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e-Newsletter
For Melmark 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 on the first and third Fridays, each month.
In this Issue:
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Mission Moments
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Upcoming Events: Adult Services Christmas Carnival 12/12, Andover Day School Holiday Shows 12/13, Autism Eats Brunch with Santa 12/15, Stoughton Day School Holiday Show 12/19
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Calendars and Family Reminders: Upcoming Early Release Day & No School, Upcoming Scholastic Book Fair 12/9 - 12/13
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Family Satisfaction Surveys Results
- Staff Holiday Bonus
- Research and Publication Updates
- Call to Action
- Annual Clothing and Textile Drive
- Staff Updates
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Student Illness Reminder: Notice Regarding Respiratory Illnesses
- Residential Notes
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Mission Moments
We are proud of our students' and adults' accomplishments and look forward to sharing more of their exciting journeys and achievements. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our mission.
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We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, love, and cherished moments. At Melmark, the holiday spirit was in full swing! Our day school individuals enjoyed a fun and festive Thanksgiving Spirit Week, embracing the season with gratitude and smiles. Meanwhile, our residents gathered for a joyous Thanksgiving dinner, creating special memories together. | |
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Our Stoughton students took Thanksgiving prep to the next level! Some of our amazing Stoughton students made a shopping list, went to the store, and purchased Thanksgiving food items to try. Our students did self-checkout, scanned and bagged all items, and helped pay.
Next at school, we tried a taste of butternut squash, mashed potatoes, cornbread, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Each student expressed if they liked or disliked the food and checked it off on their own sheet. Students brought these sheets home to share with their families all the new foods they tried and what they might want on their plate during Thanksgiving at home!
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A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Parent Advisory Council for organizing a wonderful Staff Appreciation Breakfast! Your support and thoughtfulness remind us of the incredible community we’re a part of. Here's to celebrating the hard work and dedication of our Melmark New England team! | |
We are bursting with pride as we celebrate Lucas' recent graduation! His hard work, dedication, and bright spirit have truly inspired us all. We wish him every success in his future endeavors and know he’ll continue to achieve incredible things. Here's to a future as bright as his smile! | |
Individuals from our adult program meet at least monthly for their Human Rights Meeting. These gatherings are a fantastic opportunity to discuss meal preferences, plan exciting outings, and learn about topics like financial responsibility and advocating for their personal choices. Through these meetings, individuals develop important skills and strengthen their voices, ensuring their needs and preferences are heard and respected. Way to go, everyone! | |
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Attend this year's Autism Eats Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 15, 2024! This inclusive event is a wonderful opportunity for families to celebrate the holiday season in a sensory-friendly environment.
🎟 Tickets are available now! Visit the Autism Eats website to reserve your spot today.
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Calendars and Important Family Reminders | |
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Early Release Day and No School Reminders!
⮕ There is no school Tuesday, December 24th - Tuesday, December 31st. Happy Holidays!
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Book lovers unite! Melmark is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair on-site at our Andover Day School next week, December 9th – 13th. Check out all the info here! Students will have the opportunity throughout the week to visit the Book Fair to make purchases. All purchases made through the Book Fair support Melmark. Students can shop without cash thanks to Book Fair eWallet. To set up an eWallet for your Melmark student, click here. | |
Family Satisfaction Surveys | |
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Thank You for Your Feedback!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents and guardians who participated in our recent family satisfaction surveys. Your input is invaluable as we continue to enhance the quality of our programs and services.
Here are the completion rates for the surveys:
- Adult Residential Program: 97%
- Adult Day Program: 92%
- Stoughton: 80%
- Andover Children's Day Program: 72%
- Children's Residential Program: 86%
Stay tuned for updates on the feedback we’ve gathered and the steps we’ll take to make meaningful improvements. Your voice helps us provide the best possible care and support for your loved ones!
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Research and Publication Updates | | |
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We are excited to share a recent research article co-authored by Shawn P. Quigley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CDE®, Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Thomas Zane, Ph.D., BCBA-D, and Abraham Graber, Ph.D. The article, Ethics Discourse in a Recurring Journal Format: A Proposal to Increase Ethics Discussion and Supports for Ethical Decision-Making, examines how ethical standards can vary within professional groups like behavior analysts, despite established codes. It identifies a need for recurring ethics discussions in behavior analysis literature and proposes guidelines for a structured, ongoing discourse in journals to support the profession. | | |
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We are excited to share a recent research article co-authored by Shawn P. Quigley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CDE®, Maggie Haag, M.Ed., BCBA, LSW, CDE®, Lindsay Bly, M.S., CCC-SLP, Frank Bird, M.Ed., LABA, BCBA, CDE®, and Rita Gardner, M.P.H., LABA, BCBA, CDE®. The article, Ethics Dialogue: Spelling to Communicate as a Treatment Recommendation, presents an unconventional case study and commentaries published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, distinct from traditional peer-reviewed studies. | |
Collaboration: The Path to Better Outcomes
Presented by Dr. Mary Jane Weiss
About The Webinar: Autism is associated with a wide variety of needs, and most autistic individuals benefit from the expertise of multiple professionals from different disciplines. Comprehensive needs are best addressed through comprehensive care; interdisciplinary care is essential. Coordinating the perspectives and recommendations of different professionals can be challenging and requires an understanding of each profession’s unique expertise and contribution to collaborative care. In this presentation, we will explore some resources that can help guide treatment decisions in team contexts, particularly when there may be concerns about the extent of evidence available on the effectiveness of the intervention. Common scenarios will also be reviewed, as well as strategies that can be used to build skills in collaborative work. Connections to the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, considerations, strategies, and practical examples will be highlighted throughout the presentation to broaden the repertoires of attendees. Please scroll down for the registration link.
