Faces Support of Recognizing Massachusetts Direct Support Professionals - Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
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Faces
of
Support
Recognizing Massachusetts
Direct Support Professionals
January Dedication There have been many lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are two that specifically stand out to us here at the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP). The first is the importance of working in partnership with the Massachusetts state funding and regulatory agencies, community service and business partners, other trade and advocacy colleagues, our 131 service provider agency members, and the individuals and families we serve. We have been “in this together” and by working together we have accomplished so much. The second lesson is an affirmation of the resilience of the human services sector. Already faced with pre-pandemic challenges, the human services workforce—our direct support professionals, nurses, and clinicians—worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to care for individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism, or brain injuries. For some staff, it meant creating new, remote service and program options for individuals when day programs closed. For others, it meant leaving their own families behind to live with and care for the residents of a group home. For many, it meant wearing new hats, learning new responsibilities, picking up more work and staying committed to longer days. Despite the challenges, this workforce —which experienced an outstanding increase in temporary or permanent lay-offs due to the pandemic—remained steadfast to the individuals they serve. The human services workforce challenges have been identified as ADDP’s number one strategic priority. “Our direct service and supervisory staff wear many hats—that of teachers, health care man- agers, skill developers, coaches, personal care helpers, family members and friends,” said Ellen Attaliades, ADDP President/CEO, during ADDP’s 2021 Workforce Policy Summit. “Without these staff, the individuals we serve are not able to grow and learn new skills, get the medical care they need, aren’t able to participate in community activities and function at their highest potential as active members of society. The staff that we employ are the backbone of the human services industry—the safety net services of the Commonwealth. Without these committed staff, basic safety net services cannot be provided to individuals of the Commonwealth who have very com- plex needs.” ADDP remains committed to the workforce and is working actively with service providers, state agency heads, and the legislature to get the paramount help the industry needs. ADDP has proudly chosen to dedicate its 2022 calendar to the human services workforce. On the following pages you will have an opportunity to see the faces and read more about the employees who remain committed to the people they serve.
SUNDAY MONDAY
JANUARY 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
Mary Keefe
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Bruce Tarr David Rogers
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Bradley Jones Karen Spilka Kate Donald
Hogan Wong
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
John Keenan Todd Smola Michael Moore Peter Capano Julian Cyr Donald Brian Murray James Kelcourse Josh Cutler
Marting Luther King Jr. Day Berthiaume, Jr.
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
John Velis Antonio Cabral Claire Cronin
30 31
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February Each year, ADDP’s membership has convened
SAVE THE DATE: on Beacon Hill to address the needs of individ-
uals with intellectual and developmental
ADDP’s Virtual Legislative Budget Forum disabilities, including Autism, and brain injuries,
and to provide policy and/or funding recom-
11 a.m. | February 2, 2022 mendations on a path forward. The ADDP
Legislative Luncheon has been an opportunity
for members to come together with the hope
of redoubling their advocacy efforts by speak-
ing to legislators in support of the communities
they serve.
Like many events in 2021, ADDP’s Legislative
Luncheon turned virtual, but that did not stop
ADDP member agencies from coming togeth-
er to have their voices heard. More than 200
people joined the Association’s first-ever virtual
Legislative Budget Forum, notably various
Massachusetts state representatives and sen-
ators and their staff, as well as guest speakers
from member agencies. ADDP’s Budget Ask for
FY’22 included funding increases for Communi-
ty Day/Work Programs and in Transportation.
Rep. Kay Khan, former Chair of the Joint
Committee on Children, Families, and Persons
with Disabilities provided opening remarks.
Sen. Michael Rodrigues, Chair of Senate Ways
and Means, was honored as ADDP’s Legislator
of the Year for his ongoing support and ad-
vocacy efforts. Rep. Khan and Sen. Rodrigues
shared their insights related to the FY’22 bud-
get and heard ADDP’s budget priorities.
ADDP has identified the dire human services
workforce crisis as its number one priority in
FY’23 and beyond. The workforce, and other
timely issues, will be the focus of the 2022
virtual Legislative Budget Forum, which
is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday,
February 2.
