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LEARN Behavioral Opens Doors of New Autism Learning Center in Riverside, CA. No Waitlist and Flexible Hours for Riverside County Families

RIVERSIDE, CA… Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), a provider of LEARN Behavioral, is proud to announce the opening of its new Riverside Learning Center at 6235 River Crest Drive, Suite O/P, Riverside, CA 92507. 

AST is Riverside’s premiere contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) provider of center-based autism services for children ages 1-12 years. The new Riverside Learning Center provides center-based ABA therapy, in-home ABA therapy, school-based services, after school and weekend services, Social Skills Programs, and parent education.

The Riverside Learning Center is a member of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.

Bri Waterbury, M.A., BCBA, Regional Clinical Director for the new location said, “We value being a part of the Inland Empire community and look forward to providing individualized support to help find success for every child in our care.” 

Key features of the Riverside Learning Center:

•    An indoor gross motor area for physical and social development.
•    ABA therapy, which includes a classroom-like environment, unique play-based learning spaces, and one-on-one support.
•    Hybrid schedule, weekend and after-school services.
•    No waitlist and flexible treatment hours to accommodate busy family schedules.
•    Serving children 1-12 years old with personalized therapy plans.
•    Conveniently located and easily accessed via I-215 for families in the region.

The center is now enrolling new clients based in Banning, Corona, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Jacinto, and Temecula with no waitlist and flexible treatment hours.

About AST
AST, part of the LEARN Behavioral network, is one of the nation’s leading providers of compassionate autism care. In addition to the Riverside Learning Center, AST has center-based ABA therapy locations in Victorville, Menifee, and Temecula, CA.

For more information or to enroll a child at the Riverside Learning Center, call (866) 727-8274
or visit https://autismtherapies.com/locations/inland-empire

About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of research-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.

Big Y Honors Between Rounds with “Bakery Partner of the Year” Award

L-R: Micheal D’Amour, President/CEO, Big Y; Nicole Schneider, Senior VP of Retail Operations/Customer Experience, Big Y; Jerry Puiia and Joseph Puiia, founders of Between Rounds; John Fraro, VP of Fresh Foods, Big Y; and Steve Nordstrom, VP of Center Store, Big Y.

MANCHESTER, EAST WINDSOR, SOUTH WINDSOR, TOLLAND AND VERNON, CT… 
Between Rounds, the unique bagel shop and wholesale bagel supplier, has been honored as “Bakery Partner of the Year” by Big Y, one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England.
 
Since 2017, Between Rounds has been providing their own locally-made signature bagels to Big Y Supermarkets. 
 
“It’s a tremendous honor to receive this award,” said Jerry Puiia, co-founder of the family-owned Between Rounds. “Our partnership with Big Y has really evolved over the years. It began with just a handful of stores and now we provide our bagels to all 75 Big Y Supermarkets in Connecticut and Massachusetts. We look forward to expanding our bagel flavor offerings and continuing to serve our locally-made signature bagels to Big Y’s customers well into the future.”
 
Between Rounds was recognized at Big Y’s award luncheon held at the Marriott Hartford/Windsor which honored local partners from every department. The “Bakery Partner of the Year” award was presented to Between Rounds founders and brothers Jerry and Joseph Puiia along with Chris Puiia, the son of Jerry Puiia who is also a future third-generation owner. 
 
“We’re proud to have Between Rounds at Big Y Foods as a local retail partner and are honored to award them our 2024 Bakery Local Partner of the Year,” said John Sheehan, Bakery Sales Manager at Big Y. “This partnership reflects our commitment to investing in local businesses, building strong relationships, and growing together through trust, innovation, and mutual support. What began as a small rollout in select stores has now expanded into six delicious flavors available at all 75 of our supermarket locations.”
 
Sheehan continued, “Between Rounds has worked with us to help minimize pain points for our stores and has partnered with us to develop new flavors, helping us consistently introduce fresh and exciting varieties for our customers. It’s been a pleasure working with the Puiia family over the last 8 years. As a fellow local, family-owned business, we deeply value partnerships that strengthen our community.”
 
