New England Consortium of Deafblind Projects

There are several organizations available for parents and families of children who are deafblind in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Deafblind Project
Regional Office | 175 North Beacon Street | Watertown, MA 02472
Tracy Evans Luiselli, Project Director
617-972-7354 Fax | 617-972-7517 | Tracy.Luiselli@perkins.org

ATECH Services
Kathy Thonis, Project Co-Director
57 Regional Drive, Suite 7 | Concord, NH 03301
(603) 226-2900 | 603.226.2907 (fax)
kathyt@atechservices.com

ATECH Services at 57 Regional Drive Suite #7 in Concord, NH is a non-profit statewide organization, whose mission is to maximize abilities at home, school, work or play, for individuals affected by disabilities or the aging process, through the provision of assistive technology, education, or community health services. Since 1991 ATECH Services has assisted over 20,000 New Hampshire residents affected by disabilities or the aging process in achieving their goals at home, school, work, or play through the provision of assistive technology.

MICE Program (birth to age three)
Janet Halley, Director
| P.O. Box 2274 | Concord, NH 03302
1(603) 228-1028 | Fax 1(603)228-3400 |1(603) 228-5755
miceprogram@juno.com

M.I.C.E. (Multi-sensory Intervention through Consultation and Education ) is a statewide program providing educational and developmental services to sensory impaired infants, ages birth to three years. The purpose of this program is to identify infants at risk for, or diagnosed with, a vision or hearing loss and to provide early intervention services. Blindness and deafness do not occur as frequently as other disabilities. Therefore, M.I.C.E. Program services are specifically designed to assist families and community agency personnel in learning how to care for and work with the unique abilities and needs of each child with vision and hearing loss.

The MICE Program provides services to over 200 infants and their families per year in all parts of New Hampshire. Services are provided at the child’s home or daycare and frequency of services vary depending on need and severity of the vision or hearing loss. This service is funded through a grant from Health and Human Services-Division of Developmental Services and is part of the statewide Early Supports and Services system. We work extensively with local Early Supports and Services staff to provide the expertise regarding the needs of infants and toddlers with vision or hearing loss.

Jan Halley, Director- is an Occupational Therapist with 28 years of experience working with infants and toddlers with vision and hearing loss. She specializes in child development, the impact of a vision or hearing loss on development and communication, and comprehensive communication approaches for young children with complex needs. Jan has had extensive training in types of visual impairments, hearing loss and amplification, specialized teaching techniques, and promoting compensatory skills. She works directly with infants who are blind and visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, and deafblind and is also responsible for overall program development and management.

Maggie Leary, Administrative Assistant- Maggie has been with the MICE Program for 6 years as the Administrative Assistant and office manager. She is responsible for taking referrals and intake information, database management and data collection, mailings, statistics, and budget/bookkeeping. Maggie provides secretarial support to staff, assists with conference planning and set-up, and keeps the office running smoothly. She is often the first contact that families and professionals have when they contact the MICE Program office.

Parent Information Center on Special Education - NH’s federally funded Parent Training. The Parent Information Center (PIC) and its various grant programs address a variety of key issues in order to help parents support their children’s success in school and in life. These issues are described in the panels below, which include links to the various programs, and to their services and resources.

Family Centered Early Support Services Part C Agency (Birth - age 3)
Bureau of Developmental Services
Department of health and Human Services
105 Pleasant Street | Concord, NH 03301
603-271-5122 | 603-281-5166 Fax | 800-852-3345 x5122
cstiles@dhhs.state.nh.us
http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dcbcs/bds/index.htm

Department of Education
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street | Concord, NH 03301-3860
Main Number: (603) 271-3494| Fax (603) 271-1953 | TDD Relay NH: 711
General e-mail: ltemple@ed.state.nh.us
http://www.education.nh.gov/index.htm

The NHDOE is committed to helping students, parents, and educators (including teachers, principals, superintendents, and school communities) meet the educational needs of each student. This site provides a wealth of data and information about the NHDOE's programs, services, and initiatives at the fingertips of every citizen.

Department of Education - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Provider
21 S Fruit Street, Suite 20 Concord NH 03301-9686
603.271.3806 603.271.7095
Sharon DeAngelis
sdeangelis@ed.state.nh.us

NH Connections
Funded by the NH Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education
A Project of the Parent Information Center
151A Manchester St. | PO Box 2405 | Concord, NH 03302-2405
(603) 224-7005 | (800) 947-7005 | Info@nhspecialed.org

Provides technical assistance, workshops, and resources to enhance school/school district strategies of parent involvement in special education.