Please visit www.addp.org for more
information about this event. We hope that
you will join us!
SUNDAY MONDAY
FEBRUARY 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5
ADDP Legislative
Budget Forum • 11 a.m. Ayanna Pressley
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Joseph McKenna Alyson Sullivan Maura Healey David Vieira
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valentine’s Day Richard Neal
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Sean Garballey Michael Moran Lenny Mirra
President’s Day
27 28
Eric Lesser Susannah Carol
Whipps Doherty
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March Kolapo Amoo
Direct Support Professional,
Venture Community Services
Sturbridge, MA
Personal Care Direct Support Professional Kolapo
Amoo is not sure why he chose
to work with people who have
intellectual and developmental
disabilities, but he knows that he has
faced his own challenges and wants
to make other people’s lives better, happier, and easier.
Kolapo works the overnight shift, although he works all shifts. In
addition to making sure residents sleep safely and comfortably,
Kolapo spends a lot of time these days deep cleaning and disin-
fecting, in addition to any other house responsibilities.
“My mornings with the residents consist of everything anyone
does every day, so I help them do it,” Kolapo said. “Things like
assisting with personal care, getting dressed, helping them make
what they want for breakfast, cleaning up, making sure they get
their medications and making sure they are enjoying their time
before the next shift comes in, usually watching tv together,
talking or whatever they want to do.”
Working in human services is challenging, but the men Kolapo
cares for continue to be a driving force in his work at Venture.
“The work is hard, especially during COVID when we had to ‘lock-
down,’” Kolapo said. “I volunteered to shelter in place for a long
time. I wanted to make sure that time for them was well spent
because they make my time with them the same. I have fun with
them, I like seeing them make it through things, it’s just import-
ant to me.”
Many of the people Kolapo supports cannot support themselves.
“In a lot of situations, they are living in our homes because this
is the best option…because they don’t have people who can take
care of them,” Kolapo said. “Sometimes they have no one in their
lives besides us. Imagine how that would feel if you couldn’t do
things for yourself or had no one to help you in your hardest
times. Everyone would want someone there to do what we do
for them.”
The most rewarding part of the job is watching someone achieve
a goal or be successful, such as with a skill they have been
practicing. “Knowing I was a part of that makes me happy,”
Kolapo said.
What would he say to others about his work? “It will teach you
about yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, what life really
means. It is one of the most important jobs there is that many
people don’t even know is out there but should.“
SUNDAY MONDAY
MARCH 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5
John Lawn, Jr. RoseLee Vincent Carole Fiola Barry Finegold Thomas Golden, Jr.
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Chynah Tyler Natalie Blais Denise Provost
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Timothy Whelan Bud John
Williams Cronin
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
William Brownsberger Paul Thomas Michael Edward Jerald Maria
Feeney Stanley Finn Kennedy Parisella Robinson
27 28 29 30 31
Sonia Stephen
Chang-Diaz Lynch
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April Eric
Lincourt
Reciprocity Shared Living Caregiver
Nonotuck Resource Associates
Northampton, MA
In many ways, Melvin Accetta is a perfect representative of the
Nonotuck Resource Associates model: a person underserved by
previous living arrangements, now flourishing in a shared living
environment. Mel is a resident of the innovative Brooklyn Street
neighborhood in North Adams, an “intentional community”
designed for cooperation and equality. Here, he lives with his
caregiver Eric Lincourt, in a community where he is thriving and
is near his mother, Mary Lou.
Eric and Melvin make quite the pair. “They have this really
unique relationship—we used to refer to them as two ‘wild
and crazy guys,’” Mary Lou said. “They’ve shared so many good
times, they have so many stories.”
Good times, such as attending musical performances, hockey
games at Williams College, watching trains (a huge passion for
Mel), and kayaking. Wherever they go, Mel brings joy. “That’s one
of the biggest things I learned working for him, just how Mel’s an
institution in the city: everybody knows him,” Eric said. “Whenev-
er you go into a store, just by his presence alone, he brightens
up the whole room. People leave an interaction with him smil-
ing, it’s wonderful.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to shut down,
Eric and Mel were unable to go to local restaurants together.
