By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The Addison Point Agency is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing in-home and community supports for children (birth to age 21), and adults with mental health diagnosis or cognitive disabilities.
“Our goal is to assist each individual and their family to reach their fullest potential,” said Andrew Chartrand, director of child and youth services. “Our means of reaching that goal is to provide programs that are stimulating, challenging, rewarding and fun. Services are created on an individualized basis to meet each person’s needs and provide a strength-based approach. All treatment is delivered in a respectful manner by trained, Maine-State certified behavioral health Professionals (BHP) or Direct Support Professionals (DSP).”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
STAFF APPRECIATION — The Addison Point Agency is celebrating its 25th year of providing in-home and community supports for young people (birth to age 21), and adults with mental health diagnosis or cognitive disabilities. A special staff appreciation luncheon was held July 31 in Houlton.
On July 31, the Addison Point Agency in Houlton celebrated its first Staff Appreciation Day at the Addison Point Agency office located at 98 Bangor St.
“The Addison Point Agency is only as strong as the employees that do the excellent work in supporting the families that we serve,” Chartrand said. “It is important therefore to recognize the dedication of our employees and the superlative effort that they put forth.”
Program supervisors, Jason Little has been employed for seven years with the agency, while Janet Little and Angela Cowger have each been employed for five years, and Julie Ivey has been employed for three years.
“We are pleased to welcome Herb Boutilier as a new program supervisor, and Linda Bellisle as our new office manager,” Chartrand added.
Chartrand presented the following BHPs with an award signifying that they have been employed for at least three years: Nathan Foster, Penny Levesque, Anna Robinson and Cheryl Tardy.
Receiving five-year recognition were: Jennifer Cabanaw, Carrie Crandall, Janet Cyr, Peggy McGary, Darcie Nash and Vernon Sixberry, Jr.
Awards were also given for exceptional service to the children and families that receive services through the Addison Point Agency. Those awards were presented to David Cohen, McGary, Sixberry Jr. and Jason White.
The first annual Behavior Health Professional of the Year for 2013 was awarded to Jennifer Cabanaw for her dedication to the families she serves, professionalism while representing the Addison Point Agency, and excellence in the performance of her job duties, Chartrand said.
“A special award was presented to Jason (Little) for his outstanding dedication and excellence in the performance of his job duties,” Chartrand added. “Jason has served the Addison Point Agency with distinction for seven years. He has been an incredible asset to the agency, the children and families he provides services for, as well as the community of Houlton. He is a father of four beautiful children. He is a basketball coach for the town of Hodgdon, and a longstanding member of the Wesleyan Church in Houlton.”
The Addison Point Agency continues to develop innovative and successful approaches to assist those it serves to gain necessary social skills.
“Our new social group provides a uniquely structured and safe environment for children and teens to practice what they learn during their individual sessions with their respective Behavioral Health Professionals,” Chartrand said. “The social program is specifically designed to offer the participants the opportunity to use newly learned skills such as community safety, befriending, turn taking, following rules, leading, following instructions, and being spontaneous. They have group instruction and discussions about in-home and community safety, self-advocacy, and health and hygiene. The group is organized by a specialized facilitator who also instructs the children and teens.”
For more information about the Addison Point Agency, contact Breane Reid, human resources director, at 479-6099, or pick up an application at the Houlton office located at 98 Bangor Road.