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ME Alerts

02/12/13

Growth is happening in Maine! Last month, LifeShare Maine received several new referrals for Residential Placements. Maine's Waterville office recently hosted CPR/First Aid Training, as well as Mandt training. We are pleased to report that several providers attended these trainings. Another huge success for Maine was that they hosted it's first- ever Human Rights Committee meeting. These meeting will now be conducted on a quarterly basis. As a way to increase services offered in the state, State director Jerri-Lynn and her team are beginning the process of searching for another addition to our team as a part-time Case Manager. This position will eventually lead into Regional Director assisting with the oversight of current programs.

01/15/13

Growth is what is going on in Maine! They have started the year with five new Residential Placements. Currently the state has 21 residential placements and four community support programs! Jeri-Lynn and her team are hard at work putting the finishing touches on Maine’s Case Management Application.

Trainings offered by Maine during the month include: CPR/First Aid and Mandt. If you are interested in finding out more information about training, please contact Jeri-Lynn at j.chambers@lifeshareinc.org

11/16/12

Maine hosted its first Provider Appreciation Event on October 25. More than 35 people attended the event, including individuals, providers and LifeShare staff. During the event, Jerri-Lynn Chambers, state director, and Meg Brown, program compliance director, received the 2012 Presidential Awards for their commitment, dedication and unprecedented growth within their state of Maine.

Maine’s most recent Performance and Quality Improvement Meeting shined a spotlight on the state for its 100% satisfaction rate based on surveys sent to individuals, guardians, support coordinators and providers. In addition, Jerri-Lynn and Meg have developed 10 new residential programs. This is an unprecedented rate of growth for the state. Stay tuned for our newest service, Targeted Case Management, rolling out later spring 2013!

09/26/12

Maine is continuing to grow with Shared Living programs.!

We are finalizing our Case Management Application for license and will hopefully be providing Community Case Management services by November 2012!

Maine will also welcome our new Regional Coordinator to the team on Oct 1,2012 .

TRAINING ALERT: Maine will be holding a Mandt training for anyone interested on October 17^th and 18^th in the Waterville office. Please contact the office if you are interested.

05/23/12

Maine is moving forward with development in regards to Treatment Foster Care.

We have received several inquires for both Adult Residential and Foster Care , showing us that LIfeShare and our services offered are becoming increasingly known to others in Maine.

We would like to congratulate Jeri-Lynn Chambers as she has accepted the position as State Director of Maine Services.

04/02/12

We are pleases to announce that Meg Brown has accepted a full-time position as a Program Quality Coordinator for Maine and Florida Services. This means that she will now be supporting the Florida team as well as Maine.

This is a great addition as Maine will consistently have Meg in the office. Now that Meg is full time this will also add more accessibility to all the individuals we support.

LifeShare Maine continues to work hard spreading the word about LifeShare values and promoting our services. We have many potential providers awaiting individuals to share their homes. Maine welcomes a new Shared Living Program today!

We are in preparation to schedule Mandt training to those in need toward the end of April should the trainers schedule allow.

02/10/12

LifeShare Maine Continues to Grow!

LifeShare Maine celebrates placing two new individuals in loving homes through our Shared Living Program. Thank you to all our Home Care Providers who complete are Team; without you, such relationships could not happen.

We are also excited to announce that we have also begun training and awareness for our new innovated, virtual site visits. We look forward to eventually start scheduling these visits on a bi-monthly basis.

11/04/11

LifeShare is proud to announce that Jeri-Lynn Chambers has been promoted to the position of Associate Director overseeing our Maine programs. As Jeri-Lynn transistions into her new role with LifeShare we say good bye to Bobbi Jo St. Peter. We thank Boobi Jo for her community service and we wish her all the best in the future.

09/02/11

WE ARE IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the GARDINER & AUGUSTA AREA

We are seeking families or an individual(s), in Gardiner, Augusta, Farmingdale and Dresden ares, who are interested in opening their home and providing residential support services to an adult who has a developmental disability.

If interested please refer back to our opening page on our website- www.lifeshareinc.org and click on BECOME A HOME CARE PROVIDER/FOSTER CARE PROVIDER.