Eric improvised food contests like the Food Network’s Chopped
show, where contestants are given random ingredients and a
limited time to prepare a dish. Another time, he recreated a
Dunkin Donuts drive-through in their house—complete with a
Dunkin cup—so Mel didn’t miss a beat.
Together, the pair have developed a reciprocity that allows them
to learn from one another. Eric said working with Mel has taught
him to confront his own anxieties. “I say to myself—what would
I say to Mel? Face your fears and you can do it. It’s true,” he said.
When Eric hurt his shoulder snowboarding, it was Mel who had
to step up and help him with basic tasks like dressing himself.
After eight years, the two still share a bond that transcends the
shared living dynamic. “I got really lucky. I thought it was gonna
be a couple years—next thing I know it was eight years later!”
Eric said. “It all just feels like one big happy day.”
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
APRIL 2022 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2
Jon Santiago Frank Moran
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Brendan Michael F. Jay
Crighton Day Barrows
Shawn Dooley Jonathan Hecht
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
David DeCoste Michelle DuBois
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Bruce Danielle Jason Lewis Daniel Hunt Brian Ashe
Ayers Gregoire
Patriots’ Day
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Paul Frost Paul Mark Normal Orrall David Roberston
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May Gerald Joseph
Doing Something Valuable Direct Support Professional,
Communitas
Wakefield, MA
Gerald Joseph, a Direct Support Professional at
Communitas in Wakefield, supports individuals
in the agency’s Main Street program. Gerald
first became a Direct Support Professional in
2011, marking November 2021 as his 10th year
supporting individuals with developmental
disabilities.
Gerald, who has been with Communitas since
2016, prepares for work each day by eliminat-
ing any distractions so he can best care for the
program participants. The goal, Gerald said, is
to create a safe, clean, and supportive environ-
ment for the individuals at Communitas. Hear-
ing and receiving appreciation from an individu-
al’s family or guardian is reinforcement to know
that he is providing the necessary support—to
the best of his ability—and that he is doing
something valuable, Gerald said.
Gerald aspires to become a program director
for a residential home one day. He graduat-
ed from Salem State University in 2021 with a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in
social work. He is now considering a master’s
degree in either psychology or social work. Bal-
ancing work and education are not easy, Gerald
said. Yes, the move would not only advance his
professional career, but it will also allow Gerald
to better understand the behaviors of the peo-
ple he serves and help with assessing situations
with a perspective rooted in psychology.
Gerald is married to his wife of five years. He
loves his church, is a fan of movies, and plans
to travel to visit family in Haiti.SUNDAY MONDAY
MAY 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5 6 Angelo D’Emilia 7
Joseph
Wagner
Patricia Jonathan
Daniel Donahue Denise Garlick Michael Brady Haddad Zlotnik
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Mindy William Marc
John Patrick Domb Driscoll, Lombardo
Jr. David Biele
Barrett III Kearney
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Linda Dean Campbell James O’Day David Sally Steve Owens
LeBoeuf Kearns
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
Michelle Ciccolo Michael Rodrigues
Memorial Day
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Empathy Linda Grace
Direct Support Professional,
The Guild for Human Services
Concord, MA
Linda Grace was born and raised in a small family in Uganda, where she
completed her high school and college education, and went to work
professionally in business administration.
As a new immigrant to the United States, Linda said she found it easy to get
hired in the human services industry, especially with the variety of employ-
ment opportunities. “With time, the industry has turned out to be very re-
warding,” said Linda, who works as a Residential Care Professional. Working
with The Guild has given Linda an opportunity to gain knowledge and experi-
ence to further her experience supporting people who have intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
“The human service profession is a platform that has enabled me to cultivate
and appreciate empathy more while executing my responsibilities,” Linda
said. “Working with individuals with intellectual disabilities has taught me a
lot about myself, my values, and how I relate with others. It has made me see
people and the world differently and has broadened my reality. This work
has made me value open-mindedness and creativity in a way that can help
me overcome barriers in life and work as part of a team with diverse cultural
backgrounds.
