22nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Community Resources' 22nd Annual Conference took place on a beautiful April day as more than 300 people gathered at the Log Cabin in Holyoke to listen to our two fabulous speakers - Dr. V. Mark Durand and Dr. Stephen Shore. Conference attendees also got to peruse the many exhibitors and vendors that filled the Southampton Room. And of course, everyone had a chance to visit with colleagues and friends to share experiences and information.  

A highlight of the conference was the awards ceremony. The "You are There for Me Award" was presented to Jeromie Whalen for the ongoing support and friendship he gives to Gavin McGillicuddy and his family. Jeromie was nominated by Gavin's sister Julia. The Community Inclusion Award was given to Nancy and Bill Salvatore, owners of Chin Bo Jok Martial Arts Academy in Pittsfield. Nancy and Bill have gone our of their way to include children with autism in all of their programs. The Above and Beyond Award was awarded to James Ethan Linton, a paraprofessional who has been a wonderful friend and teacher to Nick Somers. James was nominated by Nick's mother Julie. Finally, the staff of Community Resources recognized former director, David Specht, witht he Impact and Achievement Award, thanking him for his many years of service to Community Resources' families.Barry Prizant, Ph.D. CCC-SLP spoke about the SCERTS Model, an innovative educational approach for children and older individuals with ASD. His talk focused on the basics of the SCERTS Model and addressed effective strategies for problem behaviors. Roy Richard Grinker, Ph.D., who has a daughter with autism, spoke about the historical and socio-cultural forces that have changed public perceptions of people with disabilities.

We would like to thank our sponsors and donors for contributing to the success of our conference. Special thanks go to Dr. Mary Adrianopoulos of the Department of Communication Disorders at UMass Amherst and the U.S. Department of Education for partially subsidizing the conference.

Conference Brochure Sponsor
Quad/Graphics

Breakfast Sponsor
Mercy Medical Center Blood Bank

Speaker Sponsor
University of Massachusetts - Amherst ~ Department of Communication Disorders
Thanks to funds granted to Dr. Mary Andrianopoulos by the US Department of Education

Parent Scholarship Sponsors
Kiwanis Club of Easthampton
Baystate Health
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation For Autism, Inc.
Radcliffe is the Reason and Arthur, Too. Fight Autism

Autism Awareness Item Sponsor
Valley Marketing

Educational Advocacy Sponsors
Kiwanis Club of Easthampton
Yankee Candle Flagship

Awards Sponsors
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.

Signage Sponsor
Puffer Printing

Table Sponsors
AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts
The Log Cabin~Delaney House

Raffle Item Donors

Yankee Candle
Ballroom Fever, Inc.
Pride Gas Station
Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation For Autism, Inc.
Frigos
A Touch of Garlic
Autism Asperger Publishing Company
Competitive Edge Ski & Bike