08/19/11

WE ARE IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

We are seeking families or an individual(s), in the Cumberland and York Counties, who are interested in opening their home and providing residential support services to an adult who has a developmental disability.

If interested please refer back to our opening page on our website- www.lifeshareinc.org and click on BECOME A HOME CARE PROVIDER/FOSTER CARE PROVIDER.

05/18/10

Child Services are now available in Maine!

For more information contact Kathy Chouinard at 603-625-8825.

NH Alerts

02/12/13

Region 7

We will be looking ahead to our Valentine’s Day party which could possibly take place at Boynton’s Taproom! The skills classes are in full swing and there will be several great topics coming up. We have just begun a Therapeutic Arts Program and are working with a small pilot group to get the program up and running. This new program is off to a great start! The current participants are enjoying it and other individuals are looking to get in on the next class. We have gotten involved in a couple new activities to include modified yoga classes in Concord and being Peace Greeters in Portsmouth to welcome home the troops.

Region 8

Region 8’s Dawn Stanwood, has begun organizing the Second Annual Region Art Show set to take place during the month of April. The art show will consist of photography and use of multiple media’s including: paint, golf balls, tooth brushes, string, to name a few. Dawn will be teaching photography to our individuals to include using her Nikon camera with them to take some amazing pictures. One of our LifeCoaches, Amy Donovan, will be teaching our individuals about the different types of art supplies and how to use them.

Region 8 will continue to participate at the Greenleaf Center on Mondays; bowling in Raymond on Wednesdays; TJ Wheeler Music, indoor soccer and the Soup Kitchen at St. Joes in Portsmouth on Thursdays; and at the UNH Track in Durham and Zumba in Exeter on Fridays. On the final Monday of February, we will be celebrating all of our February birthdays with a big cake and party at the Greenleaf Center.

As a team, R8 is also working towards having one of our individuals’ watercolor paintings be featured at a local café in Portsmouth, NH. We have confirmation that the owner of the shop would LOVE to help us out and have his artwork on display for the community to view and appreciate!

Region 10

The week of January 22^nd brought the start of a new day program to the Hampstead office. The individual seems to be settling in very well and was excited to meet some new people as well as run into some folks he already knew. February promises to be a short, but busy month for Region 10. The highly anticipated Valentine’s Day party will take place on Feb. 12 at the Atkinson Community Center where our very own DJ Nate Sizzle will be spinning records for those on the dance floor.

Our Regional Director, Heather Stice, is coordinating with a guest speaker to present information on bullying to the adult and child services staff, team members and individuals. This is an effort to educate staff and those we support in the area of bullying. There will be several opportunities over the next few weeks for us to discuss progress on individual and team goals as well as look ahead to new challenges!

Child Services

Child Services has restructured again and is now functioning as a much stronger, cohesive unit! Our ISO Foster Care is looking to grow by bringing in and licensing new foster care providers throughout the state of NH in order to support more children and families. Our case managers and consultants are working hand-in-hand to support our foster families and provide continuous support to children and youth and their biological families. Adult and Children’s departments have been working together for the first time and we have already seen huge benefits. We are growing and making new connections with funding sources throughout the state.

Our Therapeutic Day Treatment Program is looking to expand their therapeutic groups and bring in new and exciting guest speakers. The most recent guest speaker was Detective Richard Brown, the prosecutor in Manchester, NH who has a unique connection with the youth we support in our Program. It was a very valuable experience for the youth to learn they can have and achieve goals.

01/14/13

January is going to be a very busy month for LifeShare New Hampshire day programs! Region 7 has been working to expand our connections with other area agencies. We’re starting two new programs with Region 4, and looking to start a new program with Regionone in the coming months. We’re also working on a pilot program for Therapeutic Arts, teaming up with Mike Wynne from Adolescent Day Treatment. The first session is set to start in January, and we’re really excited to roll it out!”

Region 8 also has new, exciting activities coming up as well. In January, Region 8 is going to be working on their photography skills. The groups’ focus will be to capture nature in the winter months, especially all of the snow. The photographs that we develop will be showcased in Region 8’s second annual art show in April.On Mondays at the Greenleaf Recreation Center, our group is working on get-well cards for the residents of local hospitals. We will drop them off at the welcome desks to be given to residents who don’t regularly have visitors. We will also continue our local volunteering opportunities through Meals on Wheels at Waldron Towers in Dover, NH and also at St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Portsmouth, NH.

