DSSC Era:
Developmental Services of
Strafford County, Inc. (DSSC)
was established as a corporation in 1982 in Dover, New Hampshire to provide
comprehensive community-based services for residents of Strafford County, New
Hampshire who have developmental disabilities. DSSC is one of twelve community-based agencies in
New Hampshire. A community Board of Directors is
responsible for the operation of DSSC, a non-profit and tax-exempt agency whose
funding comes from many sources; including local, state, and Federal government,
private insurance, and donations.
In a 1982 court decision, the court found that the institutional nature of
Laconia State School in Laconia, New Hampshire was not providing the federally
dictated "least restrictive setting" for its residents with developmental
disabilities. As a result, the State of New Hampshire committed itself to the
creation of a community based system of care for its developmentally disabled
citizens.
By court order, the residents of the Laconia State School were the first
priority of this new system.
By 1991, the institution was closed, and all residents were returned to community based programs. In addition, many other Strafford
County individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders have begun to receive services
and supports from DSSC. The agency now provides services and
supports to eligible individuals and their families of all ages through a
variety of programs, though this is always dependent upon available funding.
These programs vary from several hours of support per week to twenty-four hour
support; according to individuals' needs. Emergency service is also available.
In addition to providing services, DSSC collaborates with other human service
agencies in the immediate area and in the State of New Hampshire to ensure that its
consumers have choice and access to any additional supports and services that they may
require.
As of the start of the year 2001, DSSC served over 525
eligible individuals over the age of 3 as well as over 100 in the Early Supports
and Services Program (birth to age 3). In our residential program we support
approximately 79 adults with disabilities and 63 in our day and vocational program.
Community Support Services support approximately 27 individuals.
BHDSSC Era:
In 2001. the State of New Hampshire designated DSSC the community mental health provider for Strafford County. Prior to this, the state of New Hampshire’s Division of Behavioral Health sought bids from area non-profits that were interested in becoming the designated community mental health program in Strafford County. The need arose for a new community mental health center after Strafford Guidance Center lost that designation, due to significant and extended financial difficulties. DSSC sought and was awarded the designation to do this important work, effective August 1, 2001. As of October 1, the organization doubled in the number of staff employed, doubled in budget, and will go from serving under 1,000 clients to serving nearly 5,000 annually. We are now Behavioral Health & Developmental Services of Strafford County.
Community Partners Era:
On November 25, 2003, at it's annual board meeting, the Board of Directors of BHDSSC officially changed the agency's name to Community Partners. This is in recognition of the successful merging of the two agencies and to celebrate the role of our consumers in their local communities.