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Kevin Russo, M.A.- Kevin is owner and President of the Corporation, and one of the original founders of the company. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports/Fitness Administration and a minor specialization in Sports Psychology from UMASS Boston in 1988. Coursework included : Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology, Fitness Appraisal and Design, Measurement and Evaluation of PE/Athletics, Sports Psychology and Nutrition. Kevin also received a Master's Degree in Critical and Creative Thinking ( a component of the Education/Counseling and Philosophy Department) from UMB in 1996. His Master's thesis (published and copyrights 1996) was on Applying Critical and Creative Thinking to Sports Psychology and Motivation. Kevin's relative coursework included: Advanced Cognitive Psychology, Foundations of Philosophical Thought, Multiple Perspectives in the Classroom, Education Curriculum and Design, Moral and Social Issues, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Educational Intervention, Issues in Educational Evaluation. Kevin's professional career includes health club management for 10 years, Director of Residential Supports for the Department of Mental Retardation (where he worked for 16 years), Director of Day Programs for South Norfolk County Association for Retarded Citizens (SNCARC), and High School Wrestling Coach for over 20 years. Kevin has coached 3 different teams to their best years ever, and retired in 2008 with almost 300 wins. He returned as Head Coach of the Watertown Wrestling Team for the 2010-2011 season and was also named Middlesex League Coach of the Year. He has been selected as Coach of the Year on several occasions, and he has coached over 20 of the state's best wrestlers. He serves on the Massachusetts Coaching Executive Board for High School wrestling and he is also a veteran official for the sport as well. Kevin was a competitive natural bodybuilder from 1987-1990, competing only in drug-tested contests. He competed in the Atlantic Coast Supernatural Bodybuilding Championship in Union, N.J. in 1998 and later qualified for a National Competition. While working at DMR, Kevin served as a Labor Relations Hearings Officer, and he has also served on several Human Rights Committees over the years. He worked at Franciscan Children's Hospital as a Mental Health Specialist for 2 years, and he also worked at the Weaver Center as a Fitness and Behavioral Consultant prior to embarking on the ARISE journey. He received much of his behavioral training and experience at Franciscan's, such as Crisis Prevention training, Crisis Management, Behavior Plan implementation, and the facilitation of Anger Management, Coping Skills, and Behavior Modification groups. He is also a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Kevin has successfully completed the Florida Tech Online ABA Program and has received both his Basic Series and Advanced Series Certificate. He will be taking the BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification exam in 2012. Elissa Noonan- Elissa graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a BA in Psychology. She received her Masters in Education in School Counseling from Bridgewater State College with a concentration in PreK-8th grades in May of 2005. She worked in the Physical Education Department at the Sharon Middle School as a full time substitute from February 2003 to June of 2004. She currently works as a school guidance counselor for the Dudley Public Schools. Prior to that, she was a guidance counselor at the Concord Middle School. Elissa works for ARISE as a Behavioral/Life Coach. She is a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Roxanne Babigian, PT-Roxanne Babigian attended Sargent College at Boston University where she received her B.S. degree and certification as a physical therapist. She works at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and is currently in the outpatient clinic there. She also consults with the Norwood Public Schools through ARISE. Roxanne consulted for three years at the Charles River Association for Retarded Citizens where she worked with clients with a variety of physical and mental disabilities. Her areas of interest include orthopaedics,pediatrics, sports injury, personal training and women's health issues. She has been with ARISE since 2003. Dr. John Passarini-Dr. John Passarini brings an insurmountable amount of experience to the company. He has a B.S. in Physical Education from University of Connecticut, M.Ed. in Health and P.E. Administration from Cambridge College, a C. A. G. S. (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies) in Therapeutic Recreation from Boston University, and a Doctorate (Ed. D.) in Special Education, also from Boston University. He has been a teacher for 34 years, and he was one of the most successful wrestling coaches in the history of Massachusetts. He was the founder of the Massachusetts Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and he was certified as a strength and conditioning specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. "Coach Pass," who coached Kevin Russo in High School, was nominated and won the National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the year (2000) as well as the Disney Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (2003). He threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox game on September 1, 2004. Dr. Barbara Miller-Dr. Barbara Miller received her Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, in 1968, after finding her passion in the field of psychology. She then earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill in 1973. Her interest in learning disorders was kindled during her studies. Upon graduating, she was selected as the school psychologist for Concord Public Schools. In addition, she became the school psychologist for the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District, covering