January will be a very busy time for the Hampstead Day Program too. We have a new program starting within the next few weeks. We are also preparing for the transition of a part time program from the Londonderry High School to a full time day program. Those attending day program continue to be actively involved in volunteering throughout the community at sites such as: Plaistow Meals on Wheels, Derry Salvation Army, Chester Recreation Center, Pelham Fire Department, Bedford Animal Shelter, and area libraries. We are also in the process of seeking a potter that could make themselves available to conduct a weekly pottery class here at the co-op.

12/03/12

LifeShare N.H. has been working to align all of their services in order to help improve the quality of services provided, as well as consistency. In doing so, we are pleased to announce some changes in the state.

All N.H. services (child and adult) have been merged under Mike Chavez, State Director. Mike has done an INCREDIBLE job providing leadership to our adult services team this past year. We have no doubt that he will do the same with our child services department in conjunction with our dynamic program director, Courtney Summers.

Listed below are some exciting changes for our NH Child Services Team.

Pat Stavolone was promoted to Senior Director of Operations. Pat has done anamazing job supporting N.H. Child Services. She will work closely with Jennifer Cordaro, Vice President of Operations in order tocontinue streamlining processes and ensuring consistency and quality among all our services agency-wide. We are very excited for Pat to take on her new role.

Nicole Chambers has been promoted to Project Manager. Nicole will be responsible for assisting both departments with recruitment, licensure and placement coordination as well as supporting Mike in day-to-day operations.

Scott Marquis has been promoted to Day Treatment Program Manager. He will continue to lead LifeShare N.H.’s day treatment program and develop services throughout the state.

Mike Wynn has accepted the Lead Adolescent Counselor role where he will continue to assist Scott in developing the day treatment program in Manchester. Mike will also work closely with to integrate our therapeutic arts program into LifeShare’s adult services program.

McKenzie Ferguson was promoted the Lead Clinical Case Manager. In this position she will help develop our foster care program statewide.

Bourne Spooner was promoted the Lead Clinical Case Manager position where he will focus on developing our independent living program statewide.

Rhianna Berrigan has been promoted the Lead Parent Aide position and will continue to build this program statewide as well.

11/16/12

Region 7: We just had our Halloween Party, which was a huge success, as usual! Everyone enjoyed dressing up. We had a wonderful DJ playing music, so there was a lot of dancing! Group Sports on Wednesdays just ended, and we're gearing up for our weekly Skills Classes on Tuesdays at the South Main Street Church. Cooking classes continue on each Thursday at South Main Street Church, as well. Everyone is busy with the change in seasons, as our two main volunteer locations have lots of yard work to be done! At Camp Allen, people work on yard work, laundry, and light maintenance through the winter and spring, until camp season starts again! At the Unitarian Church, groups help with recycling, yard work, and light cleaning, and we have a new keeper of the keys! Previously, the church was only willing to let staff take the keys to unlock each room, but one gentleman in our program has shown that he is responsible and really takes the job seriously, so he carries the key and unlocks the doors for the rest of the group.We are working on a Thanksgiving Luncheon, which we have done in the past. Everyone enjoys having a chance to celebrate the things we are thankful for in our lives. Our Holiday Party is planned for December 14 at the Hooksett Library.

Region 8 just had our Halloween Party that was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy! Even though we moved it into November, everyone’s Halloween spirit carried through and we had a great time! We are looking into finding more community space to start a monthly Art Class. In the upcoming months, we are planning to do some volunteering with the elderly and start up the Christmas Caroling / Chorus again. We have a party planned for Thanksgiving around what we are most thankful for! Everyone plans to come with one thing that they are truly grateful for.Region 8 is still volunteering in our community in specific locations; Meals on Wheels, the Soup Kitchen, Second Generations (Store in Hampton) and the Salvation Army.

We continue to partake in fun activities such as TJ Wheeler music class located at the Bethany church and Zumba every Friday!

