For Immediate Release: March 8, 2018
CONTACT:
Donna Popkin
413-527-6425- O
617-667-0116- C
Easthampton: March 8, 2018: David Stevens, the executive director for the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA), is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Ms. Connell as the organization’s Director of Behavioral Support Programs. In her role as director of behavioral support programs, Ms. Connell a resident of Plymouth, will be responsible for building strategic partnerships and collaborations, and managing projects in the area of caregiver respite, supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers, expand the number of Dementia Friendly Communities in Massachusetts, and will oversee and expand regional Elder Mental Health services. These initiatives are designed to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families.
Ms. Connell brings to her position more than twenty years of experience in state, municipal, and community-based programs, and holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Clark University. Her most recent position was as the Assistant Director of Fee for Service Community-Based Programs with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), Office of Long Term Services and Supports. Prior to her work at EOEA, Ms. Connell was the Assistant Director of Elder Affairs for the City of Worcester for 11 years. While there, Ms. Connell created and launched the first Elder Mental Health Care Team in Massachusetts, the Worcester Partnership for Quality Elder Mental Health Care and Outreach Team.
MCOA Executive Director, David Stevens, stated, “Betsy’s experience in three key sectors; state government, municipal, and community-based services make her ideal for the position. She has the right qualifications, and understands our customers and partners. Her passion for working with older people impressed me, and she will be a terrific addition to the MCOA team. We anticipate more wonderful things to come for Massachusetts elders and those folks who care for them.”
MCOA partners with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, National Councils on Aging, Massachusetts Municipal Association, a variety of state agencies, other non-profits, and academic institutions, all seeking to improve the quality of lives of the Commonwealth’s 1.7 million older adults over the age of sixty.
About Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA)
MCOA is a non-profit membership organization serving the Commonwealth’s municipally-based Councils on Aging. Our mission is building strategic partnerships to educate, empower, and advocate for professionals who work with older adults. Our office is located at 116 Pleasant St., Suite 306, Easthampton MA 01027. For more information about programs, events, and trainings visit MCOA’s website at www.mcoaonline.com, or subscribe to our free newsletter the Weekly Brief by contacting Lynn@mcoaonline.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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