For more information about Big Y, visit https://www.bigy.com
 
Between Rounds Wholesale Bagels
The family-owned Between Rounds has been in business for over three decades and is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joseph Puiia, Staten Island, NY natives. Between Rounds has five corporate and franchised bakery café and bagel shop locations in Connecticut and is a wholesale bagel supplier to more than 100 grocery retailers in the state and beyond.
 
The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels, which sets Between Rounds apart from other cafés. Between Rounds has wholesale bagel partnerships with independent, family-owned and multi-location grocery retailers, innovative dairy delivery services, hospitality groups, and others in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Made from the same family recipe for over 35 years now, Between Rounds signature bagels are consistent and meet their wholesale partners’ high-quality standards. All the bagels are locally-produced at Between Rounds state-of-the-art South Windsor, CT headquarters and are delivered fully baked and packaged to their wholesale partners.
 
For more information about Between Rounds’ unique wholesale and franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit https://betweenroundsbagels.com

Home Care Service Providers Concerned by Stalled FY25 Supplemental Funds

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shares deep concern as critical funding for home care services remains stalled in the legislature awaiting final approval and passage. 

OCES is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts.

First proposed by Governor Healey in a supplemental budget filed in early April, this $60 million allocation would alleviate the considerable fiscal challenges being confronted by ASAPs across the state due to substantial deficits in key home care accounts and ensure that the ASAPs are provided with the funding necessary to purchase home and community-based services, according to Mass Aging Access (formerly known as Mass Home Care).

As the ASAP network awaits further legislative action, a $60 million deficit for the final month of FY25 puts ongoing home care services at risk and creates severe cash flow issues going into FY26.

“We are grateful for the months of conversations with our partners in the Executive Office of Aging and Independence and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that pushed this funding out of the Governor’s office,” said Betsey Crimmins, Executive Director of Mass Aging Access. “However, our network remains extremely concerned by the compounding challenges caused by the current budget deficit. Our member agencies must continue to provide the critical services individuals need each and every day, while also making payments to our home care agency partners who employ the direct care workers – but this is not sustainable without additional cash flow. We urge immediate passage of this funding to ensure that ASAPs can continue to provide services and pay their providers without interruption.”

“We are very concerned that home care services which include home delivered meals, personal care, homemaking and behavioral health programs may be jeopardized without additional funding,” said Nicole Long, CEO. “These are vital daily services that support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities in our communities.”

OCES joins with Mass Aging Access in the call for urgent passage of the $60 million in supplemental funding to the home care purchase of services line-item that would reduce unnecessary strain and challenges for essential home care providers across the state. These services are proven to be a fraction of the cost for nursing home stays that maintain the dignity, independence, and safety of Massachusetts’ older adults. This funding is key to the continued stability, consistency, and reliability of these key providers and services.

About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org

“Keeping it Fresh” with Ovtene. Introducing the Future of Sustainable Food Packaging.

Goni, the general manager at Salumeria Italiana in Boston, slices prosciutto and places it in a tidy single layer on customized ByOvtene deli package system. Once a row is complete, the film sides are brought up to neatly cover the meat – and keep it fresher, longer – before the product is folded in thirds and their label attached.

MARION, MA… Food packaging, in general, is not a glamorous item or a trending topic. Until now.

Introducing Ovtene, the next generation of sustainable food packaging solutions.

Designed to keep food fresher for a longer period of time, Ovtene is the first food packaging to restrict the growth of bacteria.
Traditional plastic alternatives are made of 100 percent polyethylene.

Ovtene food packaging has a unique physical structure primarily composed of calcium carbonate and other trace minerals. This reduces the amount of plastic used by 60 percent while conserving resources and reducing waste. Ovtene food packaging is 100 percent recyclable, BPA free, and no trees or water are used in manufacturing.

