bi-county collaborative fy 16 annual report rep… · private school programs. at the end of this...

Bi-County Collaborative FY 16 Annual Report

1

Administrative Offices 397 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

508-520-1998

www.bicounty.org

http://www.bicounty.org/


2

Table of Contents

Executive Director’s Letter 3

Governance & Leadership 4

Mission & Vision 5

General Information 5-8

Program Descriptions 9- 21

Achievement of Purpose & Objectives 22-24

Cost Effectiveness of Programs & Services 25-29

Student Outcomes 30-32

Financial Information 33 -34

Independent Audit 35


3

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Bi-County Collaborative Community,

During the 2015-2016 school year the Bi-County Collaborative experienced growth and success in many

areas providing needed services to member and non-member school districts. Information contained in

this report highlights Bi-County’s work including Governance, Leadership, Our Mission, Core Values

and Vision. Bi-County Collaborative educational programs and services are described along with data

representing the cost effectiveness of our programs and services in comparison to substantially similar

private school programs. At the end of this report Bi-County’s FY 16 Independent Auditor’s report is

attached as a separate PDF document. Bi-County’s FY 16 audit found the organization to have a clean

audit and no findings of concern.

In 2016 the Collaborative served students in specialized programs ranging in age from pre-school through

age 22, addressing the unique needs of our student population. In addition to specialized classroom

programs and a transportation network for 12 communities, Bi-County Collaborative grew in its capacity

to provide high quality Professional Development for educators, home based services for member school

districts, and after school programming.

Enrollment increased primarily at the elementary level in our classroom programs servicing students with

social-emotional and behavioral challenges. We opened a new classroom at the Delaney School in

Wrentham in late April to accommodate the need of our member and non member districts. During the

past year we have also grown in our capacity to provide member districts with specialized after school

home based services. Bi-County trained over 20 staff members through the Registered Behavior

Technician program which was taught by our own BCBAs in partnership with the New England Center

for Children. After the initial training, Bi-County offered a second training to ensure our staffs are well

equipped to meet the demand of member districts needing after school services.

Ongoing learning and professional development is an integral part of the work we do at Bi-County. With

the addition of a Professional Development and Curriculum Coordinator, Bi-County has grown

significantly in our capacity to offer high quality PD to member and non-member districts. Teachers and

administrators from across the state were provided with the content and instruction needed to meet the

endorsement requirements for Sheltered English Immersion. Educators also came to Bi-County for PD

offerings in several other areas including differentiating instruction, school law and protecting the rights

of transgender students.

On behalf of the Bi-County Collaborative staff, I extend sincere thanks for another wonderful school year

to our Board of Directors and member school districts for continually supporting our mission. It is a

pleasure to grow and develop quality sought after services and programs to meet the varying needs of our

student populations as well as those of educators, teachers and support staff in partnership with our

member school districts.

Arlene Grubert


4

Board of Directors

Mr. Kenneth Sheehan, Attleboro

Mr. Peter Marano, Bellingham

Dr. Allen Himmelberger, Blackstone-

Millville

Dr. Andrew Keough, Easton

Mrs. Debra Spinelli, Foxboro

Dr. Maureen Sabolinski, Franklin

Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski, King Philip

Mr. Zeff Gianetti, Mansfield

Dr. Robert Tremblay, Milford

Dr. Ingrid Allardi, Norfolk

Mrs. Suzan Cullen, North Attleboro

Dr. Joseph Baeta, Norton, Vice chair

Mr. David Raiche, Plainville

Mr. Robert Monteiro, Swansea

Mr. Stephen Dockray, Tri-County

Dr. Lincoln Lynch, Walpole, Chair

Dr. Allan Cameron, Wrentham

Operating Committee

Dr. Linda McSweeney, Attleboro

Ms. Joan DeAngelis, Attleboro

Ms. Rachel Lawrence, Bellingham

Ms. Loretta Braverman, Blackstone-

Millville

Ms. Teresa Skinner, Easton

Dr. Sandra Einsel, Foxboro

Ms. Deborah Dixon, Franklin

Ms. Audrey Lacher, King Philip

Ms. Bernadette Conroy, Mansfield

Ms. Meg Belsito, Milford

Dr. Anna Tupper, Norfolk

Ms. Julieann Hoell, North Attleboro, Chair

Mrs. Jeanne Sullivan, Norton

Mr. Edward Clarke, Plainville

Ms. Julie Garell, Swansea

Ms. Adele Sands, Tri-County

Ms. Linda McKelligan, Walpole

Ms. Karen McNamara, Wrentham, Vice-

Chair

Leadership Team

Dr. Arlene Grubert, Executive Director

Ms. Debra Ciccone, Director of Finance

and Operations

Ms. Laurie Cunningham, Program

Director for Clinical Services

Mr. Thomas Drake, Coordinator of

Technology Integration & Planning

Ms. Pamela Ludwig, Program Director

Ms. Jeanne McCrady, Program

Director

Ms. Julie O’Connor, Program Director

Ms. Nancy Regan, Director of Student Services

Ms. Nancy Whitehouse, School Nurse

Manager

Ms. Roberta Wuilleumier, Program Director

Dr. Laurie Sullivan, Coordinator of

Professional Development & Curriculum


5

Mission

“Making it possible for all learners to be

responsible and contributing members of society.”

