Frequently Asked Questions

What is Community Bridges?

Community Bridges is a non-profit, 501(c)3 agency serving families in central New Hampshire affected by disability. Disability, a natural part of the human experience, may occur from developmental impairments, brain injury, or aging. Since 1982, we’ve advanced the integration, growth, and interdependence of people with disabilities in their communities, while promoting and supporting them to live as independently as possible.

Community Bridges links individuals and families to services, providers, and resources. But our name also refers to our goal of encouraging and supporting those with disabilities to be connected, contributing members of our community, as much as they are able and comfortable doing so.

What does Community Bridges do?

We provide guidance and support to families and those with developmental disabilities or brain injury. We are an advocate and caring partner for those individuals and their families from early childhood through all phases of life. It’s our mission to help everyone discover and use their skills and talents, so they can live a productive and rewarding life that they choose for themselves.

We do this by connecting families and individuals with disabilities to agencies, service providers, training, and experiences to enrich and support them.

Who is eligible for services?

Community Bridges conducts service eligibility evaluations for people living in central New Hampshire. We have two coordinators. Based upon the type of service needed and age of the recipient, the appropriate coordinator will be assigned to you. Call our main number at 1-800-499-4153 to request an eligibility determination. After answering a few simple questions, you’ll be connected to the right person.

Does Community Bridges help adults?

Yes! Our services are available to individuals throughout the life span, unless the individual no longer qualifies for services or until services are no longer requested. Adults with an acquired brain injury, or who are dealing with later-in-life age-related challenges may also be eligible for services such as elder care.

Do you have to be within a certain income range to receive help from Community Bridges?

Community Bridges’ services can be paid for privately, but most are paid for through the Medicaid eligibility of the person receiving services. Call 1-800-499-4153 and ask to speak with an Intake Coordinator to find out more.

Do you have any job openings?

We are a large organization and usually always have job opportunities. Call 1-800-499-4153 to contact a recruiter in our Human Resources department. You can also check current job listings here on our website.

I would like to interview someone at the agency for background on Community Bridges. Who should I contact?

For media inquiries, please contact Ann Potoczak, President & CEO, by email or by calling our main number at 1-800-499-4153.

I would like to report something that involves Community Bridges to have it corrected or investigated. How do I do that?

To file a complaint, call the Office of Client and Legal Services at 1-855-450-3593. You can also make a complaint or report a problem to your Service Coordinator or the Quality Assurance Department at Community Bridges. Community Bridges staff can assist you in documenting your complaint and will send it the Office of Client and Legal Services. OCLS will return a call to you with an assigned investigator.

How do I find out about the Health & Human Services system in New Hampshire?

The Department of Health & Human Services has a very helpful website - visit here .

What is the waitlist?

The Developmental Disability Wait list is a list of people who are waiting for budgeted services when there is not enough funding to support the needs of an individual with a developmental disability and/or acquired brain injury. The wait list is for any person who is eligible for DD or ABD waivered services.

According to NH RSA 171-A:1-a An individual can be put on a waitlist in one of three ways:

A) For persons in school and already eligible for services from the area agencies, funds shall be allocated to them 90 days prior to their graduating or exiting the school system or earlier so that any new or modified services needed are available and provided upon such school graduation or exit.

B) For newly found eligible adults, the period between the time of completion of an individual service agreement pursuant to RSA 171-A:12 and the allocation by the department of the funds needed to carry out the services required by the agreement shall not exceed 90 days.

C) For persons already receiving services who experience significant life changes, such as a significant change in their medical conditions, the period of time for initiation of new services shall not exceed 90 days from the amendment of the individual service agreement except by mutual agreement

What are waivers?

A Medicaid waiver is a provision in Medicaid law which allows the federal government to waive rules that usually apply to the Medicaid program. The intention is to allow individual states to accomplish certain goals, such as reducing costs, expanding coverage or improving care for certain target groups. In NH for Developmental Services, there are 3 Medicaid waivers:

A)   Developmental Disability Waiver (adults)
B)   The Acquired Brain Injury Waiver (adults)
C)   In Home Support Waiver (children)

To learn more visit: www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/bds/hcbs-waiver.htm

How do I get connected?

To determine eligibility for service contact one of our intake coordinators by calling our general business line. Our receptionist will ask you a few questions in order to connect you with the most appropriate person.

*Please note that we cannot accept third party referrals, such as doctors or school officials. We can only initiate the intake process with the individual seeking services or their guardian.

What is Conflict Free Case Management?

Conflict Free Case Management is a federal law enacted in 2014 that requires all states to comply with Federal law and rules to assure that services provided to individuals on Medicaid Waivers are without conflict. This means that no area agency can provide both case management and direct services to the same person. NH has been given until August 31, 2021 to comply. Community Bridges has a working plan in place to assure that no individual will be negatively impacted by this change in Federal law and many more communications about this will be coming in the future. It is important to know that this transition should be seamless to the individuals that we support.

Resources

Family Support Council

Event Calendar