Category: News

The human service workforce shortage continues at a crisis level in Massachusetts. This has led to housing consolidation by some provider organizations due to a lack of trained staff to fill 24/7 services. Cooperative for Human Services (CHS) was asked by the Department of Developmental Services to receive three individuals supported by another local human services provider into CHS care and the organization responded to meet their residential placement needs. CHS identified a house in a quiet Tewksbury neighborhood that had already been renovated and expanded into a two-family home with an in-law addition and partnered with a long-time CHS investor who purchased the property and provided the company with a multi-year lease opportunity. The solar-powered house was modified to return it back to a single family dwelling. CHS converted it…

Cooperative for Human Services announced that Glen Charney, Chief Financial Officer, will retire from the organization after 17 years of service. Glen and his family have relocated to Virignia. Glen will remain with CHS through June 2023 to facilitate a transition of the Business Office and pending financial functions. Deanna Asselin has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and joins CHS with nearly twenty years of non-profit financial leadership experience. This includes direct collaboration with Commonwealth funders such as the Department of Developmental Services and her background encompasses State contract management, fiscal policies and a working knowledge of DDS regulations. In past roles, Deanna implemented electronic accounting software applications and is looking forward to seek out new opportunities to automate CHS financial processes wherever possible. She directs the CHS Business Office…

Cooperative for Human Services Inc. is always willing to provide care and assistance in any way possible. Recently, MA Department of Developmental Services requested that CHS assume responsibility for the management and operation of a home in Wakefield. With collaboration between DDS, and another local human services provider, services to the home were transferred to CHS effective December 1, 2022. The cooperation between the three organizations ensured a seamless transition for the young women residing at the home. CHS staff worked closely with each family during the transition period building strong, supportive and productive relationships. The result of this successful collaboration and transition means the individuals are able to remain in their beautiful, fully assessable home with uninterrupted services and the continuation of their quality care. Additionally, it is expected that…

Lou DiRupo has three words for everyone considering a big career change: “Follow your heart.”  When the longtime commercial banker joined Cooperative for Human Services as an Individual Support Services (ISS) Manager, the change was both intimidating and invigorating. “Working in a corporation meant I had to do what I had to do for my family, grind it out at the bank for a long time,” said DiRupo, who worked with several nonprofit organizations in his time as a banker. “I really respected the work that those organizations accomplished, and always had it in the back of my mind that at some point in my life or career I would like to be a part of something like that. It got to the point where the kids grew up and left…

During the darkest moments of the pandemic our organization was still finding unique ways to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families, expanding and developing supports, services and programs. With the continually increasing demand for support services and for expansion, to strengthen and to position the organization for future growth and to meet the challenges ahead, it was determined by the CHS Executive leadership team together with the CHS Board of Directors, that a new leadership position was necessary and would be added. That decision led to a national search, led by a third-party recruitment agency. The search presented several strong candidates giving the leadership team a solid assortment of leaders to select from. We are excited to introduce Amy Miner-Fletcher, from Massachusetts. Amy joined CHS as Vice…

Welcome to two-year-old Mamie, the newest member of Cooperative for Human Services’ small animal therapy team, based at Jackson Farm. Along with Rambo the rabbit and our three new baby guinea piglets, April, May and June, Mamie is a one-of-a-kind Vietnamese pot bellied pig. She epitomizes the values of CHS -- a gentle, friendly being who is working to achieve a fulfilling and inspiring life that encompasses community and healthy lifestyle. As a baby, Mamie was shipped from her breeders in Texas to live with a family in Franklin, MA. Unfortunately, her owners did not know how to care for a pot bellied pig, so she was not given outdoor space to exercise, root, or wallow, and was fed doughnuts, cookies, and fast food.  At 200 pounds, her owners could…