Unleash the Power of The Press

admin

BCI Appoints New Regional Director in Springfield

Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, has announced a new Regional Director for Greater Springfield.

Bianca Sims

Bianca Sims, M.S., BCBA, LABA has been promoted to Regional Director of Greater Springfield and will supervise, train and provide oversight of all onsite and offsite programs. BCI’s Springfield location has 11 Behavior Analysts and 47 Behavior Technicians on staff and they are currently expanding their team.

Sims, who is  a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts, joined BCI in 2018 as one of the first Behavior Analysts providing Early Intervention and ABA services for the agency’s Springfield area. She was then promoted to Assistant Director of Professional Development, to oversee the coordination and development of training, including new hire training.

Sims holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Educational Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She received a Master of Science in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT. Previous to BCI, Sims was a Behavior Analyst for Area Cooperative Education Services (ACES) based in North Haven, CT.

In addition to BCI, Sims is an ABA Supervisor through Bay Path University, supervising continuing education cohorts including BCI’s. She is a member of Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavior Analysis (MassABA) and Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).

Early Intervention and ABA Services in Springfield

At BCI’s 90 Carando Drive, Springfield center, BCI provides Early Intervention services to families throughout greater Springfield. Their Early Intervention services are designed to assist infants and toddlers (birth to age three) in making significant strides in their development. These services are targeted, evidence-based, tailored to their needs, and usually provided in the home.

BCI also offers center-based, insurance-funded ABA services for children over age three. Center-based services include an Intensive Day Program for preschool-age children, as well as an After-School Program and a Saturday Social Skills group for school-age children.

About BCI

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Worcester, BCI has grown to become the go-to provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families throughout Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com.

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at https://www.learnbehavioral.com/.

BCI Appoints New Regional Director in SpringfieldRead More

OCES Announces Special Holiday Meals in December at Community Dining Sites in Brockton, Kingston & Wareham

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, will offer special holiday meals at several community dining sites in December.

OCES has planned delicious holiday meals which will be served at various times at the following community dining sites:

A “December Holiday Special” will be served at the Kingston Senior Center, 30 Evergreen Street, Kingston on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. The meal features roast pork with apple glaze, whipped sweet potato, green bean almandine, dinner roll and butter, and pumpkin pie for dessert (or diet sugar-free pumpkin pudding).

On Thursday, December 19, 2019, the December Holiday Special will be served at the Brockton COA, 10 Father Kenney Way, Brockton and also at the Wareham Council on Aging (COA), 48 Marion Road, Wareham.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling each town’s COA directly.

Daily Meals at Community Dining Sites

OCES’ community dining sites provide hot, nutritious meals Monday through Friday to adults age 60+ and individuals with disabilities under the age of 60. Meals are planned by a nutritionist and meet one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for major nutrients. The meals do not include high sodium foods and no salt is added. Low-fat milk is provided.

Community dining information is published in COA newsletters and on OCES’ website at http://www.ocesma.org/. A sample menu may be requested by calling OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES Announces Special Holiday Meals in December at Community Dining Sites in Brockton, Kingston & WarehamRead More

Donation of Gloves and Mittens encouraged by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island.

Dr. Carlyle Smart and Dr. Michael Gottfried of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island display some of the early mitten and glove donations to the “Healing Hands” drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island. 

 

The program continues through January 31, 2020.  Donations can be dropped off at participating chiropractic offices throughout Rhode Island.  For a complete list of participating chiropractic offices, please visit https://bit.ly/358m95M.

 

For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

Donation of Gloves and Mittens encouraged by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island.Read More

Think, act and grow rich. Mansfield, MA-based seminar shares entrepreneur hacks.

What is your New Year’s business resolution? Are you thinking about and doing the right things to make your business the most successful it can be?

A complimentary workshop entitled “Think, act and grow rich. Entrepreneur hacks” is set for Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 6:00-7:30PM at the Mansfield Bio Incubator, 241 Francis Avenue, Mansfield, MA.

The workshop will explore four strategies for thinking critically about your business to help it to grow and thrive.

• What is your next best move? Where is your business on the business life cycle and what are the implications for its future success?
• Are you focused? How do you keep your focus on your vision, goals, projects and actions?
• Are your employees your biggest asset? Do your employees embrace change? If not, what is causing their reluctance and how can you change it?
• What makes your business different? Knowing what makes you different and finding ways to exploit the differences can dramatically improve performance.

The workshop will be led by Dominic Grew and Lisa Levesque who are certified business coaches and trainers with FocalPoint International Coaching & training.

Grew has more than 25 years of proven business development experience, building, growing and leading change, primarily in financial service companies. Dominic earned a Masters in Management from Cambridge College. Dominic is originally from Belfast , Northern Ireland, but today calls Sharon, MA home, where he lives with his wife and three children.

Levesque is a leader in business productivity and has helped Fortune 500 companies reduce costs while increasing revenue and gaining market share. Lisa is a graduate of Boston College, with a degree in Accounting and earned an MBA from Babson College. She resides in Foxboro, MA with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.

