Easterseals asks Strafford County for $80,000 to maintain adult day and in‑home services

Sue Silsbee, executive vice president at Easterseals, told the Strafford County General Government Subcommittee the nonprofit is seeking $80,000 in county support to continue community-based services for older adults.

Silsbee said Easterseals operates an adult day program, in-home services (homemaker, personal care, nursing), supportive housing at Champlin Place and clinical supports. Champlin Place opened in January 2024, holds 72 residents and currently has a wait list. She said Easterseals served about 1,100 older adults across New Hampshire last year, with roughly 31% of those clients living in Strafford County.

Program outcomes Silsbee cited include reductions in loneliness (80%), decreases in depressive symptoms (85%), cognitive stability or improvement (82%) and reduced fall risk (73%) among adult day participants. She said many clients receive Medicaid waiver or Older Americans Act funds, which do not fully cover service costs and require philanthropic support for sustainability.

Subcommittee members pressed for billing and spending timing; Silsbee said billing cycles (quarterly) and timing of invoices account for why approved funding so far appears underspent. Members discussed the organization’s balance sheet and asset levels; Silsbee said some program lines are loss-making and that reserves support less-profitable but essential services while the organization invests in workforce recruitment and retention.

Easterseals did not receive an immediate formal vote during the hearing; its request will be considered along with other nonprofit asks in the subcommittee’s budget recommendation.