“It is what has driven my perseverance over the years and especially during
challenging times,” she said.
Linda said waking up each day knowing she is going to positively impact the
quality of life for someone in need of support—including those individuals
who display challenging behaviors, which admittedly can be taxing—is exact-
ly what gives her the joy and motivation to work in this field.
Currently, Linda is pursuing an MBA at Fitchburg State University. She as-
pires to become an entrepreneurial activist, specifically in Uganda, to inspire
millennial startup businesses to solve the current prevailing unemployment
challenges there. Linda, who hopes to excel in entrepreneurship and human
services in the future, said she would like legislators to advocate for the busi-
nesses who employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“These efforts benefit people…their families, workplaces, and society. With
reasonable support, people [with intellectual and developmental disabilities]
have so much to offer.”SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
JUNE 2022 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4
Jay Livingstone Mike Connolly
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Adam Diana
Gomez DiZoglio Kevin Aaron Michlewitz Lori Ehrlich Adam Hinds
Honan
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Kay Tram Elizabeth
Mark Sal Khan Nguyen Warren
Montigny DiDomenico
Juneteenth Independence Day
26 27 28 29 30
Nicholas Ann- Michael Matthew
Boldyga Margaret William Barrett Muratore Liz Miranda
Ferrante Straus
SPONSORED BY
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Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.July Sara Goodrich, BSN, RN, CDDN
Director of Health Services
Passion Bay Cove Human Services
Boston, MA
“I love DD nursing!” exclaims Sara Goodrich.
“Working in the developmental disabilities field
has always been my passion.”
Sara, whose experience supporting people who
have intellectual and developmental disabili-
ties dates back to her younger years when she
worked as a counselor for a camp for girls with
disabilities, is Bay Cove’s Director of Health Ser-
vices. Sara has worked in many roles throughout
her career: a residential nurse consultant; day
program director; nurse manager; and a Medi-
cation Administration Program coordinator and
trainer. Sara worked in developmental disability
services throughout nursing school and upon
graduation, she specifically sought out a position
in developmental disabilities nursing.
“I love being able to partner with people to help
them live full rich lives,” Sara said. “Being able to
see my advocacy help make positive change in
people’s lives is very rewarding.”
Working through the COVID-19 crisis has been
extremely difficult, Sara said. “In addition to
keeping ourselves and our families safe we have
had the responsibility to keep all the individuals
we support and the staff safe and healthy,” she
said. “This has required a great deal of teaching
and modeling of behavior. As a nurse, my
employers look to me and the other medical
professionals to help lead us all safely though
these times.”
In addition to her regular nursing duties, Sara
helped develop Bay Cove’s COVID-19 policy,
including human resources topics, such as the
staff’s return to work criteria, COVID testing,
and vaccination.SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
JULY 2022 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2
Ryan Fattman Tami Gouveia
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Mark Cusack Adam Scanlon Jake Oliveira Christopher Randy
Hendricks Mom
Independence Day
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Edward Markey Daniel Ryan Thomas Walsh Kip Rob
Diggs Consalvo
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Katherine Clark Paul Schmid III Walter Timilty Colleen Garry
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Natalie Higgins Hannah Kane Erika Uyterhoeven
31
Donald Nika
Humason Elugardo
SPONSORED BY
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Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.August Luz M. Lopez-Pietre
Mission of Love Direct Support Professional,
Center of Hope Foundation
Southbridge, MA
Luz M. Lopez-Pietre is driven by her mission of love.
“Every day when I go to work, I feel like I’m touching a
piece of Heaven because to me, my participants are like
angels,” she said. “My heart is full of love and compassion
for them, and I receive the same from them.”
Luz provides personal care to individuals, assisting with
their daily living activities, such as eating and toileting
needs. She also teaches skills and conducts trainings
to help increase an individual’s independence. She also
does “van runs,” transporting individuals to and from the
program safely.
“When we go on community access trips it is my respon-
sibility to make sure our program members are safe and
included,” she said.
