Future may hold promise for HOPE

BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
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CLAREMONT — While a long-term solution has not yet been found for HOPE for New Hampshire Recovery, local non-profit leaders say the future for recovery services in Claremont is promising.

Nearly a month after HOPE for New Hampshire Recovery’s board of directors announced the closings of four centers across the state, the doors at the Claremont center have opened again. The organization provides peer coaching services to recovering addicts.

Officials from the organization say the closures follow a period of financial stress. Rather than risk an organization-wide bankruptcy, board members made the decision to close the Claremont, Concord, Franklin and Berlin centers and consolidate efforts at the flagship Manchester center.

Already, Executive Councilor Joe Kenney said on Wednesday, efforts to find funding for the organization have begun, with several non-profits pledging bridge funding to keep the Claremont center open until a state contract can advance.

“In the meantime, I have resumed offering recovery coaching services and peer support groups from the old location until we secure a new one and move forward,” Claremont Center Manager Wayne Miller said.

As part of a contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and the organization authorized by the executive council this month, centers in Franklin, Berlin and Manchester will have renewed state support. No solution has yet been found for the Concord center.

Several area non-profit organizations have offered to support bridge funding efforts, with the eventual intent that a permanent solution will be found. Miller said he is working with TLC Family Resource Center to coordinate funding efforts.

Already, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center contributed $20,000 of bridge funding, and Valley Regional Hospital has been in talks to provide additional funding. The Department of Health and Human Services has also been involved in similar talks, proposing to potentially put forward $160,000 in bridge funding to keep the center open for another year.

However, Kenney said at an executive council meeting on Wednesday, no decision has been made yet, and executive councilors asked groups to find funding to support the center until June 2019, after which a new service provider contract for Sullivan County can be drafted.

 

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