“Ovtene packaging technology is inspired by nature to extend the quality and characteristics of food products,” explained Salvatore Giglia, Principal. “Ovtene creates a microclimate for food, similar to that of an eggshell. Essentially, it creates a barrier from second level bacteria which ensures the food has a longer shelf life.”
Ovtene is FDA and USDA compliant. The innovative packaging is breathable, yet repels water and grease. It is also washable and reuseable. Ovtene extends the life of deli meats, cheeses, fresh meat, seafood, produce and baked goods.

Created by a collaboration of three food science universities in Italy, Ovtene food packaging meets Europe’s strict regulations. Ovtene is a company based in Italy, with recent expansion to the U.S. and a North America base in Marion, MA.

ByOvtene deli package system
ByOvtene deli package system

Ovtene caters to retailers, distributors and consumers buying direct. Ovtene offers products for all major requirements of food packaging counters – available in a variety of shapes, sizes, thicknesses, sheets, rolls or bags. Custom print options showcase professional brand. Utilized by many specialty and gourmet food markets, delis, retail locations, fish markets and bakeries, Ovtene’s packaging options include Ovtene Rolls, OvteneZero Sheets, BYOVTENE Deli Sheets and Retail Ovtene Bag and Sheets.

Sharon Jorgensen, Principal and Vice President/North American operations noted greater savings and less food waste for consumers who use Ovtene packaging. “A family of four may save an average of $3,500 annually by choosing Ovtene to store their deli items and other perishables. Ovtene extends the shelf life which essentially reduces food waste due to premature spoilage. Not only that, Ovtene packaging is washable, reusable and 100 percent recyclable, thereby reducing packaging waste.”

She continued, “For example, Ovtene’s state-of-the-art food packaging keeps Parmesan fresh for six to nine months. Prosciutto, smoked salmon, gourmet butter and organic foods stay fresher, longer.”

ByOvtene deli package system folded
ByOvtene deli package system

Award Nominee
BYOVTENE, one of Ovtene’s revolutionary food packaging products, has been nominated for this year’s Deli Business Innovation Award. BYOVTENE, which in Italian, means “try Ovtene”, is a revolutionary film specifically designed to maintain the organoleptic characteristics of food.

BYOVTENE trifold deli systems require minimal counter space and the patented box is specifically designed to distribute individual smooth sheets for quick, simple and efficient wrapping of a variety of deli foods. The innovative packaging film maintains the integrity of deli, cheese and smoked fish items even as it is wrapped and unwrapped repeatedly by the consumer.

Deli Business magazine awards will be announced at the Specialty Food Association’s Fancy Food Show held June 29-July 1, 2025 at Javits Center, New York City. Learn more about the awards and cast your vote by visiting https://delibusiness.com/next-gen-deli/

About Ovtene
More than 150 million sheets and bags of Ovtene® are used each day in Italy, Europe and North America in supermarkets, grocery and specialty stores, delis, butchers, fish markets, bakeries, florists, restaurants, retailers and food producers. Ovtene sustainable food packaging is 100 percent recyclable and keeps food fresher, longer through its unique physical structure. To learn more about Ovtene’s unique products and wholesale or retail options, visit https://ovtene.com.

Contemporary Dermatology Announces New Licensed Aesthetician

MARSTONS MILLS, PLYMOUTH AND YARMOUTH PORT, MA… Contemporary Dermatology has announced Meghan Macleod, a Licensed Aesthetician and Certified Laser Technician, has joined their team.

Meghan Macleod

Contemporary Dermatology provides comprehensive dermatology services including medical dermatology, skin cancer treatments and Mohs surgery and aesthetic services at their Marstons Mills and Plymouth locations.

In her new role, Macleod will provide a range of cosmetic services that include Hydrafacial, chemical peels and state-of-the-art laser treatments including Nordlys Platform with Frax Pro and RF Microneedling with MatrixPro.

Previous to joining Contemporary Dermatology, Macleod’s experience includes three years as a Licensed Aesthetician at Laser Aesthetics of Cape Cod, a med spa located in Hyannis, MA.