Please RSVP for the event at EventBrite at https://bit.ly/33RRacF. For more info, contact Steven V. Dubin at SDubin@MyPinnacleNetwork.com or 781-582-1061.

Think, act and grow rich. Mansfield, MA-based seminar shares entrepreneur hacks.Read More

Erica Kusz appointed to Behavioral Concept’s leadership team in Worcester

Erica Kusz

Erica Kusz, M.S., BCBA, LABA has been appointed to Behavioral Concepts’ (BCI) leadership team in Worcester as Assistant Clinical Director. She is a resident of Holden, MA.

BCI, a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, is meeting the need for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers in the Worcester area by providing specialty Early Intervention ABA services for children ages three and under, as well as Center and home-based insurance-funded ABA services for children over age three.

In her new role, Kusz is one of three assistant clinical directors who oversee BCI’s Center and home-based insurance services and the team of Behavior Analysts in the Worcester region. Kusz will also be responsible for restructuring the curriculum and supervising BCI’s four program coordinators. She reports to Jessica Stott, M.S., BCBA, LABA, Regional Director of Greater Worcester.

Kusz, who is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts, joined BCI in 2015 as a Behavior Analyst. In 2018, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Early Intervention Services for BCI’s Worcester region and is now the Assistant Clinical Director of the Worcester Region. Kusz holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication, Sciences and Disorders (speech pathology) from Worcester State University and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

Kusz’s experience prior to BCI includes serving as an ABA Lead Therapist and Group Coordinator at Nashoba Learning Group, a private school for children with autism in Bedford, MA. Previous to that, she provided speech therapy at a public school.

She is a member of Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT).

About BCI

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com.

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at https://www.learnbehavioral.com/

Erica Kusz appointed to Behavioral Concept’s leadership team in WorcesterRead More

Emerson Bearing Boston Shares Expert Insight on Optimizing Bearing Performance in New eBook

Emerson Bearing Boston, a bearing company catering to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) markets around the world for over 60 years, shares their expertise on optimizing bearing performance and extending bearing service life in their new eBook.

Emerson Bearing’s new eBook entitled, “Increase Bearing Service Life and Optimize Performance”, addresses common bearing hazards and provides solutions for how to avoid them. 

In many machine environments, contaminants such as dust, moisture, chemical residues, and powders frequently prevail. Protecting bearings from fine granular contamination should be a high priority to enhance performance and increase service life.

In the eBook, Emerson Bearing expands on a number of topics including: How to select the best bearings to maintain system reliability; common bearing hazards in today’s industrial environments; and how to extend bearing service life.

Steve Katz, president of Emerson Bearing

“Protecting bearings from contamination should be a high priority to enhance performance and increase service life,” explained Steve Katz, president of Emerson Bearing Boston. “In fact, preventing bearing contamination is the most effective way to minimize repair delays and facility downtimes.”

To learn more about best practices for protecting bearings, download Emerson Bearing’s “Increase Bearing Service Life and Optimize Performance” free eBook from their website: https://www.emersonbearing.com/maintenance-failure-analysis/

Emerson Bearing serves 16 major markets and their team of experts help customers find the right bearing for their specific application and requirements. For questions, contact Emerson Bearing at 800-225-4587.

About Emerson Bearing Boston

Founded in 1957, Emerson Bearing Boston specializes in bearings for OEM and MRO markets throughout the world. The company provides solutions to a variety of industries including: aggregate, concrete, mining, machine tools, electric motor repair, marine, material handling, metal processing, packaging, food processing, paper converting, printing, wind/power generation, recreation, heavy construction, robotics, automation, transportation, wood products, wastewater treatment, pump, compressor and oil field.

Emerson Bearing Boston offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings – ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing Boston has become a leading provider of bearings in the U.S. They are the sister company of Action Bearing and maintain headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, visit www.emersonbearing.com or call 800-225-4587.

Emerson Bearing Boston Shares Expert Insight on Optimizing Bearing Performance in New eBookRead More

BCI Sponsors and Presents at 40th Annual BABAT Conference in Worcester

Dr. Candice Colón-Kwedor, BCI’s Director of Professional Development and Research and BABAT board member, chaired the symposium

Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, sponsored and presented at Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT) 2019 Annual Conference & 40th Anniversary Celebration held at the DCU Center in Worcester in October.

BABAT is an affiliated chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA). Their conference is the largest professional conference in the Northeast. As the largest provider of insurance-funded Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Early Intervention services in Massachusetts, BCI was proud to be the Presenting Sponsor.

In addition to sponsoring the event, the BCI team presented research titled “Treating Automatically Maintained Vocal Stereotypy: Benefits Beyond Decreases in Stereotypy” as part of a symposium on the assessment and treatment of stereotypical behavior. BCI’s Behavior Analyst Sheri Morse contributed to this collaborative research project between the New England Center for Children (NECC) and BCI. Meagan Cannon also contributed to and presented the research on behalf of BCI.

