Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction

The first annual charity golf tournament to benefit the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), an accredited, private special education day school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and challenging behaviors in Central Massachusetts, was a hole in one – raising $30,000 for the school.

CABI’s “1st Annual Achieve Golf Tournament”, held at Blackstone National Golf Club in Sutton, was the non-profit school’s major fundraiser of the year, and the funds go to directly enhancing and enriching the educational program for students with autism.

Golfers began the day with complimentary breakfast by Gerardo’s Bakery followed by  the scramble type tournament, a golf clinic with Club Pro and various golf skills contests. After the tournament, attendees enjoyed a delicious steak and chicken dinner reception at the clubhouse, which included locally sourced produce from Foppema’s Farm in Northbridge. A silent auction and raffle rounded out the evening.

CABI was founded in 2013 by the school’s directors, Jeffrey Robinson, Ph. D. and Brian Doyle, Ed.D., BCBA-D, who have more than 60 years of cumulative experience in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis.

“Thank you to our golfers, sponsors, families and friends for supporting our mission and making our inaugural event such a tremendous success,” said Dr.Robinson. “The funds raised will ensure that CABI is able to continue to deliver on our commitment to providing the best-practice behavioral and educational programming to children and young adults with autism. CABI believes that every child, given the right tools, resources, and environment, has the potential to achieve the possible and live a more independent and fulfilling life.”

CABI would like to thank their generous sponsors: Behavioral Concepts (BCI); HR Knowledge; Prime Building Inc.; Leonard, Mulherin & Greene, P.C.; Webster First Federal Credit Union; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; Body Armor; Gerardo’s Bakery; 1st-String Embroidery & Graphics; Kelleher and Sadowsky; Family Perspectives Inc.; 19th Golf and Grill; My FM Radio; among others.

Save the date for CABI’s Second Annual Achieve Golf Tournament which will be held at Blackstone National Golf Course on Monday, August 19, 2019.

About CABI

The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI) is a private elementary and secondary school that addresses the needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and challenging behaviors. CABI utilizes scientifically-based Applied Behavior Analysis treatment for children and young adults with significant educational and behavioral needs. The center is located at 345 Greenwood Street, Suite 3 in Worcester, MA. For more information, visit the website at http://www.cabiautism.org or contact the school directly at (508) 363-0201.

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The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), an accredited, private special education day school for students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors in Central Massachusetts, has appointed two Head Teachers.

Erica Soucy, a resident of Worcester, and Jenna Olson, a resident of Spencer, have been promoted.

Ms. Soucy joined CABI as a Behavioral Instructor and has been with the organization for a year and a half. She has been promoted to Head Teacher, supporting four students between the ages of 13 to 16 years old. Ms. Soucy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rivier University in Nashua, NH and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Special Education/Severe Special Needs at Fitchburg State University.

Jenna Olson joined CABI nearly two years ago as a Behavioral Instructor. She has been promoted to Head Teacher and supports five students ranging in age from 17 to 20 years old. Mrs. Olson received a Bachelor’s degree from Worcester State University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Special Education/Severe Special Needs at Bay Path University in Sturbridge, MA.

CABI’s teacher to direct staff to student ratio is 1:4:8. This 1:2 ratio ensures that their students are maximally engaged in academic content throughout the school day. To learn more about curriculum and classroom instruction, visit http://www.cabiautism.org/educational-approach.html.

About CABI

The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI) is a private elementary and secondary school that addresses the needs of students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors. CABI provides an educational option utilizing scientifically based educational treatment for children and young adults with significant educational and behavioral needs. The center is located at 345 Greenwood Street, Suite 3 in Worcester, MA. For more information, visit the website at http://www.cabiautism.org or contact the school directly at (508) 363-0201.

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The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), an accredited, private special education day school for students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors in Central Massachusetts, collected 158 pounds of food in a holiday food drive to help those in need of food assistance.

CABI held their first annual holiday food drive in December to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB). Led by Elizabeth Rostron, BSN, RN and Instructional Assistant Meagan Trujillo, CABI organized the successful food drive collecting 158 pounds of nonperishable food donations over a one-month period.