Luz also is a listener, providing the help an individual
needs in a caring and calm way. “I chose this industry
because of the service it provides. It is a professional and
respectful service. Every day, I do my best to take care of
them and help them with whatever they need,” Luz said.
Luz received her registered nurse education while liv-
ing in Puerto Rico. It is her hope to one day become a
registered nurse here in the United States. She wants to
continue to provide support to those who need it. About
19 years ago, Luz was injured in a kitchen fire at her
home. She was hospitalized for some time, and when dis-
charged, she was recovering bedbound for nine months.
During that time, she received nursing care and physical
therapy. It was a tough time for the family.
“All that love I received from my family, the doctors, the
nurses, my friends and my church family was a great sup-
port,” she said. “That is why I want to give back the same
love to those in need.”SUNDAY MONDAY
AUGUST 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5 6
Ted Philips Marjorie Decker
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Patricia Duffy Steven Ultrino Tackey Chan James Eldridge Brandy Fluker Patrick
Oakley O’Connor
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Russell Holmes
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Joan Lovely Carlos Joseph Nick Collins James Arciero
González McGonagle, Jr.
28 29 30 31
Christine Barber William Rebecca
Pignatelli Rausch
SPONSORED BY
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Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.September Since 2008, the United States Senate has proclaimed one
week in September “National Direct Support Professionals
Recognition Recognition Week.”
During this week, service provider agencies around the
country recognize and thank the DSP workforce for the
important work they do daily for and with individuals with
disabilities, as well as their families. National Direct Support
Professionals Recognition Week raises public awareness
about the critical role DSPs have in our society.
DSPs are not just caregivers. DSPs are teachers, health care
managers, skill developers, coaches, personal care helpers,
family members and friends. Without these staff, the
individuals served are not able to grow and learn new skills,
get the medical care they need, are not able to participate
in community activities and function at their highest
potential as active members of society.
Each year, governors across the country issue proclama-
tions in their states recognizing this especially important
week. In 2021, Governor Charles Baker and Lt. Governor
Karyn Polito signed a proclamation that declared the week
of September 12-18 as Direct Support Professionals Week
in Massachusetts.
Thank you to our DSP workforce—for all that you have
done, do every day, and will do tomorrow.
You are appreciated!
“The best advice I could give to
anyone thinking about applying for a job or
is currently working in this field where you
support the needs of others, is that you
get out of it what you put into it. If you give
100% you’ll be rewarded by seeing the
amazing potential the people you serve have
and you’ll see the joy in their eyes knowing
that you care about them.”
—Jim Scott, New England Village Direct Support
Professional and Massachusetts DSP of the YearSUNDAY MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3
Andrew Joanne
Vargas Comerford
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Sheila Jeffrey
Kathleen Michael Bill Keating Danillo Sena
Harrington Roy
LaNatra Kushmerek
Labor Day
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Cynthia Creem
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
Tricia Farley-Bouvier Angelo Tommy Elizabeth Malia
Scaccia Vitolo
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Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.Jim Scott
October Direct Support Professional,
New England Village
Pembroke, MA
An Unexpected Path Jim Scott never thought he would work in the human services field.
Once an unemployed plumber apprentice, a friend of Jim’s said his
company—New England Village—was hiring. “He told me that he
worked with adults with intellectual and physical disabilities…I had
never known or worked with anyone with a disability, but I applied
and got the job.”
Jim first worked in a sheltered workshop in a pre-vocational setting
with program participants. There, individuals learned basic life skills
and completed vocational packing jobs.
“Even though I was dealing with some extremely difficult behaviors
and challenges, I quickly realized that this was where I was meant
to be,” Jim said. “I thought I didn’t choose this field of work, but a
few years after I started at New England Village, I found an old note
written by my high school principal thanking me for volunteering
during a Special Olympics event my school was hosting….so, I guess
my path was set and I didn’t even realize it.”
Thirty years later, Jim is still at New England Village and has held
various positions: a rehabilitation coordinator for a day habilitation
program; the director/head coach of the Special Olympics program;
and in a residential program where he administered medications
and assisted individuals with meal preparation and clean up, show-
ering, laundry, banking, and shopping.
