SCHEDULE
The 2024 Annual Conference featured a variety of expert speakers that explored topical and practical subjects in plenary and educational sessions. This is a past event.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Great Hall
Registration
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Grand Ballroom Lobby & Garden Corridor
Vendor Set-Up
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Conservatory
Welcome Reception
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Great Hall
Registration
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Washington Board Room
Officers Meeting
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Grand Ballroom
Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Grand Ballroom
Welcome & Plenary
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Grand Ballroom Lobby & Garden Corridor
Trade Show Floor
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Jefferson
Educational Breakout Session 1: Risk Mitigation for Seniors
Chris Brown , Director of Sales and Strategic Accounts, AccessDx Laboratory
Eric Brown, Area Vice President, Aranscia Precision Medicine
The presentation will focus on AccessDx Laboratory's precision medicine programs for senior living, emphasizing risk mitigation in long-term and post-acute care settings. Key topics include reducing readmissions, falls, and adverse drug reactions through pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, advanced molecular diagnostics, and personalized medication management.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Reagan
Educational Breakout Session 2: Leveraging AI: Best Practices and Guidance for Local Government
Rita Reynolds, Chief Information Officer, National Association of Counties
This interactive presentation will highlight current AI use cases within local governments, showcasing how technology is enhancing public services. Attendees will receive an overview of the NACo AI Compass and toolkit, designed to guide counties in developing effective and ethical AI strategies. Through-out the presentation, national and state will be covered. This educational session will help attendees leave equipped with practical knowledge to implement AI solutions in their own jurisdictions.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dartmouth
Educational Breakout Session 3: Leadership: Motivation and Alignment
Fred King, Principal, Fred King Associates
This session presents basic communication and motivational principles for both individual and group application. Topics include aligning a workforce, positive engagement, constructive listening and coaching skills, mentoring, and running an effective meeting. Participants examine issues around the implications of style and personality in leadership.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Washington Boardroom
Affiliate Meeting TBD
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Grand Ballroom
Lunch & Plenary
Sponsored by HealthTrust
USN (Retired) Senior Chief Tony Eafrati
USN (Retired) Senior Chief Tony Eafrati will speak to Conference attendees about being from the North Country, specifically Coos County, and how his North Country routes led to his success in the special warfare community and as a leader.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Jefferson
Educational Breakout Session 4: Navigating the Current State of the Senior Living Industry
Lisa Trundy-Whitten, Principal, Healthcare Group, BerryDunn
In this session we will explore the current regional and national trends, challenges, and opportunities facing the New Hampshire county long-term care facilities. We will examine current industry occupancy; payor mix and financial trends. We will discuss changes in regulatory requirements and reimbursement methodology including New Hampshire Medicaid regulations and cost reporting.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Dartmouth
Educational Breakout Session 5: Human Resources as a Strategic Partner
Fred King, Principal, Fred King Associates
This session reviews the role of the H.R. department as a strategic and tactical partner in managing the organization--collaborating with line management on recruitment, evaluation, and development. It provides a basic, working overview of employment law and employer liabilities to include employment law, worker's compensation, documentation and discipline, and harassment.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Garden Corridor
Refreshments with sponsors
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Dartmouth
Finance Committee Meeting
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Jefferson
Deeds Affiliate Meeting
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Reagan
HR Affiliate Meeting
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
County Cup Event: Accusing Parlor
heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served
Local performance troupe, the Carriage Lane Players, will perform "Accusing Parlor." Join the Association for a 1920s evening of entertainment and a chance to guess "whodunit" first to win the County Cup!