Cost: $25.00
Continuing Education: 2.5 BACB Ethics CEs for completion (no additional cost).
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will describe the need for and the advantages of an interdisciplinary approach to care.
- Attendees will list several resources and strategies for obtaining information about interventions, including about the evidence that exists about its effectiveness.
- Attendees will explore common scenarios and identify potential solutions regarding treatment paths.
- Attendees will identify how the Ethics Code can guide efforts to promote collaboration.
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We have one final opportunity to advance the recognition and support of direct support professionals (DSPs) through the bipartisan “Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act” (H.R. 2941 / S. 1332), which requires the Office of Management and Budget to consider a separate category within the Standard Occupational Classification system for DSPs.
Thanks to the advocacy efforts of people like you, and advocates across the country, this critical legislation passed unanimously in the Senate this year. More recently, it also passed unanimously in the House Education and Workforce Committee. We are very close to full passage of the legislation, but we need your help to move it forward for a vote in the full House of Representatives.
This is a crucial moment that we cannot let slip away. The bipartisan support this legislation has received demonstrates the shared understanding of the vital role DSPs play in our communities.
Take Action Now! Your Representative needs to hear from you today. Click on the image above or at THIS LINK to send a message urging your Member of Congress to support H.R. 2941/S. 1332 on the House floor. Every message counts in showing broad support for this issue and ensuring this bill moves forward.
Thank you.
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Relationship Expands with Epilepsy Foundation | |
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We are excited to announce that while we are not conducting a formal clothing and textile drive this month, the Epilepsy Foundation has placed two community donation bins that Melmark New England will benefit from all year long! One is located at the entrance to Brake and Clutch, 105 County Road, Ipswich and the other will be conveniently located close to MNE on River Road. Stay tuned for an announcement when that donation bin is active and drop off clothing, shoes, linens, and other textiles to donate in support of MNE. The more donations each bin gets, the bigger the monthly donation to MNE. Spread the word to family and friends.
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We have recently welcomed new staff members in the following positions:
Ami Njihia - Adult Day Program Staff
Brittany Mello - Registered Nurse
Josephine Twum - ABA Counselor
Kyra Gaboury - ABA Counselor
Ruth Raymond - ABA Counselor
Shawn Swindell - Lead Special Education Teacher
William Bakkabulindi - Adult Residential Program Staff
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We have recently said goodbye to Melmark staff members in the following positions and wish them the best in their future endeavors:
At the Andover Campus and surrounding day and residential programs and Early Intervention:
Derik Swenson - ABA Counselor
Bernard Muna - Registered Nurse
Janifer Vieira De Andrade - ABA Counselor
Ashiraf Bukenya - Adult Residential Program Staff
Jazmyn Mason - ABA Counselor
Victoria Mercado - ABA Counselor
Gaelle Fils - ABA Counselor
Rafael De Souza - ABA Counselor
Edgar Ssentongo - Adult Residential Program Staff (Overnight)
Brianna Coe - Registered Nurse
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We are pleased to announce the promotion of Aixa Rivera Torres to Workroom supervisor of workroom 1 at the Adult Day Program! Aixa is currently obtaining her Bachelors in Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University. Aixa began as an ABA Counselor at the Adult Day Program in November of 2022. Aixa brings a positive sense of team work and energy to the program, and demonstrates a great sense of ownership over her case management responsibilities and compassion towards the individuals. Aixa’s on-going dedication to the individuals’ and commitment to Melmark’s Mission is evident.
We look forward to Aixa’s Professional Development! Please join us in congratulating her in her promotion!
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Notice Regarding Respiratory Illnesses
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has recently reported a significant increase in the number of cases of both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis. This is consistent with the increased number of respiratory viruses we have observed here at Melmark, including diagnosed cases of pneumonia requiring medical attention. Mycoplasma Pneumonia is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue. Mycoplasma pneumonia is spread from person to person primarily via respiratory droplets.
Hand washing and respiratory hygiene are therefore crucial for preventing spread. Please be diligent in supporting basic hygiene practices including covering coughs and sneezes, performing thorough handwashing, and sanitizing materials. We also ask that staff mask when symptomatic and strongly encourage wearing masks when working with students who are exhibiting any symptoms. Individuals should not attend school or work if they have a fever over 100 degrees or if they have symptoms of a contagious illness without clearance from a doctor.
There is plenty of PPE available for staff, including masks, and we can provide more across locations as needed. We truly appreciate your support in this matter as well as everything you do for our students and adults every day. Please see below for additional resources and reach out if you have any questions.
Resources
· CDC: Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infections Have Been Increasing https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/mycoplasma-pneumoniae-infections-have-been-increasing.html
· CDC: Clinical overview of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections https://www.cdc.gov/mycoplasma/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html
· MADPH: Pertussis advisory https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/mycoplasma-pneumoniae-infections-have-been-increasing.html
· CDC: Clinical Overview of Pertussis https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html
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Parents: As we strive to maintain a healthy and safe environment, we kindly remind you to keep a vigilant eye on your child's well-being. If your child exhibits any symptoms of illness, such as fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, we urge you to keep them home. This precautionary measure not only safeguards your child but also helps prevent the potential spread of illness within our school community. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Nursing Department, email: nursing@melmarkne.org. Thank you. | | |
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Look ahead at our schedule of planned outings for Melmark New England Residential Programs for Adults and Children! | |
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Weekend LOA Reminder
Please remember that in order to plan for the weekend and allow nursing ample time to pack medications, all LOA plans for the weekend are due to the residence by Wednesday evenings. Please be timely in getting this information to them as requested. Thank you in advance!
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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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Katie Salvatore, M.Ed., LABA, BCBA
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 | | | | |
