Even in the heart of winter, there has been no slowing down at Incompass. From an exciting new chapter for our CBDS program to meaningful community experiences like visits to the Museum of Fine Arts and the New England Aquarium, these past months have reflected growth and joy across our organization. Whether embracing winter fun with DESE support or celebrating Valentine’s Day together, the moments highlighted in this newsletter are powerful reminders of access, inclusion, and connection in action.
As we move out of the winter months, we note that March is a meaningful month across our field, as it marks both Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month and Brain Injury Awareness Month. Established nationally by The Arc of the United States and the Brain Injury Association of America, these awareness campaigns call on all of us to recognize the strengths, resilience, and contributions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. They also remind us that awareness must go beyond recognition — it must translate into meaningful inclusion, equitable opportunity, and full participation in community life.
At Incompass Human Services, this commitment is at the heart of our mission. Every day, we work alongside individuals and families to create pathways to independence, dignity, and belonging. Whether through residential supports, employment services, community-based programs, or advocacy, we believe that true awareness is demonstrated through action, by building communities where differences are valued and every person has the opportunity to thrive. This March, we celebrate not only awareness, but the power of partnership and community in advancing inclusion for all.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue the tradition of our Stride for a Cause Kentucky Derby Party on May 2nd. This signature event brings our community together to celebrate our mission and collective impact.
Thank you for your support and commitment to Incompass mission. Because of you, we continue moving forward with strength and purpose.
Community Based Day Services (CBDS) has officially moved into its newly renovated space at our Omni Way headquarters, a space intentionally designed with this program in mind.
From the beginning, the layout and features were developed specifically to support the needs of CBDS. Each breakout room has been thoughtfully tailored to accommodate a variety of activities and learning styles. The space now includes a sensory-friendly room that offers a quieter, calming environment, as well as a technology room equipped with computers where individuals can build digital and communication skills. Together, these dedicated areas create a flexible setting for skill-building, small group instruction, and individualized supports. Individuals are now using the space daily to work toward personal goals, strengthen skills, and prepare for meaningful experiences in the broader community, all within an environment built to support their success.
An exciting addition to the program is the development of the Mission Market, a small on-site store concept where participants will help stock items, greet visitors, and practice customer service and money-handling skills. The project is intended to create a hands-on learning environment that builds confidence while introducing real-world workplace experiences in a supportive setting.
We are proud to see the space come to life and look forward to sharing more as the program continues to grow at Omni Way.
Recently, an individual supported through Incompass’ Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Program was able to take full advantage of New England’s snowy weather by participating in a classic winter activity: sledding. Thanks to support made possible through the DESE program, her family was able to purchase a snow sled which opened the door to an winter experience that brought joy and inclusion.
The DESE program is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and community partners like Incompass. The program is designed to help families keep their children at home, rather than in residential settings, by providing individualized budgets that can be used to support educational, recreational, and medical needs.
When asked about this experience Kenni’s mom said, “Kenni had a wonderful time using her snow sled, which we were able to purchase through the DESE program. It was so meaningful to see her truly participate in sledding. We sincerely appreciate the support, it made such a difference for her.”
The moment also marked an important milestone. Kenni has recently graduated from the DESE program and will now transition into Incompass’ Home-Based Residential Pilot Program, where she will continue receiving individualized supports designed to meet her evolving needs.
Stories like this highlight what’s possible when families are empowered with flexible resources and trusted partnerships. Whether it’s a snowy afternoon outdoors or a new chapter of support, Incompass remains committed to helping individuals and families access opportunities that foster inclusion, independence, and joy.
Incompass is proud to share that Jean Phelps, Chief Executive Officer, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Service to the Association Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).
Each year, AAIDD honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This recognition highlights Jean’s long-standing leadership and deep commitment to advancing inclusive supports that strengthen communities and improve outcomes for individuals and families.
Throughout her career, Jean has been a dedicated advocate for equity, inclusion, and innovation in services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her leadership continues to shape Incompass’s mission-driven work and reinforces the organization’s commitment to person-centered supports.
The Service to the Association Award will be formally presented in June 2026 at AAIDD’s 150th Annual Meeting in Chicago. Incompass joins partners, colleagues, and the broader community in congratulating Jean on this well-deserved honor and celebrating the meaningful impact she makes every day.
Incompass is proud to share a new partnership with Motivity, a clinically driven platform that supports data collection, analysis, and reporting across applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening clinical practice, enhancing accountability, and improving outcomes for the individuals we support.
As part of this implementation, Incompass has taken a significant step forward in how clinical data is collected, analyzed, and used across our services. To learn more about what this partnership means in practice, we sat down with Brandon, our Clinical Director, to discuss his experience, the implementation process, and the impact this system is already having across the organization.
Q&A with our Clinical Director Brandon
What is your professional background experience with products like Motivity? I have used several digital data collection software solutions during my time working in the field of ABA. It is now standard for insurance-funded ABA therapy companies and organizations to have this kind of software. Years ago, I also assisted with the selection and rollout process of digital data collection when working for a non-profit school for individuals with autism.
What was the reasoning behind acquiring and implementing the software at Incompass? When I was hired as Clinical Director, I quickly identified the opportunity for Incompass to take a leadership role in the field of adult services by transforming our data management systems. By digitizing our data collection, analysis, and progress reporting methods, Incompass has brought efficiency, accuracy, and accountability to the forefront of our clinical processes.
What was the process of implementation like? There are currently more than 2,800 target behaviors for increase and decrease being tracked across more than 300 supported individuals. Getting to this point was not easy. Motivity worked closely with me, our clinicians, directors, and managers to ensure that individuals’ goals were thoughtfully integrated into the system. As an organization, we continue to strengthen our skills—not only in using the platform itself, but also in interpreting and applying the clinical information it produces.
What are the benefits of reporting on outcomes for our agency and the individuals we support? The ability to analyze clinical data instantaneously from any network-connected device is absolutely transformative. We can ensure that behavior plans are effective in addressing interfering behaviors and that acquisition goals are making meaningful progress. The system also allows us to efficiently identify when plans or goals need adjustments, improving outcomes across the organization. Managers can use the platform throughout the day to ensure direct care staff are accurately collecting data in each program room or residence as designed by our clinicians. Looking ahead, we will also be able to analyze aggregate data to identify trends and measure overall success across programs.
Is there anything else that would be helpful for outside partners to know? We are just beginning to see the benefits of everyone’s efforts to get this system fully up and running. We are very excited about the future possibilities for deeper analysis and for expanding data collection across additional departments.
This partnership represents another important step in Incompass’ ongoing work to modernize systems, support staff with meaningful tools, and ensure high-quality, data-informed services for the individuals we serve.
