Annual Report 2023

2023 Annual Report

A Year of Dancing, Walking, Running, Working, and Flying

Board of Directors

Mike Ferry, Chair

Michael Lyon, Vice Chair

Bruce Marzotto, Treasurer

Thomas J Hamel, Esq , Assistant Treasurer

Dr. Mark Pettus, Clerk

Board Members

Linda Carnevale

Kathy Clark

Douglas Craighead

Eric Harlow

Anthony Mazzeo

Bob Sinopoli

Joanne Spence

President & CEO

Kenneth Singer, CEO

Maryann Hyatt, President Officers

Blanca Durant, Chief Financial Officer

Kristi Nastars, VP Human Resources

Moving BCArc Forward with Lessons of the Past

We learn from crises It exposes your strengths and weaknesses And we adjust. This year was less about the COVID crisis, and more about how we perform in its aftermath. Some programs returned in full form, and some implemented new approaches.

Staff battled against a COVID resurgence, which they knocked back pretty quickly because this time we had policies and systems in place for responding -- and an experienced and determined staff

We saw the return of our live events and full community engagement. This is critical to our field of human services. BCArc thrives on personal contact and community engagement. Returning to this has brought new energy to the work -- for individuals and staff

The entire Agency faced internal and external reviews, licensing, and accreditation -- at the state and national levels -- and earned the gold standard for excellence and best practices. For this, the staff can be proud.

For many of the individuals we serve, BCArc staff are their families And for them we celebrate holidays and special dates in their homes and other program settings with festive meals and all the holiday cheer they deserve. Many individuals know the family members of their staff, share in the achievement of their children and have watched them grow up. We have multi-generations of staff committed to the BCArc mission.

Providing direct care can never be called easy But this kind of hard work provides extraordinary rewards The stories of achievement -- of reaching goals -- that we hear from direct staff are inspiring

Next year will bring new challenges. We plan to expand some of our programs, improve where needed, and most important, stay healthy. Staffing remains the chief issue -- we have yet to return to the staffing levels prior to COVID While we have made some progress recruiting staff this year, we have to continue to recruit smartly and aggressively, and of course retain our talented staff.

It is the honor of a lifetime to lead this Agency. With the staff we have, supported by great managers, the individuals BCArc serves are in great hands Our systems are strong, finances are sound, and the individuals own our hearts. BCArc can expect another great year of successfully serving the individuals and families of Berkshire County Arc

CEO President

BCArc's Im pact on Com m unit y

$1.8 m illion

Am ount BCArc paid int o t he ret irem ent plan of it s eligible em ployees

$4 m illion

Am ount of ext ra pay t o st aff for bonuses, w eekends, and m ore -t o com pensat e hard w ork.

$29,000

Am ount aw arded t o BCArc em ployees for referring new hires -$430 on average

49 Num ber of st aff prom ot ed t his year.

208

$3.3 m illion

Am ount BCArc paid t o support it s em ployees for healt hcare coverage

$1.4 m illion

Size of t he pay raise st aff received -- a 5% increase for m ost st aff

Num ber of people BCArc hired t his year.

800

Num ber of people BCArc em ploys

BCArc 2022 Revenue and Expenses

In the Community, In

BCArcAthletes won numerous medalsat the Special Olympics.

BCArcArtists returned to their artwork and were featured in theCATA calendar.

DanceClasses resumed at the Center for Development, returningto Open Forum.

The Northview program volunteered at the Pittsfield DogPark, openingthisyear. TheCityawarded special accolades to theteam.

TheSummer SeriesGroup learned self defenseat Miner Combat.

Individualsparticipated in a statewidewalkto support people with brain injuries.

Person, Eager to Engage

Transitionsmembershelped plant and harvest at Gideon'sGardens.

Pete, at FenwayParkwith Roxyand Brooke, showed off a foul ball given to him bya nearbyYankeesfan.

BCArcCo-opsresidentspainted a utilityboxin Pittsfield to send the upliftingmessageof "SeetheGood."

Educating & Celebrating Staff, Partners, & the People BCArc Serves

Golf Classic

More than 40 teams -- 165 golfers -- came out to play, eat, network, win prizes, and raise more than $46,000 for BCArc.

Buddy Walk

More than 700 community members gathered to express support, enjoy music, win prizes, and create awareness for Down Syndrome.

Staff Appreciation

Dozens of staff and programs were recognized for their achievements

Annual Meeting

In person once again, Individuals were recognized, along with Agency staff, for hard work, resilience, and reaching goals

BCArc Highlights from 2022

Day Programs returned to pre-COVID OPEN AIRprogramming. Dancing, art, music, and field trips are back.

Re-opened Saturday Program for children -now serving elementary and middle school students.

Hiring continues to increase since COVID began -- hired more than 200 people this year. All new hires are vaccinated as of this year

Adult Family Care program gained 17 families, where BCArc supports the caretakers who live with the individuals.

The Family Support program prepared to open an evening program for young people in transition.

Expanded offices in Pittsfield and Westfield to accommodate the needs of Nursing, Staff Development & Training, and Human Resources.

The Master Special Needs Pooled Trust added 40 new accounts -- $2 5 million -- bringing the total for the account above $12 million.

An enhanced orientation for new staff from one day to four days consolidated training through the year.

