem student”
to a motivated
and self-confident
young woman.
Leadership Series Holds Annual Reunion . . . . . 2
ABLE NH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Did You Know?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
IOD Partners on Annual DCYF Conference. . . .4
RENEW: Re-Engaging At-Risk Youth . . . . . . . . . . 4
Along the
way, critical
figures in her
personal and
educational
life shape
her coming
of age
and play
Film subjects JoAn
ne Malloy,
important
Kathy Francoeur,
Ke
lsey Carroll,
roles in an
and filmmaker D
an Habib at
education
the 2012 Krumm
Lecture
revolution
that’s about empowering—not overpowering—
students with emotional/behavioral disabilities.
The film already gained significant attention in
April thanks to the Building a System of Care
conference, a statewide leadership summit
to support student behavioral health, and a
screening at UNH for the annual Janet Krumm
Disability & Media Lecture Series.
Who Cares About Kelsey? will officially
premiere in NH on Sunday, May 20 at Red
River Theatres in Concord with a reception and
post-film Q&A, and it will run through Saturday,
May 26 with a daily evening screening.
For more information on the film
and educational DVD release, visit
whocaresaboutkelsey.com.
800315
10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824
Institute
on
Disability
/ UCED
ABLE NH
New Hampshire has always been
on the leading edge of disability
rights advocacy, but now, thanks to
Advocates Building Lasting Equality
in New Hampshire (ABLE NH), more
NH residents can get involved locally
and work together to raise awareness
and educate public policymakers about
the supports families need to fully
participate in the community.
ABLE NH advocates for the civil and
human rights of all children and adults
with disabilities and promotes full
participation by improving systems
of supports, connecting families,
inspiring communities, and influencing
public policy. When originally formed,
the group included members from
the UNH Institute on Disability, the
Disabilities Rights Center, the NH
Council on Developmental Disabilities,
the Parent Information Center, NH
Family Voices, NH Area Agencies,
People First of NH, direct support
providers, parents, and self-advocates.
Local chapters have been established
in Concord, Jaffrey-Rindge, Keene,
Peterborough, Littleton, Manchester,
and the NH seacoast area.
For more information on ABLE NH
or to get involved in a local chapter,
visit www.ablenh.org.
2
Did You Know?
The Annual Disability Statistics
Compendium won the 2012
Knowledge Translation Activity
award from NARRTC in recognition
of its contribution toward knowledge
translation research and practice for
benefit of the disability community.
The Annual Disability Statistics
Compendium, a publication of
the StatsRRTC, contains statistics
on people with disabilities and
government programs that serve
individuals with disabilities. Each year,
the Compendium is made to compile,
sort, organize, and present disabilityrelated statistics published over the
year, all in one, easy to access, userfriendly publication. New statistics are
added each year, as new data sources
and publications become available.
The StatsRRTC is a collaborative
effort of the IOD, Hunter College, and
the American Association of People
with Disabilities. For more statistics
on people with disabilities in New
Hampshire and other states, visit
www.DisabilityCompendium.org.
Feedback
Have a comment, suggestion, or
story idea? We value your input.
E-mail contact.iod@unh.edu or
call 603.862.4320 to let us know
how we’re doing and how we can
better serve you.
Share the IOD with a friend:
Please let friends or colleagues
know about us. Pass us along!
Leadership Series Holds Annual Reunion
On April 13, 2012, the NH Leadership Series
held its annual reunion gala and fundraiser,
marking the end of its 24th year. Guests enjoyed
a lively evening at The Ashworth by the Sea in
Hampton, NH, filled with camaraderie, food,
inspirational stories, recognition, and plenty of
ways to contribute to the future success of the
Series.