The effort came about from an exercise with the students about what giving means during the holiday season. The students expressed an interest in helping those in need. With the help of the CABI staff, they identified the Worcester County Food Bank as their charity of choice.

Rostron and Trujillo mailed letters home to families, reached out to neighboring businesses and took to social media to spread the word about the cause. A donation box placed in the front lobby of the school quickly filled out with food from friends and family of the school.  Each week, the staff had to empty the boxes to make room for more donations piling in.

Rostron and Trujillo, along with a couple of students, made the trip to Shrewsbury to personally deliver the donation. This was a very proud moment for the CABI students as they experienced what giving back means and how they can directly impact their community.

CABI received a letter and certificate from the WCFB which acknowledged the students’ efforts and explained that the 158 pounds of food would serve 131 meals for individuals and families in the community.

“We are so humbled by the donations from CABI’s family and friends for our first holiday food drive,” said Rostron. “Even more so, we are beyond proud of our students for participating in the program and their true interest in giving back to their community. Each student brought a different value to this program whether it was through experience, their studies, or their compassion for helping, and we look forward to implementing future community programs.”

About CABI

The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI) is a private elementary and secondary school that addresses the needs of students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors. CABI provides an educational option utilizing scientifically based educational treatment for children and young adults with significant educational and behavioral needs. The center is located at 345 Greenwood Street, Suite 3 in Worcester, MA. For more information, visit the website at http://www.cabiautism.org or contact the school directly at (508) 363-0201.

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The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), an accredited, private special education day school for students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors in Central Massachusetts, has relocated to an adjacent building at 345 Greenwood Street, Suite 3 in Worcester, MA.

An Open House at the new location will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with officials from the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and CABI staff will conduct tours of the facility. Attendees will hear testimonials from students and parents and there will be a presentation of yearbooks. Light refreshments will be served.

Expansion and Increased Enrollment

Previously, CABI resided at 345A Greenwood Street, occupying an (approximate) 4,000 square foot space within Behavioral Concepts (BCI), providers of ABA Services for children and young adults with autism.

CABI recently doubled their student enrollment and the new location enables the center to expand and increase capacity. The school is now accepting applications for students ages 6 through 22 who reside in communities within a one-hour radius of Worcester.

CABI was founded in 2013 by the school’s directors, Jeffrey Robinson, Ph. D. and Brian Doyle, Ed.D., BCBA-D, who have more than 60 years of cumulative autism and ABA experience. Drs. Robinson and Doyle utilize a hands-on approach to the operation of the school and education of the students, providing direct supervision of all academic and behavioral instruction developed and implemented by the highly credentialed staff.

“Through CABI, we are able to address the needs of a population of students needing highly specialized instruction by providing the highest quality of individualized educational services,” explained Dr. Robinson, CABI Executive Director. “We are committed to maximizing each student’s potential.”

CABI’s curriculum utilizes the frameworks of Applied Behavior Analysis as the basis for its instruction. The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks are integrated into their educational approach. Students receive differentiated instruction in math, science, language arts, history and social sciences, the arts and physical education. Students at CABI receive instruction through a variety of modalities.

Classroom teachers are licensed special educators and several of the teachers are also licensed as Board Certificated Behavior Analysists. Each classroom of eight students are clinically supervised by a BCBA. In addition, CABI provides direct service and consultation by appropriately credentialed and state licensed professionals. A Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Registered Nurse are on-site and available to provide IEP services on a daily basis. A licensed Clinical Psychologist and Physical Therapist are available for direct and consultative services on an as needed basis.

About CABI

The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI) is a private elementary and secondary school that addresses the needs of students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors. CABI provides an educational option utilizing scientifically based educational treatment for children and young adults with significant educational and behavioral needs. The center is located at 345 Greenwood Street, Suite 3 in Worcester, MA. For more information, visit the website at http://www.cabiautism.org or contact the school directly at (508) 363-0201.

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