The following press release was issued by Ball Communications on 10/1/26:
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (Oct, 1, 2026) – Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell was presented with the 2026 Civil Rights Champion award at an annual convening of The Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), a statewide association representing community-based human services providers, held on Tuesday in Westborough.
Members heard updates on federal Medicaid cuts and Massachusetts human services priorities, with a focus on policy shifts, access to services, and workforce needs. In particular, the Attorney General focused on the importance of protecting Massachusetts residents, including people with disabilities, and preserving access to health and human services.
“As residents and service providers grapple with rising health care costs and uncertainty at the federal level, it is more important than ever that we continue to work in partnership to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of the disability community,” said Attorney General Campbell. “Together we can continue to stand up for disability rights and create communities where everyone has access to the resources they need to be successful.”
“This meeting gave our provider community an important chance to coalesce on a strategy for managing the challenges – and the opportunities – ahead,” said Stephanie Costa, president and CEO of ADDP. “Human services providers are being asked to navigate a lot of uncertainty right now, particularly around Medicaid, rising health insurance costs, and the ongoing challenges of recruiting and retaining staff. We must stay engaged and stand together to ensure that the decisions being made today do not limit the opportunities that people will have in the years to come.”
Noah Block, federal relations manager at ANCOR, a national association representing community-based human services providers, presented an update on federal Medicaid policy and the implications for community providers.
This year’s meeting also featured the presentation of the 2026 Impact Awards to six individuals whose work within ADDP’s member organizations goes beyond expected practice to expand opportunities for people with disabilities and the human services workforce. The Bridge Builder Award honors direct support professionals for their exceptional person-centered support, and the Pathfinder Award recognizes a supervisor or manager for their incredible leadership. ADDP recognized the following individuals:
Bridge Builder Award Recipients
- Ed Deveno, direct support professional, Berkshire County Arc
- Junior Paris, residential manager, The Guild for Human Services
- Meghan Stocks, Adult Day Program workroom supervisor, Melmark New England
Pathfinder Award Recipients
- Merari Alvarado, vice president of community services, Thrive Support & Advocacy
- Gretchen Arvanitopoulos, director of community services, Community Connections, Inc.
- Abigail Law, director of community engagement and inclusion, Community Connections, Inc.
“These awards are centered on the people who make this work possible,” added Costa. “The work of human services professionals deserves to be seen and celebrated.”
About ADDP
As a prominent statewide association, the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) represents 130 human service organizations that provide a wide range of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism, and to people who have brain injuries. ADDP’s mission is to advance supports for people with disabilities by bringing together the professional perspectives needed to shape policy and drive meaningful change. ADDP envisions a reliable and sustainable Massachusetts disability support network that addresses changing needs and expands opportunity for all.