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Human Rights & the People We Support

EMARC is committed to supporting the people we serve in the exercise and protection of their Human Rights.  We implement this commitment by continually educating both staff and the people we support and, whenever feasible, the community at large.   Additionally, our Human Rights Committee meets quarterly to review trainings, human rights issues, any potentially restrictive measures that might be utilized in supporting our individuals as well as any complaints regarding Human Rights or investigations completed by the Disabled Persons Protection Commission.

Components of the EMARC Human Rights System

Human Rights Officers

  • Each program site has an assigned Human Rights Officer that has been trained by the Department of Developmental Services in both Basic Human Rights as well as Human Rights Systems. 
  • These Human Rights Officers (or HROs) are responsible for educating and supporting program participants as well as staff in basic human rights, and this training occurs annually. 
  • In addition to this, the HROs are available to both staff and participants, as well as family members, for discussions on specific Human Rights Issues
  • The HROs act as a liaison between their programs and the Human Rights Committee, and function as non-voting members of the Committee

 Human Rights Coordinator

  • The agency has designated one staff person to be responsible for ensuring that trainings occur as needed
  • To coordinate inquiries into any Human Rights issues as needed
  • To coordinate any consents that are needed for Health Related Supports or Protections
  • To facilitate the Human Rights Committee meetings

Human Rights Committee

  • Consists of professionals and laypersons with experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities
  • Meets regularly to ensure proper functioning of the agency’s Human Rights System
  • Reviews all grievances and allegations of mistreatment
  • Reviews Behavior Plans, Health Related Supports and Emergency Restraints
  • Offers support and guidance in their areas of their expertise as it relates to the Human Rights of the people we support

If you have any concerns about the Human Rights of someone we support, you are encouraged to speak with the Human Rights Officer for that program or to the Human Rights Coordinator for the Agency.  Names and contact information are provided below.

The Disabled Persons Protection Commission was created to protect adults with disabilities from the abusive acts or omissions of their caregivers through investigation oversight, public awareness and prevention. If you have any concerns about abuse or neglect, please contact the Disabled Persons Protection Commission at 1-800-423-9009.  You can learn more about DPPC at www.mass.gov/dppc

If you have any questions about anything presented here, please feel free to contact me at (781) 587-2208 or kcuster@theemarc.org

Human Rights Officers

Human Rights Coordinator  Kathy Custer (781) 587-2208
kcuster@theemarc.org
Residential 
Albion Street Prisca Moise (781) 224-0592
Haven & Village Streets Nickesha Thomas (781) 944-1486
Hopkins Street Shoshana Siegel (781) 944-7317
Main Street Roman Dolezol (781) 942-4888
Newcomb Avenue Maiden Gallardo (781) 231-7934
Pitman Drive Kristin Albano (781) 944-0302
Range Heights Road Eunice Njai (781) 595-8102
Rustic Lane   Sylvia Calangi (781) 942-0484
Water Street         Kristin Laffey    (781) 245-0440
Woodcrest Drive    Peachy Sarmiento (781) 246-1410
Supported Living Bonnie Vallis (781) 246-0651
Supported Living Nancy Holleran (781) 587-2424
Family Support    Ella Monte-Roby (781) 942-4888
Day Services
Employment Services Reading Deb Rauseo (781) 942-4888 
Life Choices Reading Jaime Hadley (781) 942-4888
Day Services Beverly Andrew Norton (978) 279-2100
Day Services Burlington Ben Sousa (781) 365-1350

 

Members of the EMARC Human Rights Committee
Russell Kaplan – Committee Chair
Daniel Dowcett – Attorney at Law
Susan Kirkland – Family Member
Ellen H - Supported Living 

Tim S - Haven Street
Dorian Crawford – Masters Level Clinician
Sarah Carpenter – Registered Nurse
Kathleen Alfano – Family Member
Kyle Chapman – Director of Residential Services