Concord, NH - The State Commission studying autism spectrum disorders is set to release its findings during a press conference, Tuesday, May 13 at 1:00 in the Legislative Office Building.

The Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders was established by the legislature in 2007 in response to the rapidly increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one in 150 children born today will be affected by an autism spectrum disorder, a neurologically based medical condition that impacts an individual's ability to communicate and interact socially.

Staff from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) served on the Commission. One of the recommendations in the Commission's final report is for the State to make significant improvements to its system of care for children and adults with autism-related disabilities or face billions of dollars in long term, largely preventable costs.

EVENT NH Commission on Autism to Release Report at Press Conference

DATE Tuesday May 13
1:00 PM

LOCATION Legislative Office Building
Concord, NH

This morning, Peter Bearse will be attending a breakfast meeting of the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund (NHCTF), for business leaders, on "Investing in Policies and Programs that Work for Children and Their Families" -- to build supportive programs and policies for families and children.

The lead presentation will be provided by Jack Levine, founder of 4Generations Institute in Tallahassee, FL. Part of this will be about the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Levine was quoted by the NH Sunday News as saying: "With nearly 70% of all children living in families with either two parents or a single parent working out of the home, special attention to this...reality is needed for the sake of family well-being."

Levine will also be speaking in support of NHCTF's "Action: Powering Prevention" program, which stresses the value of preventive actions when job and family commitments conflict -- "programs for children, parent leadership, grandparent activism and dignified services for elders."

PETER BEARSE, Ph.D., Independent Candidate for Congress, NH CD 1;
Released by Supporters of Peter Bearse for Congress, May 13, 2008

Manchester, N.H – The City of Manchester will soon begin a two-month Late Fee Forgiveness Program, designed to offer individuals with overdue parking tickets a reprieve from late fees and vehicle boots.

“We want to give people a chance to pay the parking tickets they’ve received without having to pay the late fees incurred or risk having their car booted due to languishing parking tickets,” said Brandy Stanley, parking manager for the City.

The Late Fee Forgiveness Program begins Thursday, May 15, 2008 and runs through Tuesday, July 15, 2008. All registered vehicle owners with outstanding tickets have been mailed notices about the program, during which all late fees will be waived and the City will not boot any vehicles. The program applies to parking tickets issued before May 1, 2008.

Customers may now pay parking tickets online using a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover credit card at www.ManchesterNH.gov/parking. The newly-launched free online payment system is convenient and easy to use.

Following the Late Fee Forgiveness Program, the penalties for unpaid parking tickets will return and in some cases, increase. After July 15, 2008, all late fees will be reinstated, the boot fee will jump from $50 to $100 and more resources will be devoted to locating and applying boots, including during overnights and the weekends. In addition, tickets more than 12 months old will be referred to collections and reported to credit bureaus. The City will also adhere to RSA 231:130-a, a law prohibiting registration of any vehicle that has outstanding parking tickets, and will send a list of those with unpaid tickets to local towns that have adopted the RSA.

“We strongly encourage people to take advantage of this program,” said Stanley. “Parkers with tickets or those who simply suspect they may have tickets should follow up and take advantage of the cost savings associated with late fee forgiveness.”

For more information about the program, call the Ordinance Violations Bureau at 603.624.6546 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces a change in District Office locations for Londonderry residents. Effective June 1, 2008 Salem District Office (DO) Family Service Specialists (FSS) and the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP) Team Members will begin processing all cases with a Londonderry address in Salem, instead of at the Manchester District Office.

For Londonderry residents served by DHHS this will mean a change in where you send your redetermination forms, report changes, send proof of changes, and go to or call when you need to talk about your case. You will also be assigned a new FSS. However, your benefits or eligibility for assistance will not change, and you will not need to fill out paperwork or get new cards for medical assistance, food stamps or cash assistance because of the new location.

The transfer of Londonderry from Manchester to Salem will help staff to better meet the needs of all DHHS clients by providing a more equitable distribution of resources. It will align caseloads at the Manchester DO with caseloads in the other DO's  throughout the State. Manchester has been serving about 40 - 50 more cases per worker than any other DO. This change will reduce Manchester's caseload to about 423 per worker, while increasing Salem's caseload to about 400 per worker. The change should cause minimal disruption to clients, as the distance from Londonderry to the Manchester or Salem offices is approximately the same, 13 miles.

Anyone with questions about these changes can call 1-800-852-3345 ext. 4238.

Concord, NH - The State Commission studying autism spectrum disorders is set to release its findings during a press conference, Tuesday, May 13 at 1:00 in the Legislative Office Building. The Commission on Autism Spectrum disorders was established by the legislature in 2007 in response to the rapidly increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one in 150 children born today will be affected by an autism spectrum disorder, a neurologically based medical condition that impacts an individual's ability to communicate and interact socially. Staff from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) served on the Commission.

One of the recommendations in the Commission's final report is for the State to make significant improvements to its system of care for children and adults with autism-related disabilities or face billions of dollars in long term, largely preventable costs.

EVENT   

NH Commission on Autism to Release Report at Press Conference

DATE   

Tuesday May 13
1:00 PM

LOCATION

Legislative Office Building
Concord, NH