Massachusetts
Group Living Services For Adults
Group Living Services
Our Group Living programs are available in the North Central, Southern and Western regions of Massachusetts. We provide individualized, holistic, evidence-based services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have significant challenging behaviors related to autism spectrum disorders, mental health disorders, and problematic sexual behaviors.
Group Living is designed to:
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Improve the quality of care for individuals with Intellectual and developmental disabilities who have medical and/or behavioral health needs.
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Services and Supports are delivered to individuals in a trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner based on program goals and best available evidence of service effectiveness.
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Provide assessment and recommendations regarding diagnoses, medication, and treatment.
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Provide a safe home-like living environment while utilizing evidence-based treatment methods.
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Promote each individual’s right to self-determination and self-advocacy.
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Provide education and training to caregivers and support teams.
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Expand access to mental health services.
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Enhance and improve each individual’s acquisition of skills through comprehensive assessments, personal goal development, and consistent implementation of Individual Service Plans.
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Prepare individuals to transition along the continuum of care to the be supported in the least restrictive setting in their local communities.
Shared Living Services
We provide services throughout the State of Massachusetts for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders.
Shared Living provides supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the residence of a qualified, contracted provider. The Shared Living home is a cooperative sharing of space and supports between adults, where an individual becomes part of the fabric of the provider's life, family, home, and community. Shared Living providers may assist with daily living skills, budgeting, cooking, medication administration, and transportation. We welcome individuals currently receiving DDS funding wishing to explore an alternative to group home living.
Management Staff
Kristen Wood
Director of Residential Services, South Region
Kristen has her Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She joined the LifeConnections team in 2022. Kristen has over twenty years of experience working with State of MA DDS, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities residing in 24-hour group living arrangements. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog. She enjoys going to the beach, bike riding and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mandy Adao
Director of Residential Services, South Region
Mandy serves as the Director of Residential Services which includes the oversight of six homes. She comes to LifeConnections with an associate degree in psychology and 17years experience in the human services field. Mandy is a lead PABC trainer and trains all of our new hires in proper restraint techniques as well as how to deescalate emergency situations. Mandy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, anher two granddaughters.
Malinda Quintal
Director of Shared Living Services
Malinda Quintal has her Associate's Degree in science. She has over twenty years of experience in the human services working with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses. Malinda is passionate about ensuring the people we serve are living their best lives. Malinda’s current role is overseeing the shared living program while also expanding program development. Malinda currently lives in Massachusetts with her daughter. She enjoys spending time at Six Flags New England and Lake Winnipesaukee with her family.
Adam Sears
Director of Compliance
Adam has worked in developmental services for close to ten years. He has seen growth in his career since beginning work with LifeConnections, and has held a variety of roles, including Program Coordinator, overseeing multiples staffed residences. Adam has always looked for challenges and career growth and is particularly excited by the opportunity to move into Compliance, assisting other programs to maintain a high level of administrative rule compliance. In addition to his role as Director of Compliance, Adam is the Human Rights Committee (HRC) Coordinator and trains staff in First Aid and CPR.
Makayla Hill
Lead Clinician
Makayla Hill holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health from Rhode Island College. She has a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience and training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Trauma Informed Care, and is a certified Grief Informed Professional. Makyla has been working in various mental health settings providing clinical and operational support for the last 15 years. A major focus for her has been providing and teaching trauma informed care. In her current role, Makayla is able to combine her passion for helping those who have experienced trauma, her clinical expertise and her love of working with people. Makayla is always stiving to create and streamline clinical processes and trainings to empower staff and the individuals she supports. When Makayla is not advocating for those she supports she is spending time with her family and two dogs.
Craig Wagner
Director of Facilities
Craig oversees the facility operations throughout Massachusetts. He is responsible for the day to day maintenance of facilities and manages risk as it relates to safety concerns. Prior to his role at LifeConnections, he managed his own construction business for over thirteen years. In his spare time, Craig can be found driving his motorcycle or coaching youth sports. " A total committment is a paramount to reaching the ultimate in performance".
Rick Woods
HR Business Partner, North Region
Rick brings decades of experience in a variety of HR leadership roles including positions in higher education, health care and social services in both public and private settings. In his current role, he partners with operational leadership regarding pay administration, benefits, leave management, employee relations, investigations and ensuring compliance with company policies and practices as well as employment laws.
Rick holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at University of Massachusetts.
Carrie Cullivan
HR Business Partner, South Region
Carrie has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and over 12 years’ experience working in the human service field ranging from youth to geriatric with a wide range of diagnoses. She has worked for Becket/Life Connections since 2020. Carrie, throughout her career, has experience in many roles – supervisor, management, compliance, investigations, and most recently, human resources. Carrie not only has a strong compassion for our employees but also for the individuals being served at LifeConnections. They deserve the same opportunities as anyone else, and most importantly, they deserve to live their life to their best potential, with no judgement. Carrie lives at home in South Shore, MA with her husband Shawn, three kids – Shane, Kayleigh, Cody, and their dog Maverick, a goofy German Shepherd. In her spare time, you can find Carrie exploring the outdoors with her dog, photographing nature, or just spending time with her family.
Charlene Jiles
Director of Talent Acquisition
Charlene has an Associate degree in nursing, Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and Human Resources, as well as a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration. At the age of 50. she decided to pursue a PhD in Health Policy Management. Charlene has a variety of experiences and jobs on various Naval Bases and within the community, including Direct Care Staff, College Admissions, and Healthcare Recruitment. Charlene has two wonderful children, Andrea (a classical dancer) and Austin (music teacher) who live in Virginia and Florida since both claimed to not like the cold and snow. She is happy to be a part of the LifeConnections team and the wonderful, caring and compassionate work we do with our clients.
Contact us today:
107 Scott Drive
Leominster MA 01843
Phone: (978) 534-0812
Fax: (978) 534-0814
Contact us today:
Address:
60 Rogers Street
Suite 2
Manchester NH 03103
Phone:
(603) 625-8825
Fax:
(603) 625-8875