Join the Area Agency Awareness Campaign!

Awareness brings fairness.

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People who don’t have a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability (such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy) or an acquired brain injury typically don’t understand how significantly it impacts lives. The stories of these families are sometimes heart-wrenching, and sometimes inspiring, but they’re always undeniably real.

You may or may not have this experience, but either way, as a legislator you’ll be asked to make critical decisions regarding support for these families during your time of service. They depend on your vote, and we’re here to help you make informed decisions.  

We know that it’s difficult to understand every issue that comes before you. Our staff, and the families we support, can provide valuable information regarding any pertinent issue that comes up during your time in office. We’re asking that you use us as the valuable resource that we are. 

Toward that end, we ask that you join the Area Agency Awareness Campaign, which asks for nothing more than your commitment to awareness and fairness when making decisions that affect our community. Here’s some info to help you understand the basics of what we do so you can feel confident in saying “yes” to joining our campaign. We’re happy to meet at any time to share more information.

What is an Area Agency?

The Moore Center is one of 10 Area Agencies in New Hampshire. Area Agencies are the organizations across the state who support New Hampshire’s most vulnerable community: those with intellectual disabilities. We serve over 1,500 families, providing a variety on community-based and in-home services.

Together, the statewide Area Agency nonprofit network supports thousands of families who are impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities. They’re part of every community, and in the NH state legislature, we are their advocates — especially when it comes to fighting for the funding and programs they need.  

Meet some of our families:

What’s the main issue we face?

The Area Agency system in New Hampshire went over 10 years without a Medicaid rate increase. In the last budget (passed in 2019) we received two annual 3% budget increases, the second of which will go into effect in January of 2021. As minimal as this increase is, we certainly can’t afford to have it rescinded if budget cuts are considered. 

The result of the funding deficiencies has left Area Agencies in a position where many families aren’t getting budgeted for all of the supports and services they need, and the Area Agencies are struggling to hire and retain employees because they can’t pay a competitive wage. While the two annual 3% budget increases were sincerely appreciated, going 10 years without a Medicaid rate increase has left an additional gap estimated at 23.5%. 

If you haven’t met with your local Area Agency, we strongly encourage you to do so. Here’s how to reach them:

Area Agency Contact List

 

For questions about The Moore Center or to arrange a meeting, please contact Barbara Didona via email or by phone at 603-206-2832.