Rockingham Care grant signs up seniors; transportation limits enrollment at Silverthorn

Christine, the county staff member overseeing the Rockingham Care grant program, told commissioners on Jan. 29 that 18 people are actively enrolled in the program and are being served by Silverthorn in Salem.

Christine said the enrolled seniors come from 14 municipalities across Rockingham County and that about one-third of the enrollees are aged 90 or older; the youngest enrolled person is 74 and the oldest is 94. “These folks wanna keep their loved ones at home,” Christine said, summarizing why families use adult-day services and transportation provided under the grant.

Program capacity and transportation

Silverthorn’s maximum licensed capacity for the day program is 32 people, Christine said; on a busy day Silverthorn serves about 28 people and on a slow day about 25. Of the 18 enrolled in the county program, 14 use the program’s transportation. County staff and a Silverthorn contact (identified in the meeting as Jessica) said the primary barrier to enrolling more participants is driver capacity: one driver must pick up and return multiple clients at the same times, and Silverthorn reported they would be able to accept more participants if they could add an additional driver.

Finance and contract path forward

Chuck Nickerson, senior director of finance, said staff have submitted documents to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that include a budget revision to move dollars into contracted services for transportation. He said there is room in the current budget revision to add funds for subcontracted transportation and that a contract amendment (replacement of Appendix A/exhibit A) could be drafted to increase contracted driver hours and mileage reimbursement.

“We would need numbers back from Jessica on exactly what additional hours and drivers are needed,” a staff member said; commissioners asked staff to return with a precise staffing/hours request so the board can consider a contract amendment.

Providers and outreach

Christine said Silverthorn is serving a geographically broad group (Salem, Seabrook, Chester, Plaistow, Atkinson and other towns). She described ongoing outreach to other potential providers; she said Easterseals in Manchester had expressed interest in possibly contracting with the county but had not yet finalized a process.

Application process and referrals

Christine recommended referrals from local organizations and direct phone outreach rather than expecting seniors to use QR codes or online applications. She said her own approach is to meet families and assist with the referral and application process and that the county website lists a referral form and her contact information.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff to obtain specific cost and hours estimates from Silverthorn (Jessica) and to return with a proposed contract amendment and budget revision if additional driver hours are required. Staff said they would circulate the numbers and, if needed, bring an amendment forward for board authorization.