Today, Jim works as a Community Connector at New England Vil-
lage’s Career and Community Exploration Center where he teaches
employment skills, including hygiene, appropriate attire, interview-
ing, and money skills.
“I’ve had the pleasure of assisting with several individuals in pursu-
ing and receiving a wide range of paying jobs in our local communi-
ty,” he said.
Jim was named the Massachusetts Direct Support Professional of
the Year by the American Network of Community Options and
Resources (ANCOR) in 2021. What has kept Jim working in
this industry?
“I believe what has driven me and encouraged me is the success
I’ve seen over the years,” Jim said. “Many times, I have been told
‘they won’t be able to do that’ and I’ve proven them wrong. My fa-
vorite quote is ‘Ability is Nothing without Opportunity.’ I had a wom-
an who had little knowledge of money skills and now is one of the
best cashiers in a local supermarket. I have many amazing examples
like that, that drive me every day to give my best so I can develop all
the potential out of the people I serve.”SUNDAY MONDAY
OCTOBER 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
Paul Tucker
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sarah Alice Hanlon
Peake Peisch
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Jennifer Benson Patricia Jehlen Christina Minicucci
Columbus Day
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
David Paul Linsky James Hawkins William Galvin Alan Silvia John Rogers
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Seth Moulton Marcos Devers Lindsay Sabadosa Paul Donato Paul McMurtry Marc Pacheco
30 31
Ruth Jessica Ronald Edward
Balser Giannino Mariano Coppinger
SPONSORED BY
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Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.November Dan Mazzacco
Finding Meaning Direct Support Professional,
Berkshire County Arc (BCArc)
Pittsfield, MA
After serving for six years in the Air Force—sta-
tioned in Japan and California—Dan Mazzacco
returned to the Berkshires working at a series
of jobs outside human services.
“I was looking for something meaningful
and not finding it,” Dan said. “I came upon
Berkshire County Arc (BCArc) by chance. I tried
it out, and here I am, three years later, working
at the best house ever.”
Dan, who got his start working as a Direct
Support Professional, was recently named
assistant manager of his Lanesboro program,
overseeing the care of three individuals with
brain injuries.
“These guys make it the best job. Their per-
sonalities and all the teamwork between them
and the staff make our house the way it is.”
Along with the makings of a game room in the
basement—pool and foosball for starters—
they all spend a lot of time outdoors walking
the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, sitting by a lake,
or enjoying the long view of the Berkshires
from their deck.
“I took one of the guys overnight camping at
Fish Pond,” he said. “We set up camp, drank
coffee, and just talked. It was such a fun,
peaceful experience. I’m lucky to have a job
where I can enjoy and share my outdoor inter-
ests with the members of this house.”
“I learned a lot in the Air Force and felt like it
was important work,” he said. “Feels exactly
the same way here at BCArc. I never expected
this job to be so rewarding.”
Run with permission from the Berkshire County Arc,
PittsfieldSUNDAY MONDAY
NOVEMBER 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5
Adrian Madaro Susan Williams Gifford Kenneth Gordon John Daniel
Mahoney Carey
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Michael Soter Karyn Polito Steven Howitt
Veteran’s Day
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Charlie Carmine James Murphy
Baker Lawrence
Gentile
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Jack Patrick James David Muradian, Jr.
Lewis McGovern
Thanksgiving Day
27 28 29 30
Michael Rush
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Faces of Support
Direct Support professionals, or DSPs, ensure people with
disabilities have the necessary supports that enable them to
live, work and enjoy life as independently as possible in their
community. DSPs can work in a number of different settings
and often have opportunities to share their own passions and
talents with the people they support.
Nationwide more than one million individuals with disabilities
rely on the services of DSPs to live, work and thrive in their
communities.
The Direct Support Workforce is made up of over 3.6 million
workers in the United States, and the demand for direct sup-
port workers is always increasing thanks to advancements that
enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
to live longer, more fulfilling lives within their communities.