both areas for six years. In 1987 she made her final transition to Concord Middle School. In 1998 she also was appointed as the Chairperson of the Concord Middle School Special Education Department. In 2003, her home state decided to honor her achievements by naming her as the Massachusetts School Psychologist of the Year. In 2007, Tufts University presented her with an Outstanding Supervisor and Mentor Award for her many years of commitment to training graduate students in school psychology. In her capacity as school psychologist, Dr. Miller performed evaluations of students and helped design individual education programs or 504 Plans; provided consultation to parents and teachers to help them better understand different learning styles; and worked with students in individual or group counseling situations, particularly around social skills difficulties. As the department chairperson, she oversaw the development and operations of special education programs; supervised and evaluated special education teachers and guidance counselors; and stayed up to date with changes in special education law. Dr. Miller has been very active in the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association, of which she is the immediate past president. She is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists. She is a licensed educational psychologist, a licensed school psychologist, and a nationally certified school psychologist. She is married and has two daughters. Dr. Miller retired from Concord and public school service in June, 2007, but her passion for her work lives on. She is available to perform extensive psychological evaluations in order to provide a neuropsychological profile of the client and identify the processes that underlie such disabilities/disorders as Specific Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other attentional disorders, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Cognitive Disorders, Executive Function Disorder, and Emotional Disorders. Her years of experience with a wide array of young people allow her to distinguish normal developmental issues from true disorders and to identify strengths as well as weaknesses. In addition, Dr. Miller is available to participate at Team meetings at the school, collaborate and consult with other professionals, and provide support services (consultation and counseling) to parent and child. Jennifer Monaghan-Jennifer Monaghan is both an experienced certified adjustment counselor and special needs teacher. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology, Special Education and Elementary Education from Marist College. She attended UMass Boston, majoring in Mental Health Counseling, and received her Master's Degree in Education in 2002. Jennifer has worked as a mental health counselor at Help, Inc, and as a teacher at Westwood Lodge Hospital and the Lighthouse School.Jennifer worked at the READS Academy as a school adjustment counselor for several years before joining ARISE. Jennifer joined the ARISE staff in 2006. Pamela Y Linskey-Pamela Yung received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in 1998. Pamela's career began in the human services field in 1998. Her expertise primarily focuses on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental challenges. Currently employed as a Developmental Specialist, Pamela's role involve being a Team Manager, Special Needs Educator and trainer for newly hired Program Specialists. Pamela joined ARISE in 2011. . Christine Woodland-Christine Woodland graduated from Providence College in May 2007 where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She has worked as a teacher's aide at an Integrated Preschool Summer Program working one on one with children with disabilities. She also volunteered for three years at the Perkins School for the Blind where she worked with visually impaired children. She currently works at the New England Center for Children with children with autism in the residential program, the school inclusion program and taught at the school in Abu Dhabi for a year. She graduated from Simmons College with a Master of Science in Education- Severe Special Needs. She is currently an Education Coordinator at NECC and is taking classes through Western New England College for a certificate in Applied Behavior Anaysis. She is a licensed special education teacher in Massachusetts and also works as substitute teacher for the Westwood Public Schools servicing students with Autism through the Partnership Program with NECC. Christine provides life skill support to individuals serviced through ARISE. John Kelley-John Kelley joins ARISE with a background in Social Work. He received a BA from Westfield State College in both Sociology and Social Work. He works for the Department of Social Services in Cambridge, MA. John has worked with children in a variety of capacities including,camp counselor, middle school wrestling coach, and as a group leader at Youthcare; a summer therapeutic program. John is working as a Behavioral/Life Coach for ARISE. He is a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Jennifer Alosso- Jennifer Alosso attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology with a certificate in Criminal Justice. She is currently a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Jennifer also works as a residential counselor at the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Institute at McLean Hospital, and is a volunteer at the national office of the OC Foundation. Jennifer started with ARISE as a Life Coach in 2006. She is a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Heather Conlan- Heather Conlan received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Framingham State College and her Master's of Education from University of Massachusetts at Boston, She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. (BCBA) Heather is currently a Clinical Director for