LRCS' Comprehensive Supports

Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS) is dedicated to serving the community by promoting independence, dignity, and opportunity.

LRCS offers families and individuals living with a developmental disability and/ or acquired brian disorder a wide range of support options. LRCS' offerings are designed to provide comprehensive service from birth through adulthood, and every stop in between. 

Following is a general list of supports offered by LRCS. For more specific information, please contact the appropriate LRCS representative.

Early Intervention

Early Intervention provides services to children from birth to age 3 who have established conditions, developmental delays, or who are at risk of substantial developmental delay. The goal is to enhance the child’s growth and development, as well as to provide the family with assistance and support.

Children must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for Early Intervention services. To find out more information, please contact Jennifer Doris via email, or call her directly at 524.0288; ext: 178.


Casey B. waters a plant at a local
business in Ashland.

Childcare Resource and Referral

LRCS’ Childcare Resource and Referral Program supports Belknap, Southern Grafton, and Carroll County families looking to access quality childcare options for their children.  Intimately familiar with the childcare providers in the area, this LRCS service group will refer your family to those certified childcare providers that best match your location and personal situation. 

Additionally, the Childcare Resource and Referral Program works directly with area childcare providers seeking licensing, certification, professional development, and training options.  This dual pronged approach ensures that area families have access to a multitude of quality childcare options as well as giving childcare providers access to professional development that can only enhance the services they provide to the families they support. 

Get more information on our child care resource and referral services.

Contacts:

Belknap/Lower Grafton Counties: Maureen LaClair via email or directly at 528-0274 or 1-800-649-8817 ext: 174

Carroll County: Deb Meader via email or directly at 367-9800 or 1-866-261-7555

Family Resource Centers

Family Resource Centers are non-profit, community based settings available to anyone seeking programs, resources, activities and classes designed to strengthen families. These programs focus on promoting positive parenting, raising healthy children, and supporting the needs of families seeking guidance during difficult times.

LRCS supports four Family Resource Centers located in the greater Lakes Region.  They are:

    • Giggles & Grins; Downtown Laconia
    • Little Pesaukees; Alton
    • Newfound Play Pals; New Hampton
    • Giggles & Grins; Plymouth

For more information on these and other family centered programs available in the Lakes Region, please contact Mary Beshta, LRCS Resource Coordinator, via email or directly at 524.8811; ext: 175.


Ruby T. of Gilford, NH receives
EI services through LRCS.

Step Ahead Program

The Step Ahead Program is designed for families with children under the age of 18 who are in need of resources, information, and support pertaining to parenting and family life.  The step ahead program works with families in the home and in their community, mobilizing both formal and informal resources that best suit their expresses needs. 

These supports, which are provided to qualified families free of charge, may include home visitations, respite, resource coordination, family aides, health education, and child development screening. 

For more information on this highly personalized program, please contact Mary Beshta, LRCS Resource Coordinator, via email or directly at 524.8811; ext: 175.

Family to Family Support

Family to Family Support provides guidance and assistance to families living at home with developmentally disabled family members.  LRCS will provide a Family Support Resource Coordinator who will work directly with your family. Families can receive assistance with accessing community resources; receiving respite support; making needed environmental modifications; obtaining in-home supports; and accessing general support and information.

HomeAssist Program

The HomeAssist Program is designed for chronically ill and/or elderly individuals who are having difficulty with day to day responsibilities associated with independent living.  The program enables qualified individuals to choose a care giver who will be compensated by LRCS for providing in home support to the individual for a pre-specified amount of time each week. 

This care giver can be a friend or family member, or someone appointed by LRCS directly; it’s all up to the person receiving the services.  Supports covered by this program include:

    • Meal Planning & Preparation
    • Housekeeping
    • Bill Management
    • Transportation Needs
    • Personal Hygiene
    • Organizational Needs

The HomeAssist Program is offered to those who qualify under the Elderly and Chronically Ill (HCBC-HCI) Medicaid waiver.  For more information, or to find out if you qualify, please contact Brianna Belfontaine, HomeAssist Program Coordinator, via email or directly at 524.8811; ext: 168. 


Kathy Glanzman, Genevia Halterman, Rose
Hazelton, and Shared Family Living Provider
Joanne Plummer.

Shared Family Living

The Shared Family Living Program connects developmentally disabled consumers with qualified area families who are willing to welcome the consumer into their home in a shared living arrangement.  Supported by LRCS staff, this scenario enables disabled consumers to take part in every day functions in the home in their community, maximizing their quality of life. 

For more information on the Shared Family Living Program, or to become a host family, please contact Steve Barton, Director of Shared Family Living, via email or directly at 524.8811; ext: 139.

Day Program 

The Day Program provides area consumers with a host of options intended to increase their involvement in the communities in which they live. After being paired with an LRCS Day Professional, consumers are able to spend their days attending community events, working part time for area businesses, volunteering in their communities, or even participating in the operation of their own agency guided business.  

The Day Program is supported geographically by each of LRCS’ three area offices.  For more information on the Day Program, becoming a Direct Support Professional, or becoming a Day Program Affiliated Business Partner, please contact the most geographically appropriate Community Support Director:

Laurie Vachon, Plymouth: 536.6395; ext: 19 lauriev@lrcs.org
Wendy Robb, Tilton: 286.2438; ext: 10 wendyr@lrcs.org
Chris Ialuna, Laconia: 524.1741; ext: 20 chrisi@lrcs.org

 

Please Consider Making a Donation

Each year, LRCS supports more than 1000 Lakes Region residents. Your
tax-deductible donation to LRCS will help ensure that everyone in our Make Your Donationcommunity
has the chance to lead a fully inclusive life.

 

 

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