Macleod graduated from Curry College, Milton, MA in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Education and Teaching – Special Education. Macleod’s passion for skin care led to additional education at Spa Tech Institute of Plymouth where she received Aesthetician Certification in 2020.

A native of Yarmouth Port, MA and a graduate of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, Macleod resides in West Yarmouth, MA. Outside of the dermatology practice, Macleod enjoys running half marathons and supporting charity race events.

Contemporary Dermatology in Plymouth is accepting new patients.

About Contemporary Dermatology
Contemporary Dermatology is a leading provider of comprehensive dermatology services, including medical dermatology, skin cancer treatments and Mohs surgery, aesthetic services and clinical research. Their modern practice is home to the latest technologies that allow their highly trained professionals to focus on treating a wide array of medical skin conditions and cosmetic concerns. The practice’s aesthetic services focus on creating natural-looking results through cutting-edge cosmetic treatments such as such as dermal fillers, BOTOX®, XEOMIN® and more. Innovative laser treatments offered include Fraxel, laser tattoo removal and skin resurfacing.

Contemporary Dermatology’s state-of-the-art offices in The Pinehills and in Marstons Mills serve greater Plymouth, Cape Cod and the Islands. The practice treats patients of all ages. 

For more information, visit www.contemporarydermatology.com or call the Plymouth office 508-224-3800 or Marstons Mills office 508-492-3200.

“March Against Elder Abuse” events to be held in Plymouth and Brockton in June

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is June 15th and “March Against Elder Abuse” events will be held in Brockton and Plymouth, MA. 
 
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), in partnership with the Brockton Council on Aging, the Plymouth Center for Active Living, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office will hold two FREE one-mile marches to raise awareness of elder abuse in June.
 
Brockton March Against Elder Abuse will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 11am to 2pm beginning at the Brockton Council on Aging (COA), 10 Father Kenney Way, Brockton. Registration begins at 10:30 am. Join us for a March down Main Street with a brief stop at OCES and back to the COA for lunch. Registration is required. To register, call the COA at 508-580-7811 or visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/hwsyy7w?mode=preview&source_id=11acad85-5e3d-4587-a47b-48e8c4cd883d&source_type=em&c=
 
Plymouth March Against Elder Abuse will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 11am to 2pm beginning at the Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, Plymouth. Registration begins at 10:30 am. Join us for a March down Main Street (in downtown Plymouth) followed by a light lunch. Registration is required. To register, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/brzkg8s?mode=preview&source_id=11acad85-5e3d-4587-a47b-48e8c4cd883d&source_type=em&c=
 
March Against Elder Abuse events are part of OCES’ WEAAD campaign. These critical events aim to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of elder abuse and promote a safer, more supportive environment for older adults in our community. 
 
“One in 10 older adults aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse according to the National Center on Elder Abuse,” said Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “Elder abuse is known as a ‘silent problem’. It is estimated that only 1 in 14 cases are reported, which is why raising awareness of elder abuse and its signs are so important.”
 
March Against Elder Abuse events are sponsored by Abbott Home Health Care, Inc.  For more information about our sponsor, visit https://www.abbottcare.com/
 
Join the Movement
In addition to March Against Elder Abuse events, other ways to get involved include: sponsorship of these events; sharing educational materials with your networks to raise awareness; and by making a donation to support OCES’ Protective Service Department in advocating for and assisting older adults. 
 
Recognizing Elder Abuse
Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence, 43,617 elder abuse reports were received during Fiscal Year 2024. 
 
OCES’ Protective Services Program staff works with older adults, or their designees, to prevent, eliminate, or remedy situations involving elder abuse. When a report is made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) and the elder resides in our service area, OCES will receive the report and determine if further investigation by a Protective Services Worker is necessary.
 
If you have concerns, please contact your local Protective Services Agency. To report elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275.
 
To learn more about WEAAD, visit https://elderjustice.usc.edu/weaad-home/
 
About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 
 
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org