Dr. Candice Colón-Kwedor, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, BCI’s Director of Professional Development and Research and BABAT board member, supervised this research and chaired the symposium.

“It is wonderful to work for a company that fosters applied research to ensure that we are contributing to and disseminating best practice methods for the children we serve. BCI is also heavily invested in strengthening the quality of our professional community as evidenced by sponsoring an esteemed professional organization like BABAT,” said Dr. Colón-Kwedor.

“As the largest provider of insurance-funded ABA and Early Intervention services in Massachusetts, BCI was pleased to present this important research and support BABAT as the Presenting Sponsor at this esteemed event,” said Brian Doyle, Ed. D., BCBA-D, Regional Vice President.

ABA – One of the Fastest Growing Fields

ABA is concentrated in Central Massachusetts and one of the fastest growing fields. To meet the demand for behavioral services for children with ASD and their families throughout Massachusetts, BCI addressed an industry-wide workforce shortage in board-certified clinicians by partnering with Bay Path University to provide an on-site graduate and continuing education program for BCI staff members at the company’s Worcester location. BCI has forged similar, successful education opportunities for their workforce through their partnerships with Assumption College and Quinsigamond Community College.

BCI is looking to partner with other colleges in Central and Western MA, to offer their staff additional continuing education opportunities.

About BABAT

BABAT is an affiliated chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts. Formed in 1979, BABAT is perhaps best known for the annual conferences it has hosted at UMass (Amherst) every year for over 30 years. BABAT also serves as a resource for behavior analysts and those interested in behavior analysis in MA and the larger New England region. To learn more about BABAT, visit https://babat.org.

About BCI

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com/.

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at https://www.learnbehavioral.com/.

BCI Sponsors and Presents at 40th Annual BABAT Conference in WorcesterRead More

OCES Focuses on Emergency Fund on #GivingTuesday

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 is #GivingTuesday and Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) has joined the #GivingTuesday movement to raise money for their Emergency Fund.

OCES, the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County, invites the community to join the #GivingTuesday movement and support their Emergency Fund program. The fund enables OCES to help individuals in Plymouth County who need support to remain living safe, independent and healthy in the community.

OCES’ Emergency Fund helps meet the needs of at-risk low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities who are in a crisis or emergency circumstance that threatens their health and/or living situation. OCES’ Emergency Fund supports dozens of consumers throughout the year who are struggling with unforeseen emergency events by providing necessities such as heat in the winter, nutritious food and life-sustaining medications.

OCES’ goal is to raise $10,000 this year through #GivingTuesday, as the number of individuals needing assistance from their Emergency Fund increases each year.  

To make a donation to OCES’ Emergency Fund online, visit www.ocesma.org/donations/

Donations may also be made by check or money order and mailed to OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301. #GivingTuesday donations will be accepted through December 31, 2019.

To encourage others to join the #GivingTuesday movement and support OCES with a donation or by volunteering, share it on social media platforms using the hashtag #GivingTuesday and #OCESGIVESBACK.  

“All money raised during #GivingTuesday goes to OCES’ Emergency Fund, which makes a critical difference in the lives of our consumers who are facing emergency situations,” said Long. “By supporting OCES’ Emergency Fund, donors are ultimately giving back to their neighbors in the community.”

Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday, visit www.givingtuesday.org.

For more information, call OCES 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES Focuses on Emergency Fund on #GivingTuesdayRead More

OCES Holds Special Donor Appreciation Event

Nicole Long, CEO

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) honored their generous lifelong donors at their first Donor Appreciation Event and Celebration held in October.

There were 64 donors, OCES board members and staff in attendance at Barrett’s Fireside Grille in Middleboro, MA to celebrate philanthropy and the longevity of OCES.

Diana DiGiorgi, Chief Operating Officer at OCES kicked off the event with a presentation about the organization’s 45-year history and past achievements. Nicole Long, OCES’ Chief Executive Officer, spoke about the vision for OCES and future goals. Nicole stated that the first task is to shift our perspective on what aging means. It isn’t about healthy “aging”. It’s about healthy LIVING.

Lifetime Donor Appreciation Awards 

OCES recognized The George Curtis Trust with the “Legacy Award” for their contributions of more than $360,000 in their lifetime giving to OCES. The Howard Home Fund was acknowledged with the “Steward Award” for their contributions of over $170,000 in their lifetime giving to OCES. A special individual “Steward Award” was presented to James Mileski of West Bridgewater for donating over $19,000 to OCES.  

“On behalf of OCES, we would like to thank our generous donors for their continued support over the past 45 years,” said Long. “We greatly appreciate all of our donors, as their assistance enables us to carry out our mission of supporting the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities through the provision of essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.”

To learn more about ways to support OCES, visit www.ocesma.org/donations.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

###

OCES Holds Special Donor Appreciation EventRead More