Charles River Center
59 East Militia Heights Dr.
Needham, MA 02492
781-972-1000
info@charlesrivercenter.org
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©2022 Charles River Center. All rights reserved. Website Design by Compete Now.
Let’s get to know Tim
Tim Bulman has been very busy during his eight-year tenure at Charles River Center! His diverse range of roles –he started as Program Director at Marked Tree Road, was then promoted to Residential Director, served as Staffing Coordinator with Human Resources, and is now Project Coordinator –highlights his versatility and adaptability within the organization. As Project Coordinator, Tim plays a crucial role in managing staff scheduling across the agency and contributing to various initiatives, including staff appreciation week, planning the Annual Awards Celebration, overseeing an in-house vaccination clinic, and coordinating the Annual Giving Tree. It’s noteworthy that Tim’s enthusiasm extends beyond his “official” responsibilities, as evidenced by his role as the founder and manager of the Charles River Center Staff Fantasy Football League. The most rewarding part of his job? Knowing that whatever he is doing, he is helping to make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve. Working on the most recent Annual Awards Celebration was especially gratifying for Tim- seeing both staff and individuals that he has worked with over the years being awarded and celebrated, knowing he helped, in small ways, contribute to their success.
Outside of work, Tim enjoys spending time with family: his wife, his eight-year-old son, their two dogs, and guinea pig. He enjoys watching football (and participating in the CRC Fantasy League) and tries to get a round of golf in when he can.
We are so grateful for Tim’s enthusiasm and adaptability – he is truly a valued member of the Charles River Center community.
Time to meet Denilsa
Let’s get to know Deinilsa, or “Nilsa,” as she is affectionately called by the individuals she works with. Deinilsa has been working at Charles River for six years. She started working at the Grugan Center, spent some time at Strathmore Road in Natick, and now serves as a Case Coordinator at one of our Day Program, which operates out of a residential home in Sharon, MA.
Moving between programs has had both its rewards and challenges, according to Deinilsa. “When you move from one program to another, the individuals do not know you, and you have to work hard to get them be comfortable with you…but once they are comfortable with you, it is great.” Clearly, Deinilsa has built wonderful relationships with the individuals she works with. One individual sits by the window each day, eagerly anticipating her arrival. Every morning, she asks, “Nilsa, today?” And then, there are the many individuals at Grugan Center, whom she worked with when she was pregnant, who ask about her three-year-old daughter (and demand to see photos!) whenever she visits. It is these relationships, she notes, that make her job so rewarding.
When she is not working at Charles River, she enjoys spending as much time as possible with her family, especially her young daughter. Thank you, Deinilsa, for your years of service and all you do for the individuals you work with. You have made such a difference in their lives.
Nine Charles River staffers have completed training on the use and implementation of assistive technology (AT) and are now certified as Enabling Technology Navigators. They are Charles River’s “Assistive Tech Champions” and will assess assigned individuals for the use of AT to help them become as independent as possible. They’ll also help other staff members learn about AT.
Assistive technology is an item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
CRC’s new “Assistive Tech Champions” include Althea Hobson, Co-Assistant Program Director, Day Habilitation; Nick Houghton, Program Director, Family Support; Cara Kinney, Behavior Specialist; Marie Lewis, Manager, Quality Assurance; Marina Lisovskis, Program Director, Natick Day Program; Katie McDonald, BCBA, Director of Behavioral Services; Samantha McGilvray, Pre-ETS Coordinator, Day and Employment Services; and Brian Wagner, Assistant Program Director, Coolidge Circle.
The AT initiative is led by Randi Sargent, Grants Manager and AT Project Team Lead, who is working with these staff to develop expertise and an implementation plan across all CRC services. Support for this initiative came from the Department of Developmental Services, which awarded Charles River a $50,000 grant to fund the training, project management, and various resources that will soon become available. CRC recently received a continuation of this grant for 2024.
In 2021, DDS launched its “Technology First” initiative to promote the use of technology to support inclusivity and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as ASD.
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Charles River Center
59 East Militia Heights Dr.
Needham, MA 02492
781-972-1000
info@charlesrivercenter.org
©2022 Charles River Center. All rights reserved. Website Design by Compete Now.