Region 10 is having our belated Halloween party on Friday November9th. This party was originally planned for October 30^th. Due to the storm and program being closed our staff pulled together to reschedule the party instead of just cancel. The staff in Region 10 felt that the individuals should not miss out on this party especially since some of our guys were bringing things in and spent time preparing for the party. The party is being held at 10:00am at the Chester Recreational Center. Staff and individuals are decorating the space and setting up tables and chairs to prepare for the party on Thursday November 8^th. A lot of time and effort has been put into securing the Halloween party. Everyone in Region 10 pulled together and they are making it happen. Our guys in Region 10 are very excited and look forward to celebrating.

07/25/12

LifeShare's Adolescent Day Treatment, Therapeutic Integrative Arts Program

LifeShare is introducing a Therapeutic Integrative Arts Program to compliment the Adolescent Day Treatment Program. The Therapeutic Integrative Arts workshops and group activities will be housed in a designated studio art space in The Varick Mill building on 21 W. Auburn Street across from The Verizon Center in downtown Manchester. Using the arts as a modality for therapy, LifeShare's Day Treatment Program will be conducting a series of workshops incorporating the Visual Arts (drawing, painting and sculpture), Dance (modern and hip hop), Song Writing and Storytelling along with a series of other Integrative Arts activities to help adolescents and adults process their experience of personal challenges and as a result, understand themselves more fully and learn to make positive and healthy life decisions.

07/16/12

Summer Fun - New Hampshire Adult Services

Our Manchester area day program kicked off summer with a summer picnic at Crystal Lake Park in Manchester on 6/20/12. All groups were in attendance and everyone seemed to have a great time. We had lots of food and everyone went swimming in the lake. We are doing yoga/ meditation classes at Livingston Park two days a week throughout the summer. This is a class that everyone seems to enjoy. We are also doing group sports every Wednesday at either Livingston Park or Lally Field. The sports played are usually either bocce ball, wiffle ball, basketball or kickball. We have also identified a new volunteer site that is open to all of our groups. It is call "Grow A Row" located in Goffstown. This is a garden that grows fruits and vegetables for those in need. Volunteers will assist with watering, weeding, picking and delivering food to local food pantries. What a great start to the summer!

Our Hampstead area day program has developed a very popular weekly cooking class held at the Atkinson Community Center. There we have access to a full kitchen as well as to an open room for staff and individuals we support to congregate together and enjoy the food they made. Each cooking class teaches basic skills of how to prepare and cook different simple to moderately simple dishes. Each week a different group is in charge of coming up with a dish to make. That group then purchases the needed ingredients prior to the class. Everyone participates by cutting, chopping, mixing, measuring, and stirring. Each class has a main dish, a drink, desert, and depending on the main dish a side as well. Recent dishes the groups have prepared and made include: chicken quesadillas, chicken cordon bleu, personal pizzas, and a meatball casserole.

Our Seacoast day program started a new volunteering opportunity with Kingston State Park! The group volunteers on Monday mornings by cleaning up the park. After volunteering, the group spends the rest of the day at the park and enjoys swimming in the lake and hiking the various trails! In August, the group will continue to play sports in the park on Fridays at Stratham Hill Park. The group continues to tend to the community garden in Stratham. Some of the vegetables have started to sprout! Region 8 is looking forward to another month of great weather and visiting local parks and beaches, such as Hampton Beach, Rye and Odiorne State Park.

05/09/12

The LifeShare Dover office staff and friends will be starting a community garden in Stratham sometime in May as we are eagerly awaiting the warm weather. Our group will be planting various flowers and vegetables. In keeping with the garden fresh food theme, we participated in a trip to Apple Hurst Farm in Epping for hiking, ice cream tasting and a cow-milking demonstration on April 28th.

LifeShare is excited to announce a new volunteer opportunity by partnering with the Salvation Army in Portsmouth. Through their volunteer work with the Salvation Army individuals will gain valuable work experience while building their resumes.

Important upcoming events: Every Friday there will be Sports in the Park at Stratham Hill Park. Also, the Dover team will be having a BBQ at Hilton Park on May 25^th to kick off the summer season!