SSECT (Supporting Successful Early Childhood Transitions)
P.O. Box 2405 | Concord, NH 03302-2405
603.224.7005 V/TDD | 800.947.7005 (N.H. only) | 603.224.4365 Fax

Michelle Lewis, SSECT Project Director
(800) 947-7005 | (603) 224-7005
mlewis@picnh.org

SSECT provides education and support for Family Centered Early Supports and Services (ESS) providers, school district personnel, parents and others to ensure the transition process from ESS to preschool special education and/or other community resources is a positive experience for all and is consistent with state and federal guidelines. In 2010, SSECT was funded to also provide support to school districts around Child Find for toddlers and preschool aged children.

NH Family Voices
129 Pleasant Street | Thayer Bldg | Concord, NH 03301
800.852.3345 x4525 in NH 603.271.4525
nhfv@yahoo.com
Co-Directors: Terry Ohlson-Martin 603.271.8180
Martha-Jean Madison 603.271.4653
NH Family Voices operates a "Family To Family Health and Education Center" with one to one phone assistance, educational materials, a Lending Library and quarterly newsletter. NH Family Voice participates in several projects, each with a specific focus on different ways we can help families to become informed, experienced, self-sufficient advocates for their children and themselves. There is no charge for the services we provide. We are funded by state and federal grants, as well as donations from community partners and supporters.

Advocacy Agencies

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.

AFC (Advocates for Families of Children with Disabilities).
603-224-7005 | 1-800-947-7005 Provides consultations and technical assistance. Sometimes parents need a greater level of assistance than can be provided over the phone or through a workshop to understanding their child’s IEP and make sure it addresses all their child’s educational needs. The Advocates for Families of Children with Disabilities (AFC) program can provide this assistance.

Prevention Makes Cents
PO Box 2405 | Concord, NH 03302
603.224.7005 x. 121 | 800.947.7005 x. 121 (NH)
www.preventionmakescents.org
Lori Fowler, Director lfowler@preventionmakescents.org
Maura McGowan, Coordinator mmcgowan@preventionmakescents.org

Helps prevent and reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through school-based prevention education and parent support programming.

Educational Law Resource Center
PO Box 549 | Warner, NH 03278
888.474.3137

The Education Law Resource Center provides information to help parents, educators and other professionals understand legal requirements and meet student needs. This site contains information and resources about a variety of education law topics including physical restraints in schools, special education, and No Child Left Behind.

KASA - Kids As Self Advocates - (785) 273-3398

Disabilities Rights Center
18 Low Avenue | Concord, NH 03301-4971
603.228.0432 | 800.834.1721 V/TTY | 603-225-2077 Fax
advocacy@drcnh.org

National Family Association for Deafblind (NFADB)
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
800.255.0411 | 516.883.9060 Fax
NFADB@aol.com
http://www.nfadb.org/contacttxt.html

NFADB is a national network of families who focus on issues surrounding deafblindness. NFADB advocates for all persons who are deafblind, supports national policy to benefit people who are deafblind and encourages the founding and strengthening of family organizations in each state.

New England INDEX
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center
John Rochford, Director of Technology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
200 Trapelo Road | Waltham, MA 02452-6319
781-642-0255 | 781-642-0122 Fax | 800-764-0200 TTY
techinfo@neindex.org
http://www.neindex.org/contactus.html

A project of the University of Massachusetts Medical School at the Shriver Center - UMASS. INDEX is a free information and referral service for people with disabilities. INDEX is a collection of the largest, the most complete and the most up-to-date databases of disability services in Massachusetts. INDEX is the coordinator of the Massachusetts Network of Information Providers (MNIP), a collections of disability agencies that coordinate information and referral efforts. Information available includes a resource database of programs and agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities and Consultant Registry, Physician Registry and a Dental Registry. Visit the web site for more information. www.disability info.org call 800-642-0249 or 781-642-0248 or email them at: info@disabilityinfo.org

NICHCY
1825 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009
1.800.695.0285 Toll-free, Voice/TTY | 202.884.8200 Voice/TTY | 202.884.8441 Fax
nichcy@fhi360.org
Website in English: nichcy.org
Website in Spanish: nichcy.org/espanol/

The center provides information to the nation on: disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22). Anyone can use our services—families, educators, administrators, journalists, students.

