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Weekly E-Newsletter
For Melmark employees and families of individuals who reside and attend programs at Melmark's service division in New England. Please see below for important program information. Watch your inbox for a new newsletter every week.
In this Issue:
- Mission Moments
- Melmark New England's 25th Anniversary Gala
- School Calendar & Town Hall Meeting Dates
- Visitation Guidance
- Research Updates
- Staff Updates
- Employee Wellness & Benefit News
- Vaccine Reminders and COVID-19 Protocols
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MNE Stoughton is Open!
It has been a joy to welcome students to the newest Melmark New England school in Stoughton, MA, this week! Students along with the founding staff members at MNE Stoughton have been taking time to get to know one another and settle in to their school schedules and routines. Everyone has been enjoying the intentional design of the new school space, suited so well to the lessons and activities of each and every student.
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Anthony gives a high-five on completing a task. | |
Roman is sitting down for a healthy lunch. | |
Christian practices his counting skills. | |
Isaiah is working on communication skills. | |
Reaghan is picking up utensils to use at lunch. | |
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Brayden using exercise equipment.
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Joseph working on money skills.
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Aubrey and Declan are hard at work with the "Melmark on the Go" snack cart! | |
Celebrating 25 Years of Mission First Moments! | |
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As of today we are counting:
🎟️ 270 attendees
🎁 91 auction items
💎1 (very fancy) raffle item
🌟4 Mission First Signature Sponsors
🌟1 Andover Sponsor
🌟3 Lawrence Sponsors
🌟6 Woburn Sponsors
🌟10 Stoughton Sponsors
🌟14 Partner Sponsors
🌟6 Friend Sponsors
🎉A total of 44 Sponsors!
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Tomorrow Night is Gala Night!
We are excited to kick off a spectacular Celebration of 25 Years of Mission First Moments at Melmark New England and will be thrilled to see so many of you there!
If you are not able to attend tomorrow night's gala, you can still support by joining us online to bid on an auction item, buy a raffle ticket, or to participate in any of of the donation opportunities listed below offered in celebration of our 25th anniversary:
- Join the 25 for 25 Campaign
- Design a 25th Anniversary Tribute Brick
- Name a Grateful Grandparent or Supportive Sibling
THANK YOU!
All of the details are available at: www.bidpal.net/mnecelebrates25
A sincere thank you to the gala planning committee and MANY volunteers for their dedication and hard work as we prepare for tomorrow evening!
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Reminder: School Calendar | |
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Spring BBQ and Activities
We are excited to share that the June 14th Family Town Hall Meeting will be followed by our Melmark New England Spring BBQ and Activities. Save the date and we'll share more details as we get closer!
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Our next half day is: May 17, 2023 | | |
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NEW: the second book in a series from the EnvisionSMART™ Institute:
Clinical Systems and Programming in Human Services Organizations EnvisionSMART™: A Melmark Model of Administration and Operation
The book is authored by: Frank Bird, M.Ed., LABA , BCBA, CDE®; Helena Maguire, M.S., LABA, BCBA, CDE®; Rita M. Gardner, M.P.H., LABA, BCBA, CDE®; Andrew Shlesinger, MSW, LICSW; and James K. Luiselli, ED.D., ABPP, BCBA-D.
Congratulations, Melmark Authors!
► Click here to read more.
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NEW: Science in Autism Treatment Newsletter!
We are delighted to share that content of the May 2023 issue of Science in Autism Treatment is focused on Melmark.
This special issue features a new interview with Rita M. Gardner, President and CEO of Melmark, in addition to an article authored by Frank L. Bird, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, and his colleagues regarding clinical expertise and medication management. Other articles address important topics such as the role of a Speech Language Pathologist on a treatment team, and more.
The overall issue spotlights Melmark's exceptional evidence-based and applied behavior analytic services and commitment to excellence for 25 years and counting!
► Click here to read the issue!
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NEW in Behavioral Health News:
Overcoming Stigma Through Education and Capacity Building in Communities
Helena Maguire, MS, LABA, BCBA, CDE®
Executive Director, Melmark New England
Maggie Haag, MEd, BCBA, LSW, CDE®
Executive Director, Melmark Pennsylvania
Ashley Benedetto, MS Ed, BCBA
Director, Adult Day Programs, Melmark Pennsylvania
Congratulations, Melmark Authors!
► Click here to read the research article
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NEW in Autism Spectrum News
Teaching Play to Children with Autism
Laura Wilhelm, MS, BCBA, LABA
Director of Early Intervention
Melmark New England
Congratulations, Laura!
► Click here to read the research article
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Conference Presentations! | | |
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Last week Rita M. Gardner and other Melmark leaders presented at the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) Conference and, in addition, Melmark sponsored this year's keynote speakers: Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker* and Dr. Lauren Wadsworth*, speaking on the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (*Authors of the book: "Did That Just Happen?! Beyond "Diversity" - Creating Sustainable and Inclusive Organizations")
600 attendees were present for the talk and provided positive feedback about this and other Melmark-led sessions.
