Margaret Nicholson
Director
(857) 220-2333, x310
It is my plan to stay with COMPASS for as long as we can.
"My family has been involved with COMPASS for a few months now. Since we've been involved this program has taught us how to effectively communicate with respect for each other, [to] understand that everyone has boundaries, [that] planning things out makes a much happier household, [and] bridging the gap between the school and the children leads to a successful outcome. It is my plan to stay with them for as long as we can."
(from a quote about us on Guidestar)
A Note of Thanks
I worked with Leigh on a complex case and I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know the amazing work she does. I'm sure you have heard from Leigh how tough working with teens can be, and she has gone above and beyond with helping this family when they are in crisis. Leigh is great with keeping in communication with the Department and in helping come up with great safety plans during wellness meetings and family sessions. Leigh is a saint when it comes to this case! I have such high respect for her as a person and the type of work she does with families. Whenever a social worker or supervisor here in my office asks who is a strong clinician, I always recommend Leigh. I appreciate all of her hard work and enjoy working with her.
Written by South Shore area social worker
Thank you for being there when we needed you.
"I wanna thank you for helping me and my family. Thank you for being there when we needed you. Also helping us know that we can love and care for each other and not be afraid. And for helping me to take compliments and for being proud for my self. ... thanks a lot for everything you done. And making me laugh and making everyone else happy. I will keep your advice in my head and use it more often."
(from a mother receiving services through the Comprehensive Support and Stabilization Program)
I am so grateful you are working with my client.
"As an attorney working with court-involved children and families for more than twenty years... this is the first time I have ever felt the urge to write the overseeing organization about a particular caseworker’s involvement.
I am so grateful that Ms. 'Beltran' is working with my client. I believe [she] has gone above and beyond to... support my client in ways that are essential, but are often unavailable. Her Spanish skills, her willingness to advocate [for] services, her willingness to drive Ms. 'Davis' when transportation is a problem... her responsiveness to my requests for assistance, and her positive attitude... make Ms. Beltran such an asset! I truly believe Ms. Davis' case would be turning out... much less successfully, if Ms. Beltran was not involved."
(message from an attorney working with a CSS client)
Job Readiness Results
Job Readiness at COMPASS - outcomes for four students in the Job Readiness program:
- 1 student was able to help support their family
- 1 student said "it kept me out of trouble and off the streets."
- 1 student was able to secure full-time employment
- 1 student improved his attendance at school and was no longer truant
Four lives changed!
Your insight, wisdom and sense of humor have been very much appreciated.
"Dear [CSS Family Specialist] Joanne,
We can't thank you enough for all that you have done for Amber and us. Your insight, wisdom and sense of humor have been very much appreciated. Surely you have gone beyond the 'call of duty' - we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And though the past few years have been difficult there is one silver lining – we have met people like you. And the world is a better place because you are in it. With our deepest thanks and love..."
(family served by the Comprehensive Support and Stabilization Program)
It has been a pleasure working with Brian and seeing the improvements in Lamar...
"I feel that Lamar has made good progress since being followed by Brian (COMPASS Family Specialist). Lamar is beginning to see that he must take responsibility for his actions and that he must be held accountable for his actions. It would be wonderful if Lamar could continue seeing Brian for a longer period of time. ...I feel that with more time, Lamar will be better able to make the right decisions about what is right and what is wrong with more independence. It has been a pleasure working with Brian and seeing the improvements in Lamar's ability to make better decisions in general."
(Mattapan middle school E.S.D. teacher of student served by our Comprehensive Support and Stabilization Program)
The Brighter Path
Comprehensive Support & Stabilization Case Worker Steve B. was recently honored with a commendation letter from Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. The commendation came as a result of a letter sent to Governor Deval Patrick by a grateful mother, Gale F., whose family Steve had worked with. In addition to her kind letter, Gale created and dedicated a painting to Steve, shown here along with Senator Kerry's commendation. Her letter to Governor Patrick follows:
Dear Governor Deval Patrick,
I know you are working hard on the concerns and the future of the Massachusetts residents. I know that balancing the budget has to be done. I have faith that you will keep in mind that the future is with our children.
... my request will not cost much. I would like to request 3 state employees to be recognized for their excellent professional family support over the past 18+ months. Their support has made it possible for me to keep myself together through an extremely difficult period in my life. Their jobs are rarely recognized when they are done right but often noticed when something goes wrong. My story starts with my 15 yr. old son's poor attendance at school. The F. High School and... myself had a CHINS placed on my son. He... was found to be a good kid that was headed in the wrong direction.
In the past 15 months, I have injured both shoulders and badly torn rotator cuffs while at work. I came down with a blood infection, for which I had to have therapy to stand and walk again. I have just had the 2nd operation on my shoulders. My mother expired from bladder cancer and 10 days later my sister-in-law expired from a chronic pancreas problem. I have guardianship of my 3 grandchildren, a girl 12 yrs. old and twin boys 11 yrs. old. The twins are developmentally behind with autism. Their parents are going through a divorce plus other problems. My husband has been out of work for 3+ years. Any one of these problems can be hard on a family. The following 3 employees have helped my children with counseling, school support, rides to work for my son, a 2+ months hospital stay, getting through 2 funerals and the past holidays. They have been always available to me and have been called upon throughout this time...
One of these workers, Steve B., a family clinician at COMPASS' Community Stabilization & Support Program, supported my son through school problems, rides to work, counseling, etc. He has mentored my son. He has been a much needed positive [role] model to my son. Steve has been helpful through all the previous named problems. On top of that, Steve arranged time for my granddaughter to be with a female COMPASS employee. He helped get the twins into an Autism program to help with school vacation days.
I truthfully believe if [this] person was not part of my life over the past 18+ months, my children would have paid a price for the problems around them. I have a great need to thank these people. I hope you can see it fit to honor this request for a letter of recognition to these invaluable employees. God bless you all...
Gale F.
