New Hampshire HB 1582: free tuition at colleges and universities for children of veterans who are totally and permanently disabled (2019)
“This bill:
I. Establishes a tuition waver at any institution in the university system or community college system of New Hampshire for a child of a totally and permanently disabled veteran…
III. Requires the commissioner of the department of employment security to publish a monthly workforce needs assessment report for veterans.
IV. Requires the adjutant general to take steps to increase veterans’ awareness of the military skills test waiver program; increase acceptance of military training and experience towards the licensing requirements in certain occupations and professions; and establish an end veterans homelessness program.
V. Requires the university system and community college system of New Hampshire to award college credit for military training courses completed and to increase flexibility in application and course registration procedures for veterans.
New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities
“The purpose of State Councils is to ’engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that are consistent with the purpose of the DD Act and; contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, consumer and family-directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.’”
New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) Five Year Plan (2016-2021), Executive Summary
Goal 2. Quality of Life: Individuals with developmental disabilities living in New Hampshire will have greater opportunities for inclusion through meaningful competitive employment, friendships and relationships, recreation and choice of social activities, increased choice with housing options, and increased transportation options.
Objective 1. Increased opportunities and awareness for vocational training, competitive employment, expanded work hours and increased career options by:
(1) improving vocational programs, policies and practices through support of promising local or statewide initiatives and
(2) advocating for positive work activities
Objective 2. The Council, in collaboration with disability, aging and other organizations, will support the development or improvement of a minimum of 12 community-based programs, policies or practices that promote inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life including:
(1) inclusive emergency preparedness and management,
(2) social integration, meaningful relationships and acceptance of differences
(3) and transportation, housing and infrastructure.
Objective 3. The NH Council on Developmental Disabilities will collaborate and support local and statewide initiatives that offer choice for the education and support of individuals and their families regarding relationship building and retention of those relationships. Including but not limited to friendships, relationships and family dynamics
Institute on Disability/UCEDD – University of New Hampshire
“Trains students, self-advocates, families and professionals through coursework, seminars, workshops and conferences; Provides technical assistance to organizations and individuals to improve their capacity to include all citizens. Disseminates information to families, consumers, community members and professionals via books, monographs, articles, videos, newsletters, the internet and newspapers and consumer forums; engages in collaborative activities and
joint projects with organizations that share common goals.
NH Granite State Employment Project 5 Year Strategic Plan (2008-2012)
The mission of the Granite State Employment Project is to improve employment opportunities for New Hampshire citizens with disabilities so that they may fully participate in and better contribute to their communities.
The vision of the Granite State Employment Project is that:
There is a statewide infrastructure -including well trained staff- that provides high quality employment supports to individuals with disabilities;
New Hampshire’s business community is a key partner in creating and improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and meeting the State’s workforce needs;
Schools offer effective secondary transition services that result in employment or post-secondary education that leads to employment for students with disabilities;
Policies, rules and reimbursement regarding employment services are in accord with employment best practices and desired outcomes
Goal #1: Create working partnerships between businesses and employment service providers -at both a local and state level- so that individuals with disabilities have access to and retain the jobs that they want.
Goal #2: Increase school and community capacity to effectively prepare and support students with disabilities for entrance and mobility in the workforce
Goal #3: Develop and use a variety of resources to ensure that employment service provider agency staff are well oriented and trained to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve better employment outcomes, including increasing the number of individuals with jobs
Goal #4: Develop and employ a sustainable data system to track employment outcomes; to facilitate decision-making, policy development, and management of resources; and to improve quality of services.
Goal #5: Remove policy, regulation and payment related barriers to creating successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities
New Hampshire Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Five Year Plan (2008-2012)
•MIG funds were used during 2002 and 2003 to provide the 13 New Hampshire Employment Security One-Stops with equipment and resource materials (e.g., screen readers, audio “how to” tapes) to make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities. In addition, training was provided to the staff of One-Stops regarding use of the purchased equipment and resource materials. This initiative with the One-Stops also included staff trainings on disability awareness issues and creation of a resource guide called “Disability Etiquette.”
•MIG was instrumental in the development of towo tool kits. The first, a ready-to work toolkit is a curriculum on personal futures planning, resume writing, self-directed job searching techniques, employment interviewing skills, and negotiating workplace culture, politics, and related skills. It’s currently being used by the independent living center’s 6 peer groups. The second, an employer tool kit, was developed to provide information and guidance to employers regarding reasonable workplace accommodations, tax credits, where to get technical assistance, the ticket-to-work program, and the values and benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
New Hampshire SAMHSA Employment Development Initiative (EDI) – 2011
‘In an effort to assist State Mental Health Authorities, in close collaboration with Single State Authorities, in planning and implementing activities to foster increased employment opportunities for people with mental health and/or substance use disorders, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) created the Employment Development Initiative (EDI)”.
The Mission of the NH Employment Community of Practice is to promote economic independence and high quality competitive employment opportunities for people withdisabilities through information sharing and the development and dissemination of best practices among all community partners.
Employment Position Statement For New Hampshire’s Regional Service System
We believe that employment, with its powerful and irreplaceable opportunities for autonomy, earned income, self-esteem development, social contacts, structured
activity and life satisfaction, is an import ant ingredient of a fulfilling and valued life for adults in our society. We also recognize that the capacity of adults with any type or degree of developmental disability or acquired brain disorder to participate in employment, in the right setting and with the proper supports, has been amply demonstrated.