04/02/12

A busy April is ahead as the LifeShare Dover Office looks forward to exciting Spring events!

LifeShare will be starting a community garden in Stratham sometime in April and we are eagerly awaiting the warm weather. Our group will be planting various flowers and vegetables.

We have an art show in Portsmouth planned for April 2^nd; there will be light refreshments served and door prizes!

We are also working with the Lee Public Library where they will highlight some of our artists’ work, complete with artists’ profiles.

There is a trip scheduled to visit the Apple Hurst Farm in Epping for hiking, ice cream tasting and a cow-milking demonstration on April 28th.

The Dover Team is excited to announce that we just found a new volunteer opportunity at Hickory Nut Farm in Lee to help bottle feed baby goats.

We are also currently working to set up other volunteering opportunities at the Dover Children’s Museum, Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, as well as working with the Blue Ocean society; with their adopt a beach campaign cleaning up local beaches and state parks.

03/30/12

The LifeShare Hampstead Office would like to send out several thank-yous to people who made a difference to many individuals in our program.

One of the Life Coaches in the Hampstead office, Jen D., had recognized the importance of the topic of safety. So she researched available trainings offered in the several surrounding communities that folks at LifeShare maybe able to attend.

After making many calls to local towns, she was able to set up a visit with the Salem Fire Department . Not only was a tour given, but a class on fire safety as well.

We would like to thank the all of the fire fighters who took time out of their busy day in order to make a difference in the lives of some very appreciative people. We can’t express how many times someone has asked if he/she can demonstrate how to use a fire extinguisher appropriately since that class. Thank you Salem Fire Department!

02/17/12

LifeShare NH Child Services Offers Educational Services

LifeShare offers a variety of educational services to meet the need of students who are having trouble in school and also have either legal or mental health issues. These services are short term in nature and designed to help the child become integrated back into a school community.

For more information please contact: Courtney Summmers at 603 644 6955

02/06/12

LifeShare Participates in Transition Fair at Pinkerton Academy

On January 30,2012 Val Weider, Heather Stice, TJ West and Alyssa Richard were proud to represented LifeShare at the Transition Fair at Pinkerton Academy.

The event provided the opportunity for families of individuals who are turning 21 years of age to learn about all of the various services that exist. It was not only an informative evening, but also a time to rekindle old relationships and create new ones.

All of the staff in the Hampstead Office would like to thank Region Ten and Pinkerton Academy for inviting us to participate in the Transition Fair as it is such a meaningful event for families.

01/23/12

LifeShare Dover Day Program has a full schedule of activities lined up for the next few weeks.

What better way to beat the winter blues than with an Art Show? LifeShare folks in Region 8 will soon be proudly displaying their art along with their photos taken in the community at their Spring 2012 Art Show. We are excited to showcase the many talents that will contribute to this event to be held in March. Stay tuned for an announcement on the location and date of this event.

On the January 25^th, LifeShare Individuals and Staff have organized an ice skating outing at the Exeter rink. Skate on by and join in the fun.

Stickers East Bowling Alley is having a canned food drive for a local charity and has made LifeShare a generous offer. Anyone from our group who donates 3 canned goods during the week of January 30th, may bowl for free. Thank you Stickers East Bowling Alley and to all for participating in such an important cause.

Jan 24^th from 11-12 LifeShare is hosting an arts and craft activity at Me an Ollie’s in Portsmouth. Stop on by and lend your creativity and talent to group. It is sure to be an imaginative and inspired time.

01/20/12

Region 8 Says Good Bye to 2011 with the Addition of New Activites

Rounding out 2011, Region Eight’s Day program added many new activities and volunteer opportunities for our individuals such as; participating in indoor soccer and volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Dover and Seabrook. We are goal is to reach out and work with Meals on Wheels Hampton. Another exciting venture is the addition is a group photography class in anticipation of the upcoming Spring 2012 Art Show!

01/05/12

NH Child Services-

LifeShare Counseling Center Services Offered

Mental Health Services are provided in the form of group and individual treatment to children, teens and adults. These services are holistic in nature and solution focused.

Services may also address crisis intervention and stabilization.

Court Mandated Services are offered in the areas of mental health, anger management, substance abuse education, violence prevention, trauma informed therapy, and parenting skills.

