Family Services for Western Massachusetts
By Stephanie Steed, Vice President of Programs Alison is a reflection of how empathy blended with clinical expertise results in a commitment to do what’s best. Through negotiation and problem-solving, she has helped children and families navigate the child welfare system on their paths to permanency. Alison knows the value of enriching activities and positive …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, November 2022: Alison Mengel"
By: Ginger Cruz-Rosario, Team Lead for Pittsfield Community Connection Beth joined Pittsfield Community Connection (PCC) at the height of the pandemic. She did not let the challenges of social distancing stop her from engaging youth and working to provide the interpersonal connections they so desperately needed in this time of isolation. In the spring of …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, August 2022: Beth Gilbert"
By: Sean Elligers, Artistic Director If you’ve followed Kids 4 Harmony and seen or heard the many students’ achievements, you’ve likely seen or heard of Courtney Clark as well - once the program’s Lead Teaching Artist and eventually the Artistic Director. Since 2011, alongside Alicia Stevenson (the previous Artistic Director), Courtney has been the unstoppable …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, July 2022: Courtney Clark"
By: Alison Mengel, Director of Permanency Healing Homes, 18 Degrees’ foster care program, provides children a welcoming home to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency. As a social worker for Healing Homes, Emily approaches each case by learning all she can to establish that vital relationship of trust with a child and …
By: Alison Mengel, Director of Permanency At a recent monthly Comprehensive Foster Care meeting, the DCF Regional Placement Coordinator began by asking the large group, “What is Andrea Bateman doing that has workers and kids asking for her BY NAME?” Andrea was equally surprised and amused by this story. However, this accolade came as no …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, May 2022: Andrea Bateman"
By: Sarah Kelley, Director of Community Support Programs Let’s hear it for Nancy! Nancy Gomez is an EMPath Peer Specialist, a position she’s held since 2019 – shortly after she completed the program. The Economic Mobility Pathways model (EMPath) is an evidence-based model to help coach families to move out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency. In her …
By: Danielle DeBerry, Program Director, Greenfield Family Networks Aaron Piziali is an Education Coordinator with Greenfield Family Networks. He returned to this position at 18 Degrees in 2017, and since that time, it is clear that Family Networks has been fortunate to have him back. His passion to serve the youth and families within the …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, February 2022: Aaron Piziali"
By: John Cadiz, Director of Human Resources 2021 brought a fair share of transition within our finance team, as we filled the Director of Finance and Senior Accountant positions. Thanks to the steady hands of our payroll specialist and bookkeeper, Diane Simpson, and accounting clerk, Tina O’Brien, everything remained on track with our daily fiscal operations. These two are very deserving of our Staff Spotlight for their …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, December 2021: Tina O’Brien & Diane Simpson"
By: Alison Mengel, Director of Permanency Rachel Slack joined the Adoption Management Systems program in July of 2021 and proved to be a perfect match since her arrival. Creating a permanency plan requires her to work with many people and within multiple systems. Throughout the process, Rachel is responsive, cooperative, and keeps the well-being of …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, November 2021: Rachel Slack"
By: Gina Blake, Vice President for Programs Sharon started with Parents as Teachers (PAT) in 2012 and became the supervisor in 2017. Her passion for helping families, coupled with her supportive leadership style and deep understanding of this evidence-based program, has helped her continue to grow PAT to meet the needs of the families we …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, October 2021: Sharon Collins Newton"
