Community Partners Behavioral Health & Development Services of Strafford County

Developmental Services

Providing comprehensive community-based services to residents of Strafford County with Developmental Disabilities.

Community Partners Comprehensive Community-based Services

Who Are We?

Community Partners is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation, that is overseen by a Board of Directors. Our agency provides services and supports to eligible individuals and their families through a variety of programs. Our goal is to support individuals with developmental disabilities to become active members of their communities. These supports include the opportunity to live in their own homes, to make and maintain friendships, and to join with their fellow citizens in community organizations.

To accomplish this, Community Partners will assist individuals to:

• Seek homes and jobs in the communities of their choice;
  
• Become productive and responsible citizens;
  
• Develop competence in all aspects of life;
  
• Develop and maintain active relationships with other members of the community; and
  
• Support their right to pursue happiness.
  
  

Providing services and supports to individuals and families of Strafford County since 1982.

Case Management

Our case managers are responsible for coordinating and assuring the continuity of all services for clients of Community Partners, including accessing services provided by other agencies. Each individual’s services vary according to his/her needs. Other responsibilities include: assisting consumers to access legal and financial aid; assisting consumers to become involved in community organizations and activities; and promoting cooperation between programs, families and guardians.

Day & Vocational Services

Our Day and Vocational Services assist adults to experience community activities through full or part-time work, and/or regular involvement in community organizations. Supports are provided through our offices in Dover and Rochester, as well as vendor agencies located in the region. These supports include job placement and training, and long-term support on the job. Nursing support is also provided.

Residential Services

Residential Services assists adults with disabilities to meet their living needs while offering the opportunity for full community participation. Residential support staff help consumers become involved in the community (shopping, recreation, transportation, etc.) and with daily tasks (cooking, finances, personal care, medications, etc.). Nursing support is also provided.

Family-Centered Early Supports & Services

This Early Supports & Services Program provides early intervention services for children from birth to three years who are experiencing developmental delays or are at significant risk for delay. An array of direct services is offered by a team of special educators, physical and occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists. All services to families through this program are intended to support families within the context of their lives and communities. Services are provided in “natural settings” such as in the child’s own home, in the homes of friends and/or relatives, child care facilities, neighborhood play groups, and other inclusive public and private community settings.

Community Support

Community Support staff assist consumers living independently by providing opportunities for them to develop skills and relationships. The program provides access to training, education, and resources that enable individuals to maintain their independence or to assist those living at home to make the transition to living on their own in the community. Nursing support is also provided.

Family Support Program

This program, overseen by the Family Advisory Council, provides information and referrals to services such as: camps; recreational programs, family counseling, special equipment funding; and respite to families. The Parent To Parent program enables families to meet and share information with other families experiencing similar concerns. Family Support also offers transition supports to families when their child is moving from school to adult services.

Who Is Eligible for Services?

Eligibility is open to all residents of New Hampshire. Community Partners provides services to residents of Strafford County, which includes Barrington, Dover, Durham, Farmington, Lee, Madbury, Middleton, Milton, Milton Mills, New Durham, Rochester, Rollinsford, Somersworth and Strafford.

To be eligible for services, individuals (ages 3 through the life-span) must have a documented disability that is attributable to at least one of the following:

• Mental Retardation;
  
• Cerebral Palsy;
  
• Epilepsy;
  
• Autism;
  
• Specific Learning Disorder; and
  
• Any condition of an individual found to be closely related to mental retardation as it refers to general intellectual functioning or impairment in adaptive behavior or to require treatment similar to that required for mentally retarded individuals.
  
  

The disability must have occurred in the developmental period (before age 22); has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely; and constitutes a severe handicap to such individual’s ability to function normally in society.

To be eligible for Family-Centered Early Supports & Services (birth to age 3) families with infants and toddlers must demonstrate a 33% delay in any area of development, have a diagnosis or a condition which is known to have an impact on development, or have a history of child and family focus factors which are likely to impact the child’s development.

To apply for services, or to receive more information, please call us at: (603) 749-4015 or visit our website at www.bhdssc.org – Volunteer positions and internships are available.

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