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We are pleased to announce that Mark Smith has been promoted to Clinical Training Coordinator effective May 4, 2023. Within this role, Mark will oversee one residential house clinically and assist with staff training and development across departments. Mark has been with Melmark for twenty years, working in various positions including Lead ABAC, PC, Assistant director of Residential Services. Within these roles, Mark have been in charge of training in various positions within the residential program. Mark displays commitment to a highly skilled workforce through training a variety of topics both at the group and individual levels. Mark possesses his Masters in Autism and ABA from Endicott College and has his BCBA and LABA.
We are happy to welcome Mark to the Professional Development and Clinical Team and look forward to his continued success.
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We are pleased to announce the transition of Alecia Griffin to the role of Administrative Assistant effective May 1, 2023. Within this role, Alecia will maintain support to the Office Manager, Executive Director and Directors of School Services relating to phone, mail services, visitors, correspondence as well as assisting in projects related to clinical, school, residential and professional development services. Alecia has been an ABA Classroom Counselor at Melmark for the past 7 years. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood in 2016 from Rivier University. She hopes to continue learning new skills for her new role. She is happy and excited to join administration.
We are happy to welcome Alecia Griffin to the role as Admin Assistant.
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We are pleased to announce that Leeanne Durkin has been promoted to Interim Lead Special Education Teacher position for Classroom 2. Leeanne was hired as an ABA Classroom Counselor in September 2019 at what was then our vocationally-focused program in Lawrence, MA. She earned her provisional teaching license in severe disabilities at Endicott College and is now pursuing coursework to also obtain BCBA credentialing. Leeanne has floated across many classrooms in addition to assisting in the Adult Day Program. She has a knack for building positive relationships across students, fellow colleagues, and with families. Leeanne exudes commitment and compassion and had an undeniable ability to adapt and adjust to any situation. Before joining Melmark, Leeanne worked at Pentucket Regional School District, holding different positions as a substitute teacher and a teacher in a special education classroom. In this role, she was responsible for implementing student behavior plans as designed by the overseeing BCBA.
Please take a moment to congratulate Leeanne in her deserving new role!
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We have recently welcomed several new staff members in the following positions:
Colin Buckley- ABA Residential Counselor- Lodge
Cecilia Lopez- Adult Day Program Staff
Marco Mendes- ABA Residential Counselor- Oak
Nancy Mercado- Adult Day Program Staff
Hannington Muwanga- Adult Residential Program Staff- Concord
Jamirah Nanyanzi- ABA Classroom Counselor- Andover
Beatrice Nelima- Adult Residential Program Staff- Duplex
Lydia Ogola- Adult Residential Program Staff- Boxford
Stephanie Valente- Adult PC- Duplex
Millady Vann- Adult Day Program Staff
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TIAA Benefit Information for Melmark Employees | |
Below is the May calendar of TIAA events and attached are the promotional flyers. These webinars are open to all and available now for registration in the Live Webinar Lounge (www.tiaa.org/webinars). | |
Health and Wellness Updates | |
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Melmark is committed to enhancing the health and wellness of our employees. As part of our strategic plan, Melmark will be offering employee activities that promote physical health and wellbeing.
Melmark has partnered with Husk which is an exciting new wellness app that offers wellness opportunities in the areas of Movement, Nutrition and Mental Health:
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Whether you're a clinician needing BCBA credits, or you're a parent / caretaker wanting to learn more, check out Melmark's Expert Speaker Series. Melmark facilitates the sharing of knowledge regarding clinically sophisticated, evidence-based practices. All events are streamed to Melmark divisions, so you can attend the location nearest you. | Information regarding speakers in the line-up for 2023: | |
Thank You Generous Melmark Partners! | |
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Effective 10/3/2022, EOHHS updated its congregate care guidance to be consistent with the CDC's guidance for the general public related to isolation, exposures and asymptomatic close contacts. Below you will find links to CDC guidance for the general guidance.
Specifically, in residential congregate care guidance, if a residential student or adult is identified as a close contact, regardless of their vaccination status, they are no longer required to quarantine unless they have symptoms. However, they should wear a mask for 10 days (when possible) to ensure safety for all.
Helena Maguire, M.S., LABA, BCBA, CDE®
Executive Director
Melmark New England
Here, you can find previously published information on Melmark COVID-19 protocols for reference as needed.
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Thank you for your ongoing partnership and collaboration to ensure Melmark's mission-first programs for the children, adults and families who rely on us every day.
Sincerely,
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Rita M. Gardner, M.P.H., LABA, BCBA, CDE® (she/her)
President and CEO
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Helena Maguire, M.S., LABA, BCBA, CDE®
Melmark New England Executive Director
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Melmark's Core Commitments
Unified Culture
Compassionate Care
Integrity in Everything We Do
Highly Skilled Workforce
Evidence-Based Practices
Best Outcomes
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Follow us on social media @MelmarkNE | | | | |