As part of the evening’s activities, graduates
Emily James (’09) of Wolfeboro, Jennifer
McIntosh (’08) of Keene, and Ken Garry (’08)
of Middleton shared their own personal stories
about what they’ve been able to accomplish
since attending the Leadership Series. “Not
everyone is cut out for running for the
legislature to affect change, so we wanted to
give people an idea of the types of things they
can do individually to make a difference,” said
Beth Dixon, Leadership Series coordinator.
In a special presentation, Cathy Spinney (’07)
was honored with the Brianna Dillon Leadership
Medal, an annual award presented to an
individual who has shown creative leadership in
and a commitment to the full participation of all
people in the political and cultural life of New
Hampshire. Cathy encouraged every grad, new
and veteran, to get to work. “There is much for
us to do. Our strength is we will do it together,”
said Spinney.
The NH Leadership Series, which first began
in 1988 as three two-day sessions, is now held
monthly from September through April every
year. It provides parents and self-advocates
2012 NH Leaders
hip Series Class
with information and strategies to effectively
impact local and state organizations on issues
related to individuals with disabilities. To date,
more than 800 people have graduated from the
Series. These leaders advocate with service
providers, use the legislative process to achieve
change, and organize communities to support
inclusion. Graduates have gone on to become
state legislators, school and community board
members, filmmakers, agency heads, and many
other leaders and incubators of positive change
in disability policy and practice. When asked
about their entrance into the world of leadership
positions, many graduates point to the NH
Leadership Series as a pivotal experience in
their lives.
For more information on the New Hampshire
Leadership Series and to nominate someone
for participation, visit www.nhleadership.org.
Highlighting IOD Donors
Leadership Reunion and Fundraiser Recap
Hampton, New Hampshire served as the
backdrop for the annual New Hampshire
Leadership Reunion Gala and Fundraiser
held April 13, 2012. Graduates both past and
present gathered at The Ashworth by the Sea to
celebrate one another and the work being done
in the name of equality.
“We have so many people to thank for making
this year’s event a success,” said Beth Dixon,
Series coordinator. “All the people and agencies
who donated items, volunteered their time from
the IOD, and our new grads for stepping up and
being a huge part of the weekend’s events.”
The final fundraising tally has not been
announced, but early reports indicate around
$9,000 was garnered through registration and
by bidders at the “not-so-silent” auction. This
year’s auction had over 75 items and was the
result of donations from current and past classes,
small groups, Area Agencies, and individuals.
Funds raised will support attendance for future
Leadership Series participants.
“We especially want to thank the Finlay
Foundation,” said Dixon. “On the Thursday
afternoon before the reunion, Leadership
received a letter from the Finlay Foundation
stating they will again support us with a
matching gift of up to $5,000.”
Support for Who Cares About Kelsey?
The IOD has received a $15,000 grant from
The Fledgling Fund in support of Dan Habib’s
new film project Who Cares About Kelsey? This
grant will support editing and related postproduction of mini-films on evidence-based
practices fostering positive outcomes for youth
from diverse backgrounds.
The Fledgling Fund seeks to improve the
lives of vulnerable individuals, families, and
communities by supporting innovative media
projects targeting entrenched social problems.
Films which are selected for support from
The Fledgling Fund highlight the complexity
of these social problems and offer solutions
through strategic outreach and audience
engagement campaigns.
With major support from the Endowment
for Health, the New Hampshire Charitable
Foundation, and the New Hampshire
Department of Education, Dan Habib, film
subject Kelsey Carroll, and RENEW project
staff are engaging New Hampshire families,
schools, community organizations, and youth
through statewide film screening events and
discussions.
“Our funders are enabling us to screen,
discuss, and disseminate the film all over
New Hampshire,” said Habib. “These
grants demonstrate a belief in the power
of documentary film to increase advocacy,
promote evidenced-based practices, foster broad
collaboration, and engage families and youth as
leaders in directing change.”
To learn more about making a tax-deductible
gift to the IOD, please contact:
Mary Schuh, Ph.D. – Associate Director of
Consumer Affairs and Development
Institute on Disability / UCED
56 Old Suncook Road, Suite 2
Concord, NH 03301
603.228.2084 | mary.schuh@unh.edu
or visit www.iod.unh.edu for easy and secure
online donation.