Charles River Association for Retarded Citizens (CRARC, serves as CO-Coordinator for a Regional Peer review Committee as well as a Human Rights Officer. She is trained in CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) Heather has presented numerous studies at conferences on developmental disabilities and as been in the field since 1995. She has been with ARISE since 2007.In her spare time, Heather enjoys soccer. Diane Dempsey- Diane Dempsey received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from University of Massachusetts and her Master's Degree in Education/School Guidance Counseling from University of Massachusetts. She currently works as a Guidance Counselor at Minuteman Regional Vocational High School. She is a certified School Guidance Counselor in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and has worked as a Guidance Counselor in both states. Diane is a member of the Massachusetts School Counselor and Northeast School Counselor's Association. She also is a Diversity Trainer. John Randall- John has been working in administrative and clinical positions for over twenty years. His areas of clinical expertise include behavioral programming and developing environmentally realistic and responsive supports. His administrative background includes developing and implementing organizational behavior management strategies, staff training, strategic planning, budget analysis and (re)development, identifying potential organizational efficiencies, and working with private and public sector agencies to optimize organizational systems and service quality. John is the founder and president of Best Clinical Network, Inc. This organization provides an array of empirically validated clinical supports to children and adults in a variety of settings. John is also the CEO and president of Amego, Inc. This organization has been in existence for over thirty-five years providing complete life-cycle support to individuals affected by autism and other developmental issues. John sits on professional boards, peer review committees, and human rights committees for several organizations with similar missions. He holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Education and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Jyllian Shoor M.S., C.C.C., SLP- Jyllian Shoor is a certified Speech and Language Pathologist with over twenty-five years of diverse experience in Pediatrics. She received a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Ithaca College, Ithaca NY. Shoor also holds a degree in Muscular Therapy from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, Worcester MA. Bancroft is accredited by the MA Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. The program is licensed by the Department of Education as an allied health school. Shoor owned and managed Heart and Hand Therapeutic Massage in Foxboro MA. Her therapeutic approaches are creative and energetic. She presently owns and manages Jyllian Enterprises L.L.C. located in Lexington MA. Pamela Woolfrey- Pamela received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Sacred Heart University in 2005. Pamela went on to gain valuable experience with individuals with various challenges and special needs. Her work primarily focused on individuals in private home, residential, hospital and school based settings . Pamela is an experienced special needs educator and personal care attendant for individuals with behavioral issues, developmental disorders, learning disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and mental retardation. Pamela attended the Boston School of Occupational Therapy at Tufts University, earning her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree in 2009. Pamela's knowledge of applied behavior analysis, client-centered care, task analysis, environmental adaptations and assistive technology are strengths in her position at ARISE. Pamela began working at ARISE in 2009. Kacie M. Burregi- Kacie received a Bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders from Louisiana State University. During her work at Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation and the Children's Montessori House, Kacie worked with several individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or developmental disabilities. Kacie then received a Master's of Science degree from Northeastern University while working at The New England Center for Children and has been a Board Certified Behavior analyst since 2007. The New England Center for Children provided Kacie with experience in residential care, day programming, in-home care, as well as experience in the Staff Intensive Unit. Kacie has provided in-home care for several families in the New England area. Her respite work allowed her to take individuals swimming, horseback riding, ice skating and other leisure and recreational activities. She currently works as a Behavior Clinician at a day and residential facility for children and adolescents with ASD, developmental delays or mental health diagnoses. She frequently attends conferences and workshops to stay up to date with current research in the field of Behavior Analysis. Michelle Graham- Michelle Graham received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Framingham State College and her Master's of Education from University of Massachusetts at Boston. She also earned a certificate in Non Profit Management from Lasell College. Michelle is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. (BCBA) Michelle worked as a production foreman for Charles River Association for Retarded Citizens for 3 years. She then became the Assistant Director of Clinical Services for the May institute for 1 year before being promoted to Director of Day Services. She has been in her current position since 2006. Michelle is also a PMT trainer (Psychological and Physical Management techniques) as well as a CPR/ First Aid Trainer for The May Institute. Michelle began working at ARISE in 2009. |