Center of Hope celebrating 30 years

Center of Hope is celebrating 30 years of service to individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders and their families in Carroll County. In the early 1970s, Conway Regional Association for Retarded Citizens was providing programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities at locations in Conway, Chocorua and Ossipee. In 1973, two of these service programs Conway Regional Development Center and Workshop and Ossipee Development Center merged to form Center of Hope. Parents were also active in supporting 1975 legislation (RSA 171-A) calling for the creation of regional area agencies that would develop and administer services for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1982, Center of Hope was designated as the area agency for Carroll County (Region XI), one of 12 such agencies across the State. In the late 1970s, New Hampshire Association for Retarded Citizens, concerned with conditions at Laconia State School, brought a successful class action lawsuit in federal court. In addition to ordering reforms at the state school, the court ordered Division of Developmental Services to develop a statewide system of services for people with developmental disabilities. This task fell primarily to the 12 area agencies. Throughout the 1980s individuals left the state school and returned to their communities. On Jan. 31, 1992, Laconia State School closed its doors and New Hampshire became the first state in the country without a state-run institutional setting as part of its developmental services system.The changes at Center of Hope have mirrored the evolution of the New Hampshire developmental services system. Group homes and sheltered workshops dominated the service model in the 1970s and early 80s. By the late 1980s, a growing understanding of the importance of community led to the development of new models of support. Jobs in the community began to replace sheltered workshops. People left group home settings to live with families or in their own apartments. Some were able to acquire homes of their own. There was also growing attention to supporting families who were struggling to provide quality care at home to a child or an adult with a developmental disability. In 1989, following strong grass roots lobbying efforts by families, a family support bill was passed by the Legislature and signed into law. This law established volunteer family support councils in each region and designated funding to be allocated by these councils to meet family needs. In the early 90s the self-determination movement began in New Hampshire, resulting in increased opportunities for those served to be more active in the design and delivery of their own supports. Once again, New Hampshire was recognized as a national leader in the field of community based services for people with developmental disabilities.Today, Center of Hope works with individuals in a community setting, developing connections that enable them to discover and pursue personal interests. The last regional sheltered workshop closed years ago and those with vocational aspirations are assisted in finding employment with area businesses. At the present time, 36 individuals are successfully employed in a wide variety of community businesses.In 1993, the center opened a combination craft studio and retail outlet in Reporters Court in North Conway. Loom-N-Essence featured woven goods of all description. Later, the business expanded to include pottery and other art and craft offerings and changed its name to Essence of Art to reflect its expanded perspective. In 1997, the business moved to its present location at 10 Seavey St. in North Conway. Customers can meet many of the artisans as they work at their looms or in the clay studio. Other individuals contribute to their community through active volunteerism. A regional self-advocacy group, The Dream Team, was formed in 1992 to champion the rights of others. Services and support are available to residents of Carroll County of all ages with a developmental disability or an acquired brain disorder. An Early Supports and Services Program works with children from birth to 3 years old, providing educational, therapeutic and social opportunities. Early Supports and Services are provided by Children Unlimited in Conway for northern Carroll County and by Center of Hope staff and consultants for southern Carroll County. An extensive Family Support Program recognizes the challenges families face in raising a child with a developmental disability and the importance of supporting the whole family. Supports include financial assistance, respite and a wide range of advocacy. Last year, more than 250 families were served in Carroll County. Core funding for this work is provided through Division of Developmental Services. Additional funding is requested annually from individual towns in which service is provided. Last year, Center of Hope was designated as the Carroll County site for the statewide Partners in Health Program operating through Hood Center at Dartmouth Medical School. Partners in Health of Carroll County provides support to families with a child with a chronic health condition.Service coordination is available to ensure that community resources are engaged as needed, there is no duplication of effort and the expectations of each individual served are met within the limits of available resources. Residential supports include supplementing the on-going efforts of families as well as placement in a private home under contract with the center. The center operates several homes of its own and, in addition, supports a number of individuals living in their own apartments. The dedication and skill of both center employees and subcontract home care providers are key to meeting the individual needs of each person served. A volunteer board of directors representing towns throughout Carroll County provide governance for the Center of Hope/Area Agency Region XI. Regular board meetings are open to the public. This summer, Executive Director Peter Blue retired after 20 years. He is succeeded by Margie Matthews, formerly the associate executive director, who has been at the agency for 17 years. As the center looks to the future, there are challenges to be faced. These include adequate Legislative funding for New Hampshire Division of Health and Human Services in general and for the developmental service system in particular. There is also the challenge of a rapidly growing list of individuals waiting for services due to the lack of new Legislative funding. At present there are nearly 500 people waiting for services across the state.