CHS Opens New Tewksbury Home

News, Uncategorized
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…
Read More

Change of Chief Financial Officer

News, Uncategorized
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…
Read More

Putting the ‘community’ in community-based services

Uncategorized
Mathew Lambert, a Clinical Coordinator at Cooperative for Human Services Inc. makes sure the individuals he serves are connected to all the resources they need to live as independently as possible in the community. He provides clinical supports, schedules medical and dental appointments, even teaches individuals how to budget money and eat healthier. So, when Charlie, one of the people served by Lambert, needed a new roof for his house last fall, Lambert coordinated that too, helping initiate a GoFundMe campaign that raised enough money to get the job done. Volunteers and local businesses donated supplies, services and time because, Lambert explained, Charlie’s a legend in his town. “Whenever we’re out in his community, everyone knows him,” said Lambert, who has worked with Charlie for four years. “He has firm…
Read More

Providing More Services in Wakefield

News, Uncategorized
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…
Read More

From Banking to Human Services: Rewards of Career Change are Priceless

News, Uncategorized
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…
Read More

Introducing Our New Vice President of Programs and Services

News, Uncategorized
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…
Read More

This Little Piggy . . . Came To Jackson Farm!

News, Uncategorized
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…
Read More

Food Pantry Program Expands

Uncategorized
Cooperative for Human Services continues to provide services and supports to an ever-increasing number of individuals in their homes and CHS residential programs. In November 2017, the organization established a Food Pantry to provide people served with no-cost food so that everyone has access to good nutrition and healthy options. Recently, the organization expanded its partnership with the Food Donation Connection, a national non-profit matching company, and began to work directly with two well-known hospitality destinations, The Cheesecake Factory and Chipotle Restaurants, Burlington, MA. These partnerships increase the company’s ability to offer pre-cooked food and dinner entrees to individuals who may have poor cooking skills or are attempting to successfully manage a meager food budget. The Food Pantry continued to expand its food distribution this summer when the organization doubled…
Read More

CHS Expands Acquired Brain Injuries Services into Urban Setting

Uncategorized
The Cooperative For Human Services opened its second home to support individuals with Acquired Brain Injuries. The residence, located on Highland Avenue in Malden, MA, is occupied by individuals from the local area which affords the residents opportunities to spend more time with friends and families as well gain easy access to the vibrant, active urban culture offered by the city of Malden. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house applies all the best practices in assessable design to accommodate people with assistive medical devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and mechanical lifts. The home’s layout includes a solarium where individuals can visit with guests or just enjoy a quiet space for reading and a self-serve coffee/tea bar in the kitchen area. Financially and clinically eligible individuals in the ABI Waiver program funded by…
Read More

Prader-Willi Syndrome Residential Program Available Soon in Andover, MA

Uncategorized
Families affected by PWS, in partnership with Cooperative For Human Services, are planning to provide person-centered services in a newly renovated home. About the Services   The five-bedroom, three bath colonial home is located in the heart of beautiful Andover, Massachusetts within walking distance of town activities and civic resources. Supports provided include highly-trained 24-hour direct care, transportation, an experienced Clinical Supports team, healthcare coordination and nursing care, and service coordination with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Program offers a “food safe” environment. Collaborate to customize and design person-centered services to meet the unique needs of your family member with Prader-Willi Syndrome.  Support services are flexible to anticipate change and choices, customized and designed to provide a full life.  Great opportunity for a parent adviser role…
Read More