Fight ing for St aff

Ken, CEO, spent count less hours fight ing for st at e and federal funds t o enhance services and secure t he pay t hat t he st aff deserve.

Hired more than 200 people this year, creating new opportunities -with benefits --for Western Mass residents.

Earned the gold standard for excellence and best practices from state and national licensing and accreditation reviews this year. For this, staff can be proud.

Zip 'N Sort Continues Full Service for 50+ Businesses

Sue Badger Awarded BCArc Employee of the Year

Sue has supported the individuals at her residential program for over 30 years Sue stays at the program to do whatever is needed This may include training new staff, taking open shifts, ordering medications, attending medical appointments, or grocery shopping

Zip 'N Sort brought back individuals to help their business, providing mailing and fulfillment services across the region for more than 55 businesses -daily -- including Berkshire Medical Center, Health New England, Wheeler and Taylor, Greylock Credit Union, and Lee Bank www zipnsort com

She supported the house during the passing of an individual, and welcomed a new individual into the home BCArc is fortunate to have such a dedicated employee.

BCArc's Footprint Increases Along With Needs of Disability Population

Day Programs

Offices

Pittsfield

Residential Programs

Brain Injury Community Center

Springfield

Recognizing Staff Achievements

Carol Craighead Mission Award - Gayle Leroi

Outstanding Administrative Employee - Kate Hood & Caroline Eldred

Outstanding Employment Services - Kristen George

Outstanding Brain Injury Services Award - Nicole Steinmetz

Outstanding Family Support/Advocacy Employee - Jill Wollins

Outstanding Day Program Employee - Talesky Xicotencatl

2022 Employees of the Quarter

Annual Awards

Staff members through the year are nominated by their coworkers each quarter for their exemplary work, such as filling critical shifts or keeping individuals safe during a trying time

Quart er 1

Suzanne Badger

Joshua Moro

Queen Caesar

Jennifer McNulty

Beverly Tobin

Vernita Reid

Michelle Dawson-Macchi

Kathy Beaudin

Quart er 2

Bryce Remillard

Dennis Messana

Michelle Porter

Jessica Frimpong

Leon Siklossy

Connie Degasse

Quart er 3

Christopher Carrigan

Latasha Brown Young

Kathy Bradley

Deb Wagner

Kristen Myers

Madison Curtin

Inspired to Walk at 70

Quart er 4

Daizialie Cruz

Lasheika Moody

Maureen Marion

Samuel Milandou

Tiffany Rodriguez

Molly Najimy

Sharon is 70-years-old, non-verbal, and has not walked for more than 10 years ? until she met Deshauntae ?I had never done anything like this job, and had no idea how to relate to her,?Deshauntae remembers. "I started noticing details. I saw how she held her own weight during the transition from the wheelchair to the bed. So I started pressing her to reach more goals."

Sharon didn? t like this pressure at first, but Deshauntae pressed on ?Eventually, she just started going for it. Now she walks to the kitchen, pulls out her chair. You can see the pride on her face.?

?Sharon lights up when Deshauntae enters the room,?Tracy, the program's manager said ?I?ve never seen her connect with anyone like the two of them do It?s that connection that has motivated Sharon to walk like this.?

20 Years at Greylock Federal Credit Union, Holly Looks Forward to More

Say ?Holly?at Greylock Federal Credit Union?s Allendale offices, and you are bound to hear a nice story from an employee about their experience working with Holly.

?It?s been 20 years,?said Kate Gelinas, Assistant Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager at Greylock. ?She?s the kind of employee we all want ? someone who asks for more when her workload gets light, someone who appreciates being here.?

?She?s always smiling, always a bright spot in the office,?said Mike Jerome, Vice President, Deposit Operations. ?We are lucky to have her."

?The best part of the job is being around such nice people,?said Holly ?If I need something, I know I can just ask for help. Everyone here is eager to help. I?m sure there are workplaces where people don? t feel this ?

Em ploym ent Spot light

In the Direct Operations Department, Holly services the branches with scans, indexing, and mailings to members ? sending information on promotions, special announcements, and routine mailings ?The time always goes fast here,?Holly said.

?She?s the kind of employee we all want ? someone who asks for more when her workload gets light, and appreciates being here.?

"At Greylock we are proud of a staff that reflects the population of our members and the entire community,?said Mike. ?This means having an inclusive, diverse workforce ?

Holly commutes to and from work with the public bus system.

?The people who work with Holly are always very helpful to her,?said Holly?s mother, Ronnie. ?She always feels supported She?s very fortunate to work at such a great place.?

Holly?s job is supported through BCArc?s Employment Services, a program that supports and employs dozens of individuals with disabilities.

?Her coworkers have always made her feel welcomed,?said BCArc employment manager Regan Tyer ?They are very considerate of Holly and make sure that she has a good working space It?s been a great match for everyone ?

?Greylock has been a great partner for BCArc on so many levels,?said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc?s President ?They are a great asset to the Berkshire community.?

Several

Hollyat her Swim-a-thon. Many sponsored Hollyat $1 a lap, and did not expect her to swim 100 laps.

Hollywith co-workersfrom theDeposit OperationsDepartment

Greylockcolleaguescheered on

Hollyhastraveled to Boston to advocateto legislatorson behalf of peoplewith disabilities.