GREENFIELD , NH — Dorine Pelletier, MBA, senior accountant at Crotched Mountain Foundation, was recently re-elected chair of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) for the State of New Hampshire as of July 1, 2007. Ms. Pelletier holds a Masters in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a resident of Greenville, NH and has been employed at Crotched Mountain since 2000.

Ms. Pelletier has been on the SLIC for four years, having served as chair, 1st vice chair, membership committee chair, and on the state plan committee. "I'm honored to be re-elected by members of the SILC," states Ms. Pelletier, "and am looking forward to implementing the 2008-2010 State Plan." The effective date of this three year state plan is October 1, 2007. It deals with health, transportation, and technology access issues and it will be available on the Council's website: www.silcnh.org.

The SILC is responsible for the development and implementation of a state plan for providing, improving and expanding independent living services to individuals with significant disabilities. It does so in collaboration with the State's vocational rehabilitation agency as part of its overall charge to promote the independent living philosophy statewide. By federal statute (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended), every state must have a SILC. The State of New Hampshire is unique in the fact that direct services are provided with the available Federal and State monies without administrative expenses. Council members are appointed by the Governor for a three-year term, and may be re-appointed for an additional three-year term.

The SILC will be holding a retreat at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in September to review its progress setting up the platform for the upcoming year. "Though this will be my last year as Chair, my hope is that the work of the council will continue to grow even in these difficult financial times," continues Ms. Pelletier. "Let us not tire in our efforts to expand our services."

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing nearly 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York . For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.

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