Early Language and Literacy
Development Webinar Series
Designed to help early childhood
educators, paraprofessionals, related
services providers, and parents of
young children understand language
development and how it relates to
literacy and later school success.
Dates and Topics:
May 16, 2012 – Building Language:
Developing Young Children’s
Vocabulary
May 23, 2012 – Building Literacy Skills:
Exploring Letters, Sounds, and Words
May 30, 2012 – Building Literacy
Knowledge: Using Storybooks and
Journaling to Develop Understanding
about Reading, Writing, and
Communication
Time: 7pm – 9pm EDT
Cost: $59 each
Presenter: Leigh Rohde, Ph.D.
Can’t Read, Lost My Place, and Lost My
Book
Learn the characteristics and
educational needs of children with
learning disabilities, attention disorders,
and executive function issues, as
well as implications, strategies,
and interventions for teaching and
accommodating students K through 12.
Date & Location: May 17, 2012 –
IOD Professional Development Center,
Concord, NH
Time: 9am–3pm
Cost: $115
Presenter: Jonas Taub, MA
iPad Learning Series
Will address the basics of operating an
iPad as well as how to teach with an
iPad, manage iPads in a school, and
use apps for specific disabilities and
activities.
Remaining Sessions:
May 18, 2012 – It’s All Free!
Time: 9am – 3pm | Cost: $115
Presenter: Dan Herlihy
May 21, 2012 – iPad Training for
Rehabilitation Professionals
Time: 9am – 1pm | Cost: $79
Presenter: Nicole Finch, M.S.
Location: IOD Professional Development
Center, Concord, NH
14th Annual
au tism sum m er i n sti tu te
Express Yourself: Supporting Communication through the
Arts, Advocacy, and Education
Self-expression is the key to people with autism
communicating, learning, achieving their dreams, and
having a rich and rewarding life. Presented by the National
Center on Inclusive Education at the UNH Institute on
Disability and the Institute on Communication and Inclusion
at Syracuse University in collaboration with the Autistic Self
Advocacy Network. Keynote presenters include Judy Endow,
International Consultant and Author; Christy Ashby, Research
Director, Institute on Communication and Inclusion, Syracuse
University; Michael McSheehan, Clinical Assistant Professor,
Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of New
Hampshire; Julia Bascom, Autistic Self Advocacy Network;
and Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher from the film
“Wretches and Jabberers.”
Dates: August 6-8, 2012
Time: 8am – 4pm, plus evening activities
Location: Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH
Phone: 1.800.321.2211 | grapponeconferencecenter.com
Registration Fees:
• Professional: $399
• Students/Parents/Self-Advocates: $349
• Single Day Registration: $150
All registration fees include continental breakfast, materials
on a USB flash drive, parking, Wi-Fi, and evening activities.
Boxed lunches are available daily for $10 each.
Methods, Models & Tools for Facilitated
Person-Centered Planning
An intensive five-day course designed
to help develop the competencies
needed to facilitate consumer and
family-directed career, education and
life planning.
Dates & Location:
May 24, 25, 31 & June 1 and 4, 2012 –
University of New Hampshire, New
Hampshire Hall & Browne Center,
Durham, NH
Time: 9am–4pm
Cost: $650
Presenters: Patty Cotton, M.Ed. & Pam
McPhee, MSW
*$50 per person discounts available for
groups of three (3) or more.