Special Child: This online publication provides educational resources and support to parents and caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities. You can read and share stories with other parents and providers, as well as locate useful resources and products. Special Child is provided by The Resource Foundation for Children with Challenges (RFCC), a nonprofit charity organization.

ALLIANCE National Parent Technical Assistance Center (NPTAC)
PACER Center
8161 Normandale Blvd | Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
952.838.9000 | National Toll Free 888.248.0822 | TTY 952.838.0190| Fax 952.838.0199
alliance@taalliance.org
http://www.parentcenternetwork.org/national/resources.html

e-ADVISOR Coordinating Center
Children's Hospital Boston
Department of Ophthalmology | Fegan Building, 4th Floor | 300 Longwood Ave | Boston MA, 02115

e-ADVISOR website is to Assist the Development of Visually Impaired Students through Online Resources. Parent Link, Teacher Link, Doctor Link Effective communication among parents, teachers and doctors is the major goal of the ADVISOR project.

Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care
6917 Arlington Road | Suite 309 | Bethesda, MD 20814
301.652.0281 | 301.652.0186 Fax |
institute@ipfcc.org
http://www.ipfcc.org/about/pinsponsor.html

The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, a non-profit organization founded in 1992, takes pride in providing essential leadership to advance the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care. By promoting collaborative, empowering relationships among patients, families, and health care professionals, the Institute facilitates patient- and family-centered change in all settings where individuals and families receive care and support.

YEAH" Youth Educating Adults on Healthcare Advisory Counci l
129 Pleasant Street | Thayer Bldg | Concord, NH 03301
603.271.4525
yeahcouncil@yahoo.com

Their work to educate other youth on how to handle your transition to adulthood, as well as educating the medical professionals about what they can do to facilitate the transition.

NH Acadaemy of Family Physicians
7 North State Street | Concord, NH 03301
603.224.1909 | 603.226-2432 Fax
catrina.watson@nhms.org
http://www.nhafp.org/transition.html

was established in 1949, is a non-profit organization committed to quality community health. Membership of the NHAFP includes family physicians, residents and medical students.

www.naminh.org
www.hhs.org
www.cdc.org
http://medicalhomeforall.com

Hearing Direct
The Estate Office | Old Stockbridge Road | Sutton Scotney | Hampshire SO21 3JW
outside UK + (00) 44 1962 761317
web@hearingdirect.com
http://www.hearingdirect.com/

Provide aids for the deaf covering a range of hearing disabilities. We also offer useful information on the site. Joan the Audiologist a registered (Health professions Council) is actively writing a blog about deafness and hearing loss at www.hearingdirect.com/blog/

Help Finding Work

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Department of Education | 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20 | Concord, NH 03301
800-581-6881 Toll free | 603-271-3537 | 603-271-3471 Voice/TTY | 603-271-3816 Fax
http://www.visionaware.org/new_hampshire_department_of_education_
services_for_the_blind_and_visually_impaired

provides those services necessary to help people with visual loss to enter, re-enter, or maintain employment. Most services are provided without charge to the referred individual as the Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Program is supported by State and Federal tax dollars.

NH Works
603.228.9500
http://www.nhworks.org/
Information center for job seekers and employers. Lists current job openings, NH economic and labor market information, education and training programs.

STAR - Steps Toward Adult Responsibility
12 Flynn St. | Lebanon, NH 03766
603.448.6310
starprogram@earthlink.net
http://www.starprogram.net/

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)
Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota
6 Pattee Hall | 150 Pillsbury Drive SE | Minneapolis MN 55455
ncset@umn.edu
612-624-2097 | 612-624-9344 Fax

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures. NCSET is headquartered at the Institute on Community Integration in the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development

Social Security/Ticket To Work
800.772.1213

The Ticket to Work Program provides most people receiving Social Security benefits (beneficiaries) more choices for receiving employment services. Under this program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues tickets to eligible beneficiaries who, in turn, may choose to assign those tickets to an Employment Network (EN) of their choice to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services necessary to achieve a vocational (work) goal. The EN, if they accept the ticket, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment.