Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.
Have You Registered for This Month’s Quarterly Meeting Yet?
It’s officially March, which means the next Quarterly Meeting will be here before we know it! Set for Tuesday, March 24, at Northeast Delta Dental in Concord, NH, the meeting will feature an engaging presentation on Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (NDHHS); an update on the NHAHA planning process – including an opportunity to help shape the organization’s direction moving forward; and more. This in-person event will take place from 9:00–11:30 AM, with optional networking beginning at 8:45 AM and continuing from 11:30 AM–noon.
Public Comment Opportunity: CFI Waiver Amendment
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is accepting public comment on proposed statewide amendments to the CMS-approved Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver. The updates aim to better align the waiver with New Hampshire’s System of Care framework by clarifying rate methodology and medical eligibility processes. The changes will not modify nursing facility level-of-care criteria, reduce services, or introduce new cost-sharing, and no adverse fiscal impact to participants is anticipated. The comment period is open February 24–March 31, 2026, and includes a virtual session on March 11.
Virtual Info Session: State of the Safety Net
On Friday, March 6 from 12:00–1:00 PM, the Urban Institute will introduce its new State of the Safety Net web tool, which offers comprehensive national and state-level estimates on eligibility and participation across seven major programs – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), public and subsidized housing, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and more – as well as key tax credits. Attendees will experience a live demonstration and expert discussion on how this data can inform outreach and strengthen strategies.
Upcoming Partner Event: NDHHS Expo
The Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (NDHHS) Expo will take place April 11 from 1:00–5:00 PM at the Boys and Girls Club in Concord, NH, bringing together vendors and nonprofits from across the state for a hands-on, inclusive event celebrating 25 years of service and advocacy. Designed to engage those with hearing loss, the Expo offers opportunities to explore technology, access resources, and connect with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and ASL communities.
Did You Know? The Commodity Supplemental Food Program Provides Free Food for Older Adults
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides income-eligible New Hampshire residents age 60 and older with free monthly groceries and practical nutrition information to promote health and well-being. Participants can receive a variety of staple foods such as milk, cheese, cereal, fruits, vegetables, pasta, and more, with the added benefit of fresh, locally grown produce during the summer months.
Age-Friendly Strategies for a Warming World
It may still be winter in NH, but recent record-breaking heat waves and rising overnight temperatures are putting older adults at greater risk of dehydration, isolation, and heat-related illness, especially for those aging in place on fixed incomes or in older housing. Using the World Health Organization Age-Friendly Communities Framework, communities can respond with practical solutions that strengthen resilience and social connection.
Webinar: Understanding the Results of the U.S. POINTER Study
On March 23 at 3:00 PM, the National Hypertension Control Roundtable (NHCR) will host a virtual fireside chat to review results from the U.S. POINTER study and its neurovascular ancillary study. The session will discuss what the findings may mean for hypertension control and dementia risk reduction efforts, including how a structured lifestyle intervention improved cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline and how researchers are examining neurovascular mechanisms that may underlie those effects.
Do you have an “AHA Moment” you would like to share, or would like us to add a friend to the “Moments” Mailing List? Please email Kathryn Selinga at Kathryn.Selinga@unh.edu