–The American Network of
Community Options and Resources
To be successful, it is critical that Direct Support Professionals
(DSPs) have the competence, confidence, and ethical deci-
sion-making skills with the guidance necessary to provide qual-
ity support, receive compensation that is commensurate with
job responsibilities, and have access to a career path aligned
with ongoing professional development.
–American Association of Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities & National
Alliance of Direct Support ProfessionalsSUNDAY MONDAY
DECEMBER 2022
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Angelo Puppolo, Jr. Peter Durant Cindy Friedman
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Harriette Richard Kimberly Ferguson
Chandler Haggerty
Christmas Eve
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Dylan Christopher Carolyn Dykema Anne Gobi Daniel Kate Lipper-
Fernandes Markey Cahill Garabedian
Christmas Day New Year’s Eve
SPONSORED BY
facebook Twitter-Square Let’s get social.
Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.January 2023 We at the Association of Developmental
Gratitude Disabilities Providers (ADDP) hope you
have enjoyed our 2022 calendar, which
not only highlights individual members of
the human services workforce, but also
explores the life-changing work and
supports they provide daily to people
who have intellectual and developmental
disabilities, including Autism, and
brain injury.
Some members of our workforce are just
getting their start in human services.
Others have been there for more than
30 years. Whether a new employee or a
seasoned veteran, ADDP has identified
the human services workforce to be a
strategic and state budget priority for
FY’23 and beyond, as our members
recuperate from the devastating effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
We at ADDP are forever grateful for the
dedication, commitment, perseverance,
compassion, and strength of the people
who make up our workforce.
ADDP would also like to thank the
business members who sponsored this
calendar: Apothecare Pharmacy;
ARBOR Associates; eHana;
Employers Association of the
Northeast; FBinsure;
Selective Insurance; Greater Boston
Long Term Care Pharmacy;
Insource Services, Inc.;
Interior Resources; Mutual of America
Financial Group; Pelmeds; SteadyCare;
and Waypoint Interactive.
ADDP Business Members not only
support ADDP’s mission, but also those
of our service provider agency members,
which is to help individuals with
disabilities live fulfilling, connected lives
with as much independence as possible.SUNDAY MONDAY
JANUARY 2023
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Mary Keefe Bruce Tarr David Rogers
New Year’s Day
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Bradley Jones Karen Spilka
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Kate Hogan Donald Wong John Keenan Todd Smola Michael Moore Peter Capano Julian Cyr Donald Brian Murray James Kelcourse
Berthiaume, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Josh Cutler Bradford Hill John Velis Antonio Cabral
29 30 31
Claire Cronin
SPONSORED BY
facebook Twitter-Square Let’s get social.
Find us @MassADDP on Facebook and Twitter.ADDP Provider Members
Advocates, Inc. Communitas, Inc. Justice Resource Institute (JRI) North Suffolk Mental Health The Arc of the South Shore
Almadan, Inc. Community Connections, Inc. Kennedy-Donovan Center Association The Center of Hope Foundation, Inc.
Amego, Inc. Community Resources for Justice L'Arche Boston North Northeast Arc The Edinburg Center, Inc.
ARCHway, Inc. Community Systems, Inc. Latham Centers NuPath, Inc. The Guild for Human Services
Aspire Living & Learning Community Work Services, Inc. LifeStream, Inc. Open Sky The Ledges, Inc.
Attleboro Enterprises Comprehensive Mental Health Lifeworks Opportunities for Inclusion, Inc. The Nemasket Group
Autism Services Association, Inc. Systems, Inc. Living Independently Forever, Inc. (LIFE) Opportunity Works The PLUS Company, Inc.
Barry L. Price Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Cooperative for Human Services M.O.L.I.F.E., Inc. Pathlight The United Arc
Bay Cove Human Services Cooperative Production, Inc. MAB Community Services Pathway to Possible Thrive Support & Advocacy
Beaverbrook STEP, Inc. Corporation for Massachusetts MENTOR People, Inc. Toward Independent Living
Behavioral Associates of MA (The Halcyon Independent Living Network PRIDE, Inc. & Learning (TILL, Inc)
Center) Crystal Springs, Inc. May Institute REACH Inc. Transition Centers, Inc.