*UNH course credit available; register
through the UNH Registrar’s Office
(603.862.1500). Course Name: KIN
798/898.08 – Person-Centered Planning
Seventh Annual APEX
Summer Leadership Institute
Multi-tiered Systems of Support: Teamwork, Leadership, and
Data-Based Decision-Making to Prepare Every Student for
Career and Adult Life
The APEX Summer Leadership Institute is designed for middle
and high school teams to build their skills and knowledge
in implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and
Supports (PBIS) in order to improve their school culture and
climate, improve student engagement, and produce higher
graduation rates for all students. Keynote presenters include
Lucille Eber, Ed.D., Hank Bohanon, Ph.D., Howard Muscott,
Ed.D., JoAnne Malloy, Ph.D., MSW, and Dan Habib.
Dates: August 15-16, 2012
Time: Wednesday: 8am – 5pm, 6pm dinner
Thursday: 8am – 1:15pm
Location: Attitash Grand Summit Hotel & Conference Center
Bartlett, NH | Phone: 603.374.1900 | attitash.com
Registration Fees:
• Early Bird Conference Rate: $275*
*Available through June 1, 2012
• Regular Conference Rate: $299
• Dinner on 8/17: $35 (additional)
Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch on 8/15 and
8/16. Does not include accommodations—all conference
participants please call Attitash for reservations. Hotel
rooms have been blocked and are available through July 15,
2012, or until filled.
For more information and to register, visit www.iod.unh.edu or call 603.228.2084
3
IOD Leadership
Charles E. Drum, MPA, JD, Ph.D. – Director
Linda Bimbo, MS – Deputy Director
Susan Fox, M.Ed., MA – Clinical Assistant
Professor
Matthew Gianino, BA – Associate Director,
Communications & Technology
Andrew Houtenville, Ph.D. – Research Director
Mary C. Schuh, Ph.D. – Associate Director,
Consumer Affairs & Development
Executive Committee
Carol Stamatakis – Executive Director
New Hampshire Developmental
Disabilities Council
www.nhddc.org
Matthew Ertas – Bureau Chief
Bureau of Developmental Services
New Hampshire Department of Health
and Human Services
www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/BDS
Neil B. Vroman, Ph.D. – Interim Dean
College of Health and Human Services
University of New Hampshire
www.chhs.unh.edu
Santina Thibedeau – State Director of
Special Education
New Hampshire Department of Education
www.ed.state.nh.us
Richard Cohen, JD – Executive Director
Disabilities Rights Center
www.drcnh.org
UCED Partners
Tom Bunnell, JD – Director
Institute for Health, Law and Ethics
Franklin Pierce Law Center
www.fplc.edu
John Moeschler, MD – Program Director
Dartmouth Center for Genetics and Child
Development
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
www.dhmc.org
4
Consumer Advisory Council
Robin Carlson – Laconia, NH
Gina Colantuoni – Bow, NH
Jeff Dickenson – Concord, NH
Bonnie Dunham – Concord, NH
Nathan Gams – Hampton, NH
Sandy Hicks – Manchester, NH
Beth Hillsgrove – Dover, NH
Amy Howe – Hopkinton, NH
Cabrinni Kulish – Loudon, NH
Dan Louney – Bedford, NH
Kirsten Murphy – Hanover, NH
Julie Noel – Concord, NH
Mary Schuh – Concord, NH
Chrissy Shaffer – Litchfield, NH
Julie Smith – Durham, NH
Jim Tobin – Effingham, NH
Pat Vincent-Piet – Concord, NH
Kathryn Wallenstein – Concord, NH
Marian West – Concord, NH
Support the IOD!
As a community oriented nonprofit focused on ensuring that
equal opportunities and a
satisfying quality of life are
accessible to all persons, we
rely on the generosity of
supporters like you to help
further the mission of the IOD. If
you would like to contribute to
the IOD, tax-deductible
donations can be made:
Online
www.iod.unh.edu
Mail
56 Old Suncook Road, Suite 2
Concord, NH 03301
Phone
603.228.2084
An IOD staff member will assist
you with the process and
answer any questions you may
have about your contribution.
IOD Partners on Annual DCYF Conference
Three years ago when Linda Bimbo was
serving as the IOD’s Interim Director, as part
of her duties, she attended regular Executive
Committee meetings within the College of
Health and Human Services at UNH.
