FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maggie Ducheney
Valley Educational Associates, Inc.
Phone: 413.349.4120
Fax: 413.349.4122
www.valleyeducational.org
https://www.facebook.com/ValleyEducational/
ducheneyVEA@yahoo.com
Valley Educational Associates Promotes Jessica Gorman
HATFIELD, MA (May 25, 2018) Valley Educational Associates recently promoted Jessica Gorman to Job Developer. Gorman formerly served as one of Valley Educational Associates’ Job Coaches. In her new role, Gorman will assist our Vocational Program Coordinator, Anthony Frogameni, to develop interactive vocational group lessons to prepare the individuals for specific work environments. This position focuses on maintaining current business partnerships, and developing new work and training opportunities for our individuals.
Jessica Gorman stated, “I find it incredibly rewarding to be able to work with our individuals one on one to find opportunities for their personal strengths to shine, and to find creative ways for them to learn new skills. I am so fortunate to be able to work with such an incredible group of people with such unique and varied talents, every day is like having the opportunity to fill a blank canvas with the most beautiful and interesting array of colors.”
Gorman holds a Bachelor’s Degree University of Massachusetts Amherst in Psychology. She has spent over 6 years helping people with mental health and developmental disabilities achieve their goals in different facilities in Western Massachusetts, Boston, Connecticut and Arizona. She plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education.
“I am so pleased with the contributions Jessica has made to her program site. She is very skilled at matching participant’s abilities with tasks and activities. I believe she will excel in this new role as she cultivates new work opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in Western MA,” says Kate DaSilva, Executive Director of Valley Educational Associates. “We make a concerted effort to promote successful staff from within to encourage leadership and professional growth.”
About Valley Educational Associates, Inc.: Incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit in 1982 to provide vocational training, employment services, and day services to adults with disabilities. Valley Educational Associates serves over 80 individuals in three program locations in Western Massachusetts. The programs are structured into community based day services, vocational, and supported employment settings. Valley Educational Associates has proudly has achieved nine consecutive Certifications with Distinction and participated in ten distinctive survey and certification reviews with the Office of Quality Enhancement (OQE) within the Office of Quality Management. Valley Educational Associates is a member of the Human Service Forum, Providers’ Council and Northampton Chamber of Commerce.
Our Mission: Valley Educational Associates’ specialized professionals strive to improve the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities.