Behavioral Health Network, Inc. Delta Projects, Inc. Melmark New England, Inc. Resources for Human Triangle, Inc.
Berkshire County Arc, Inc. Eliot Community Human Services Mental Health Association, Inc. Development Turning Point, Inc.
Berkshire Family & Individual Evergreen Center Microtek RFK Community Alliance United Cerebral Palsy Association
Resources (BFAIR) Family Service Association of Minute Man Arc for Human Services, Riverbrook Residence of Berkshire County
Berkshire Hills Music Academy, Inc. Greater Fall River Inc. Riverside Community Care United Cerebral Palsy of
Beta Community Partnerships Fidelity House CRC Morgan Memorial Goodwill Metro Boston
Riverside Industries
Better Community Living, Inc. Friendship Home Industries Valley Collaborative
Road To Responsibility, Inc.
Boston Higashi School GAAMHA, Inc. Multicultural Community Valley Educational Associates
ServiceNet, Inc.
Bridgewell Gandara Mental Health Services Venture Community Services
Seven Hills Foundation
Brockton Area Arc, Inc. Center, Inc. Nashoba Learning Group
Shore Educational Collaborative VIABILITY, Inc.
Brockton Area Multi Services, Inc. (BAMSI) GROW Associates, Inc. Neurorestorative
Southeastern MA Educational Victory Human Services
Cambridge Family & Children's Service Guidewire Inc. New England Village, Inc. Collaborative Vinfen
Cape Abilities Habilitation Assistance New England Yachad Sunshine Village Walnut Street Center, Inc.
Corporation Nexus, Inc.
Cardinal Cushing Centers Tempus Unlimited, Inc. WCI
HMEA NFI Massachusetts
Caregiver Homes of MA/SeniorLink The Arc of Bristol County Western MA Training
HopeWell, Inc. Nonotuck Resource Associates
Center for Human Development The Arc of Opportunity Consortium, Inc.
House of Possibilities North East Educational and
Charles River Center The Arc of Plymouth and Work Opportunities Unlimited
Incompass Human Services Developmental Support Center (NEEDS) Upper Cape Cod
Coastal Connections, Inc. WORK, Inc.
Jewish Family & Children's Service
ADDP Business Members
PLATINUM MEMBERS GOLD MEMBERS (con't) SILVER MEMBERS SILVER MEMBERS (con't)
eHana Economised Time Services, Inc. Arbor Associates UMASS Amherst University
FBInsure and Selective Insurance Employers Association of the Northeast Capital Lease Group, Ltd. Without Walls
Mutual of America Foothold Technology CBIZ & MHM
Pelmeds Greater Boston LTC Pharmacy Core Solutions ASSOCIATE BUSINESS MEMBER
Waypoint Interactive People's United Bank GameGen DeCava Consulting
Prosper Solutions HUB International
GOLD MEMBERS Qualifacts+CREDIBLE Insource Services Inc
Annkissam SteadyCare, LLC Interior Resources
Apothecare Pharmacy Toole Insurance MDG Benefit Solutions
Butler Human Services Furniture UMASS Lowell Starkweather & Shepley (IPNE)
Ellen Attaliades, President/CEO ellenattaliades@addp.org Kathleen Jordan, President, ADDP Board of Directors
Mandy Nichols, Vice President mandynichols@addp.org Diane Gould, Vice Chair, ADDP Board of Directors
Patty Ames, Member Services Director pattyames@addp.org Dan Harrison, Clerk, ADDP Board of Directors
Robin Farrington, Senior Administrative Coordinator robinfarrington@addp.org Michael Hyland, Treasurer, ADDP Board of Directors
Joshua Fine, Administrative Assistant joshuafine@addp.org
Steve Goldblatt, The Suffolk Group
The Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
www.addp.org | 1671 Worcester Rd., Suite 201 | Framingham, MA 01701 | 508.405.8000You can also read