Substance Abuse Counselingis offered to those people with a dual diagnosis and with a focus on relapse prevention.

Trauma Focused Treatmentis offered to those survivors of violence, domestic violence and with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Personal GrowthLife Coaching is offered to those individuals who want to make changes in lives in order to reach their personal goals.

Information and Appointments

Call 603 644 6955 to schedule an appointment or contact Courtney Summers more information.

Payment

Currently we accept Medicaid Healthy Kids Gold and Access Blue, Blue Choice, HMO Blue New England (NH, ME, CT). A sliding scale is available. Please call Courtney Summers for current insurance information.

01/05/12

NH Region 10

The Hampstead office would like to share a success story that is a true testament to LifeShare’s motto, “Real Life for Real People,”where LifeShare believes that the community should be open to people of all abilities.

Over the past few months one of our life coaches has been helping a young woman acclimate to her community. She experiences difficulties while engaged in social situations, and her team has asked that LifeShare provide assistance with this. In a short time this young woman has not only adjusted to being in a professional work environment of a town hall, but also learned work related skills, taken pride in her accomplishments and developed relationships in the community. The appreciation she continually receives from those she is in contact with has overflowed into the Hampstead office via e-mails and a letter addressed to the Board of Selectmen.

12/09/11

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

LifeShare Staff Give All Year Long!

The minute the last ornament was placed on the tree, the first one was taken off.

LifeShare staff give of themselves every single day to assist those they work with and it is obvious that the giving and caring certainly doesn’t stop at the Holidays. In searching for way to bring the Season’s cheer to the kids they support, LifeShare staff came up with a way to spread Holiday cheer and give back.

This year 40 ornaments adorn the Christmas tree at LifeShare.

These ornaments which were handcrafted by LifeShare Child Services staff and are available for a $20 donation.

All the proceeds from the ornaments will be used to benefit the children whose names appear on the ornaments. For these children there is no abundance of holiday gifts at home and without the generosity of the staff and of those who chose an ornament, they might otherwise have no gifts for the Holiday. We are fortunate to give at this time of year in the spirit of the season and we receive so much more by experiencing the joy of sharing and caring.

11/09/11

LifeShare congratulates Dawn Stanwood in her promotion to Program Manager for Region 8 services.

Dawn brings to her new position years of dedication and hard work. She is a role model to staff and has the energy needed to inspire others. It is our pleasure to have her working as part of the LifeShare Team as she specializes in group activities, employment opportunities, and organizing schedules. Congratualtions Dawn!

11/07/11

LifeShare is proud to announce the expansion of our Region 7 Adult Services Team!

After 2 years as a LifeCoach with LIfeShare, Pam Brochu-Wentworth has accepted the position as Program Manager. Pam will assist in the coordination of day programs.

Congratulations Pam! We appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm!

10/18/11

October is the month of 4’s for our NH Child Services Department

NH Child Services is excited to announce that the educational programs are starting the school year off with a great deal of enthusiasm. Enrollment numbers are climbing as the projected enrollment of 4 or more students will be met within the next two weeks.

Also this month, 4 Therapeutic Day Treatment Program Alumni called to say hello and to let us know how they are doing. It was wonderful to know that our previous participants feel a bond with us as we encourage them to keep the connection with LifeShare. It is very rewarding to know that as participants move on with their lives they will reach out to us after they are through programs. There is no better feeling than to say hello to old friends, learn of their successes, and to listen as they relate how they miss LifeShare and the support they received while attending out programs.

LifeShare has amazing staff which gives 110% into changing lives 4 the better. When we receive calls from individuals telling us how much they miss us and our programs, we know we making a 4-ever difference!

If you have any questions regarding the many programs that LifeShare Child Services offers, please contact us!

09/02/11

We are currently are in IMMEDIATE need for an Adult Foster Care Provider who speaks Bosnian.

If you have ever thought of making a difference in someone's life and you would like to open your heart and your home and provide residential support services to an adult who has a developmental disabilities, please return to the opening webpage and click on: BECOME A HOME CARE/FOSTER CARE PROVIDER.

We will provide all necessary training and support to certify your home.