At one of those meetings, she learned about a
proposal to establish the Center for Professional
Excellence in Child Welfare (CPE) at UNH
from Jerry Marx, then chair of the Department
of Social Work. This new organization would be
responsible for planning and executing quality
professional development for New Hampshire’s
child welfare and juvenile justice workers,
including two annual conferences. Seeing
those conferences as an opportunity to provide
expertise in event coordination as well as an
opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration
within the College, Linda suggested that UNH
include the IOD in its proposal.
In July 2009, the New Hampshire Division for
Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) awarded
their contract to UNH. Since then, the IOD
has partnered with CPE and DCYF to plan
and coordinate the annual DCYF conference,
an event which annually draws over 400
participants.
IOD event staff are involved in meetings from
the start of annual conference planning, serving
as coordinators and advisors around overall
event budgeting, print collateral design and
production, online registration for all attendees
including numerous exhibitors, and logistics on
the day of the conference.
DCYF Conferenc
e Committee
at the 2012 DCYF
conference
“The success of the DCYF Annual Conference
would not be possible without the guidance and
support from the IOD,” said Christie Davis,
CPE Program Director. “We have maintained
very close working relationships with the IOD
staff, which has served to not only streamline
planning and bolster the educational value of
the conference, but has also extended into other
areas of our programming.”
More recently, the IOD Bookstore has served as
the main outlet for recommended publications
related to conference workshops. Additionally,
IOD staff members with content expertise
related to child welfare and juvenile justice have
offered breakout sessions at the conference.
For more information on CPE and the annual
DCYF conference, visit www.unh.edu/cpe.
RENEW: Re-Engaging At-Risk Youth
In September 2011, a student attending one
NH high school was seriously considering
dropping out. He was failing every subject,
and the likelihood of graduating with his class
was looking increasingly bleak. He lacked
motivation, failing to complete any homework.
He was often tardy, and he frequently slept in
class. “I stopped caring about everything that
had to do with my future,” he said.
His story could have ended here, but a team
of dedicated faculty and mentors intervened,
helping him to turn a seemingly hopeless
situation into a promising one.
At the recommendation of his case manager, the
student began RENEW, or Rehabilitation for
Empowerment, Natural supports, Education, and
Work. RENEW is a structured and facilitated
planning and support process which puts the
young person at the center and brings together
school staff, family members, and individuals
from the community to support the youth to
overcome struggles in school, at home, and
in the community. RENEW teams work with
students to develop tailored school-to-career
plans, thereby re-engaging students in school
and putting them on track for graduation.
For this local student, after only three months
in RENEW, he was attending school regularly,
completing assignments, and passing with A’s
and B’s in five out of seven classes. He even
joined some extracurricular activities.
Currently, his goals include graduating with his
class in June, obtaining his driver’s license, and
finding a job. He also plans to attend college
this fall and major in computer science. “I can
handle the day a lot better,” he says. “I’m being
more social, I’m more positive, I’m sleeping
better, and enjoying life.”
“RENEW has given [this student’s] life
direction and purpose,” said one of the student’s
RENEW team members. “If it wasn’t for
RENEW, [he] would be in danger of dropping
out right now, and [he] wouldn’t have positive
and caring adult role models in his life. Role
models are desperately needed for students like
[him] to succeed in and out of school.”
This young man’s success story is one of the
many that can be attributed to the RENEW
process. Developed in 1996 by staff at the
IOD and Keene State College, RENEW is a
practice with strong positive outcomes for youth
with emotional and behavioral challenges,
including high rates of high school completion,
employment, and post-secondary education.
Since its inception, RENEW services have been
provided by a non-profit organization, high
school staff members, and community mental
health centers. To date, over 275 youth have
been served by RENEW in NH.
For more information on RENEW, visit
www.iod.unh.edu/renew.
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