MAAPS

Coming soon! If you are a referring professional, save the date for this amazing opportunity to meet and learn about special education placement options in the C766 approved schools! Questions? email akane@maaps.org

Just in case you missed it... This month on our "Inside the Corner Office" #podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lesli Suggs, President and CEO of The Home for Little Wanderers. Lesli discusses her career path in social work, which led her to her current role leading the oldest child welfare agency in the US. She also talks about some of the critical challenges that the organization is working to address, from children’s mental health challenges to youth homelessness. Listen now! YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ejq3P2Fi Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eX7iJnjj Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e-9hPtTy

The MAAPS Community mourns the loss of our long time friend and colleague, Ginnie Waldron. Our condolences extend to Ginnie's many friends and family, and to all those who will miss her generous spirit, wisdom and compassion.   HAVERHILL - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Virginia A. Waldron, age 72, on May 23, 2024 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Ginnie will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, her passion for child welfare, her love of cooking and her devotion to her family. Born on March 7, 1952 in Swampscott, Massachusetts, Ginnie was the daughter of the late James F. Waldron and Janette R. Waldron. She grew up in Haverhill, graduating from St. James High School in 1969. She attended UMass in Amherst and went on to dedicate 47 years to social service, advocating for troubled teens and special education students. Her professional journey began at Harbor School, a residential treatment center for teens and continued at The Walker School, improving child welfare and special education programs throughout Massachusetts. Before retiring in 2020, she worked at The Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS), a statewide association of schools dedicated to providing educational programs and services to students with special needs. Her work in these programs offered many children support, hope and a path to a better future. Read full obituary here. https://lnkd.in/eYkqKZzW

Thank you to our hosts at Cardinal Cushing Centers, Inc. for welcoming us last week in their newly renovated auditorium! The Emerging Execs Group enjoyed a special presentation from Sarah Mann, PCC on Executive Presence and leading from "above the line" as outlined by the Conscious Leadership Group. Learn more about Conscious Leadership here: https://conscious.is/

Thank you to our colleagues at Judge Rotenberg Center for hosting a festive lunch and collaborative meeting of MAAPS Admissions Professionals!

MAAPS Honors Excellence in Teaching and Direct Service to Students at Annual Awards Ceremony: Dianne Brady and Vanda Parreira Receive Awards for Their Work Over the Past Year   Hudson, MA - The Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS) this past Thursday, April 25th, held its annual awards ceremony honoring the excellence and dedication of special educators over the past year. Two awards were given out, the Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award. The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Dianne Brady of the Amego, Inc. School for the above and beyond effort that she puts into the education of her students. Robert Lynch, Director of Student Services, who nominated Dianne, said, “Dianne Brady is a true model of what a Special Educator should be. She is truly an outstanding educator who goes above and beyond on a daily basis to ensure that the needs of her students are met.” In addition to the tireless and now award-winning work Dianne does on a daily basis at Amego, she has already received a Sheltered English Emersion endorsement from the Department of Education and is finishing up work on a masters degree. Dianne Brady truly exudes all you'd hope to see in an educator as she exhibits never-ending commitment to learning and proving the best education possible for her students. The Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award was presented to Vanda Parreira of the St. Ann's Home & School for her work as the Unit Director of the Harmony Unit, which is home to the latency aged female residents of St. Ann’s. “Vanda embodies caring and, as a role model to her staff and St. Ann’s community, she has built a true sense of Home for her residents. A place where they can be themselves and build upon small daily successes while they work toward their goals,” said a collective group of staff that supported Vanda’s nomination. Photo credit AK Photography Venue Keith M. Sullivan Wild Hare Medusa Brewing Company

Thank you to our colleagues at The New England Center for Children for hosting a combined meeting of our admissions and communications/development groups to discuss DEI and avoiding ableism in communications! One CEO said, "My team thought it was excellent and returned energized and full of ideas." Special thanks to our hosts and panelists: Beth McGonagle; Fatou Njie-Jallow, MHA, SHRM-SCP; Corrina Riggs, The Guild for Human Services; Lindsay Thelin Wagner, League School for Autism; Lauren Robinson, MBA, Melmark New England

Congratulations to MAAPS leaders Jessica Sassi, The New England Center for Children (Nonprofits Category) and Dr. Jessica Pepple, RFK Community Alliance (DEI Category) and Dr. Kathleen Michels Jordan, FACHE, Seven Hills Foundation for being named to the Worcester Business Journal Power 100: The Most Influential Professionals in Central Massachusetts! #maaps766 #maapsessential #womeninleadership https://lnkd.in/exEYq7B6

Celebrating the work of MAAPS member schools is a great way to start the day!

Great to see so many of our MAAPS colleagues and board members at today’s Profound Autism Summit! https://lnkd.in/efytTeWa