*period dress encouraged... it could be the tie-breaker!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Great Hall
Registration
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Grand Ballroom
Breakfast
Sponsored by Freedom Energy Logistics
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Grand Ballroom
Executive Committee Meeting
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Grand Ballroom
Plenary Session
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Grand Ballroom Lobby & Garden Corridor
Trade Show Floor
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Jefferson
Educational Breakout Session 6: Enhanced Barrier Precautions: Exploring the What, Where, and How… But Don’t Forget the Who
Darlene Cray, Program Manager, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control, New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services
During this session we will discuss the requirements and process of implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions within your setting. We will also discuss and troubleshoot how these precautions can be put in place while recognizing the “person” and their activities as they live within your long-term care setting.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Reagan
Educational Breakout Session 7: Sorry, I Didn’t Mean To Pry: When Employers May Ask For Employee Medical Information
Carol Kilmister, Senior Human Resource Consultant, Legal & HR Services, Primex3
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made national news earlier this year when he was hospitalized and on medical leave without notifying his employer (in this case, the President). This event sparked an interesting HR conversation about what employers need to know and when they need to know it. Although some employees keep their medical information very private, there are also employees that very openly share these details with coworkers and even supervisors. How much should we know, when should we know it, and how should we ask for it? And what is the role of your HR department in this process? This session will explore the employer’s rights and responsibilities when an employee has a medical condition, when they need to be out on medical leave, as well as when their medical condition may affect their ability to do their job. We’ll review several examples of employee leave requests, as well as the federal laws that apply.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dartmouth
Educational Breakout Session 8: State House Update: 2025 Legislative Session
Kate Horgan, Vice President, Government Affairs, The Dupont Group
Jim Monahan, President, The Dupont Group
With the 2024 elections complete and 2025 legislative session rapidly approaching, please join The Dupont Group for an update on all things to come at the State House. Topics will include the state budget, sanctuary cities, cannabis, county commissioner districts, and more. In addition, have you ever wondered what to expect when you attend a hearing? A mock hearing will also be held, so you can learn the dos and don’ts of testifying at the State House.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Washington Boardroom
Deeds Affiliate Meeting
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Lunch & Keynote: New Hampshire Icons
Sponsored by Primex
Wayne Presby, President, Mount Washington Railway Company
Tobey Reichert, General Manager, Mt. Washington Auto Road
Ray Berthiaume, Field Specialist, Natural Resources, Coos County Forester, UNH Cooperative Extension
A discussion on tourism, challenges of operating a business in the North Country, and the changing nature of the Coös County economy and the implications to the entire state.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Dartmouth
Educational Breakout Session 9: Facilitating an Involuntary Emergency Admission from a Correctional Setting
Mary Beth Hardy, MA, LCMHC, MLADC, Inmate Services and Programming Manager, Rockingham County Department of Corrections
Ivy Hranac, MSW, LICSW, Mental Health Supervisor, Rockingham County Department of Corrections
New Hampshire Hospital provides inpatient psychiatric treatment to patients admitted on an involuntary basis through an emergency admissions process, a non-emergency court order, or on a limited voluntary basis, depending on the availability of facilities.
This presentation will provide an overview of the Involuntary Emergency Admission (IEA) process (pursuant to NH state law, RSA 135-C:27-33) in New Hampshire from a Correctional Setting.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Jefferson
Educational Breakout Session 10: Who Needs a Cybersecurity Program?
Cori Casey, Risk Management Consultant, Primex3
Ken Weeks, Chief Information Security Officer, State of New Hampshire
Jason Sgro, Sr. Partner of Business Strategy, Head of Cybersecurity & Human Privacy, The ATOM Group
Richard Rossi, CISA Cybersecurity Advisor
New Hampshire counties are some of our most vulnerable members. What is the recommended path to develop your cybersecurity program and how do we define what adequate resources are required? Loss of HIPPA, CJIS, and other protected data can have significant ramifications, if breached. This presentation will be focused on all levels of leadership, and will be a plain speak, non-technical discussion focused on getting you started in the right direction!
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Reagan
Educational Breakout Session 11: Safe and Sound for Aspiring Leaders
Michelle Strasburger, CEO & Chief Consultant, The Wellness Value, LLC
Al Polizzi, CEO, Verdant Consulting
This workshop gives aspiring leaders the information and tools to create a psychologically safe environment by providing the knowledge, research, insights, and frameworks leaders need to create a holistic and business-oriented strategy for workplace mental health. As a working session, participants will reflect on their specific situations, workshop ideas with others, and walk away with an action plan for their organization.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Washington Boardroom
Commissioners Council Meeting
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Jefferson
Nursing Home Affiliate Meeting
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Conservatory
Cocktail Reception
Sponsored by PrimeCare Medical
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Grand Ballroom
Awards Banquet
Sponsored by Secured Network Services, Inc.
formal attire encouraged