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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.

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.)

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

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

Thursday, March 26, 2026

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Private Provider Responsibilities

Invited Speakers:

Michelle Donovan,  NH State Director Living Innovations®, a service of Mosaic

Rob Gillis, Executive Director Monadnock Worksource

Renu Basur, Executive Director Siddharth Services

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:

Michael Springman, Director, Adult Protective Services

Greg Martin, Adult Protective Services Legal Counsel

Wendi Aultman, BAAS Bureau Chief

Doreen Shockley, Manager, Bureau of Licensing and Certification, NH Department of Health and Human Services 

Jay Kurinskas, Compliance Officer, Health Facilities Administration, Community Residence Unit

Kelly Keefe, Unit Chief, Health Facilities Administration, Bureau of Licensing and Certification​

Thursday, May 28, 2026

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Parent Panel​

Thursday, June 25, 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

Jennifer Jones, Chief Ombudsman and Civil Rights Officer, Office of Ombudsman, NH Department of Health and Human Services

And

Adult Protective Services, Legal Requirements to Report Abuse, Abuse Registry

Invited Speakers:

Michael (Mike) Springman, Director, Adult Protective Services

Greg Martin, Adult Protective Services Legal Counsel 

Thursday, July 23, 2026

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Role of the Public Guardian and Recommendations

Anne F. Zinkin, Esq. Office of Public Guardian

Teresa Gustavson, Vice-President of Guardianship Services

Criminal Prosecution

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Invited Speakers:

TBD, Police Officer

TBD, County Prosecutor

John Formella, Attorney General

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

  1. What is your role in protecting people with developmental disabilities from abuse and neglect?

  2. 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?

  3. In your view, what are the gaps in the system? How could the system be improved?

  4. 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?

  5. 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?

  6. Are there gaps/areas for improvement in NH laws and rules to address these issues?

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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