Developmental Services Abuse and Neglect Systems Review Committee
The Systems Review Committee of the New Hampshire Developmental Services Quality Council will convene a series of meetings to review the system designed to protect individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries from abuse and neglect. These meetings are being held in response to recent reports by the NH Bulletin
regarding abuse and deaths within the system.
Meetings will be held at
NH Commission for Human Rights, 57 Regional Drive, Suite 8
Concord, NH 03301.
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Remote access will be available.
Meeting Link: Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/2912498426?omn=98079309122
Meeting ID: 291 249 8426
(Topics and speakers are TENTATIVE; Meeting Dates are CONFIRMED.)
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Friday, January 23, 2026
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Overview of the BDS System
Invited Speaker:
Jessica Gorton, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Developmental Services
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Thursday, February 26, 2026
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Area Agency and Service Coordinator Responsibilities
Invited Speakers:
Marissa Berg, Community Support Network
Mary Anne Wisell, Director, Area Agency
TruGranite, Carla Womble & Billy Jo Kimber, Independent Service Coordination Agency
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Thursday, March 26, 2026
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Private Provider Responsibilities
Invited Speakers:
Michelle Donovan, President, Private Provider Network
TBD, Responsibilities of Nurses and Doctors
Other Provider Representatives
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Thursday, April 23, 2026
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Certification of Enhanced Family Care Homes, Adult Protective Services, Legal Requirements to Report Abuse, Abuse Registry
Invited Speakers:
Peter Bacon, Director, Office of Licensing and Certification
Michael (Mike) Springman, Director, Adult Protective Services
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Thursday, May 28, 2026
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Complaints and Sentinel Event Investigations
Invited Speakers:
TBD, Complaint Investigator/Director, Office of Client and Legal Services (OCLS)
TBD, Clinical Administrator on the Sentinel Event Review Process
TBD, DHHS Office of the Ombudsman
And
Adult Protective Services, Legal Requirements to Report Abuse, Abuse Registry
Invited Speakers:
Michael (Mike) Springman, Director, Adult Protective Services
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Thursday, June 25, 2026
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Criminal Prosecution
Invited Speakers:
TBD, Police Officer
TBD, County Prosecutor
John Formella, Attorney General
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Thursday, July 23, 2026
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Role of the Public Guardian and Recommendations
Invited Speaker:
Lisabritt Solesky, Director, Office of Public Guardian
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Thursday, August 27, 2026 (tentative)
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Final Report and Recommendations
The committee will finalize the report and recommendations to be considered at the August 2026 or September 2026 Quality Council meeting.
Questions for Speakers
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What is your role in protecting people with developmental disabilities from abuse and neglect?
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What are the barriers to keeping people in the BDS system safe? What are any barriers reporting and acting on complaints of abuse or neglect?
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In your view, what are the gaps in the system? How could the system be improved?
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What is your responsibility to make sure people with disabilities and families understand their rights? How do you make sure all interested parties know what to do if they observe abuse or neglect?
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In your view, who is ultimately responsible for making sure the BDS system keeps people safe? Do they face any barriers that have not been discussed?
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Are there gaps/areas for improvement in NH laws and rules to address these issues?
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Time for public comments will be limited.
The Systems Review committee welcomes comments in writing.
Submit comments to nhcasdqc@gmail.com.
Comments submitted to the NH Developmental Services Quality Council
are public records.
Please be cautious about sharing confidential information.
To request accommodation,
please email nhcasdqc@gmail.com at least 7 days in advance of the meeting.
Attempts will be made to accommodate late requests.
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