Vision

The Bi-County Collaborative’s vision is driven by what is taught, how it is taught, and

optimal learning experiences and resources provided to our students. By minimizing impact

of disability and maximizing opportunities for learning our students will be:

Respectful and open minded negotiators;

Effective and reliable communicators;

Responsible and collaborative communicators;

Trustworthy and ethical advocators;

Dependable and organized managers;

Innovative and effective problem solvers;

Positive and responsible contributors;

Critical and creative learners and

Self directed and inquisitive thinkers.

General Information

The Bi-County Collaborative (BICO) is a multi-purpose educational collaborative formed

under the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws c. 40, section 4E. Bi-County Collaborative is a public

entity, governed by a Board of Directors, with each school committee appointing a representative to

the Board. The Operating Committee, which acts in an advisory capacity, consists of member

district’s designated Special Education Administrators.

Bi-County Collaborative consists of seventeen (17) member school districts in Bristol, Norfolk

and Worcester Counties. Member school districts are Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone-Millville

Regional, Easton, Franklin, King Philip Regional, Mansfield, Milford, Norfolk, North Attleboro,

Norton, Plainville, Swansea, Tri-County Vocational, Walpole, and Wrentham.

School districts do not have to be members to access services; many students served are from non-

member school districts.


6

General Information continued

Years in Service 41

Member Districts 17 59 School Districts Served

in 2016

Employees 151

Programs 19 Students Served - 244

Bi-County

Program/Service

Locations

Attleboro, Blackstone Millville , Foxboro , Franklin, King Philip Regional ,

Mansfield , North Attleboro , Norfolk , Norton, Plainville, Walpole,

Wrentham

Staff Demographics (June 30, 2016)

Executive Director 1

Director of Student Services 1

Program Directors 4

Program Director for Clinical Services 1

School Nurse Manager/Leader 1

Director of Finance & Operations 1

Teachers 29

School Adjustment Counselors 5

Board Certified Behavior Analysts 4

Adaptive Physical Education Teachers 2

Speech & Language Therapists 3

Occupational Therapists 4

Physical Therapists 3

Physical Therapy Assistant 1

Instructional Support Staff 73

Nurses 9

Transition Coordinators 2

Administrative Assistant 1

Student Records & Human Resource

Coordinator

1

Secretary/Receptionist 1

Accounting & Payroll Coordinator 1

Purchasing & Transportation Associate 1

Professional Development & Curriculum

Coordinator

1

Coordinator of Technology Integration &

Planning

1

Total 151


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Staff Years of Service

Staff Years of Service 2016

Range of Years Staff

0-50 0-5 54

6-10 54

11-15 27

16-20 8

20+ 8

36% 36%

18%

5% 5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

1

FY 2016

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

16-20 years

20+ years


8

Bi-County Collaborative Educational Programs and Services

The Bi-County Collaborative is dedicated to providing high quality educational

programming making it possible for all students to become responsible and contributing

members of society. Bi-County has provided specialized educational programs for students ages

3-22 for 41 years.

Bi-County programs address the needs of students with Autism, Communication,

Developmental Delay, Emotional, Health, Intellectual, Neurological, Physical Impairments, and

Specific Learning Disabilities. We take great pride in our specialized and personalized services

for students with varying abilities and challenges. Our dedicated, skilled, and talented teaching

and support staff personalize educational programming for each student to meet their unique

learning, emotional, social, therapeutic, physical and medical needs.

Students in Bi-County Programs benefit greatly from our Clinical resource team. The

expertise of consulting Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, School

Adjustment Counselors, along with Bi-County staff and parents provides for optimum levels of

communication and consistent treatment plans. In addition to specialized program placements,

Bi-County also provides Interim Alternative Education Assessment settings for students in

crisis, at risk, and/or in need of further evaluation.

Bi-County Collaborative educational programs strive to prepare students for independence

so that they may function and be successful in all major domains of living:

Physical and Emotional Wellness

Supportive and Independent Living

Personal and Family Relationships

Social and Leisure Pursuits

Community and Civic Participation

Successful and Fulfilling Employment

Challenging and Changing Environments


9

Bi-County Collaborative Programs & Services

Preschool & Elementary


10


11


12


13

Middle School Programs


14


15


16


17

High School Programs


18


19


20

Adult Programs for Ages 18-22


21


22

Achievement of Purpose and Objectives

The Bi-County Collaborative provides high quality, specialized educational programs for students ages 3-22.

Bi-County has serviced students both in public school settings and separate public day school settings for 41

years. Bi-County served a total of 244 students during the 2015-2016 school year. Bi-County educational

programs serve students with primary disabilities of Autism, Communication Impairment, Developmental

Delay, Emotional Impairment, Health Impairment, Intellectual Impairment, Multiple Disabilities, Neurological

Impairment, and Specific Learning Disabilities.

In FY 16 Bi-County Collaborative programs provided services for students with disabilities from 59 public school

districts. Bi-County’s programs and services are located in member school districts. This affords many students

opportunities to access and participate in the general curriculum with their non-disabled peers. In addition, Bi-County

programs provide services to students in three public separate day schools approved by the Department of Elementary

and Secondary Education for students who require a more restrictive setting. Bi-County Collaborative programs and

services are cost effective in comparison to private special education day school programs and private agencies that

provide substantially similar programs and services. The cost effectiveness and savings for programs and services

offered by Bi-County can be found on pages 25-29 of this report.

Bi-County programs provide related services to students who attend collaborative programs. These services include:

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Adaptive Physical Education, ABA Home Based Services, Assessment &

Evaluation Services, BCBA Consultation Services, Clinical Consultation, Counseling, Extended School Year Service,

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Orientation and Mobility Services, Social Skills Groups, Speech & Language

Therapy, and Vision Therapy.

Bi-County manages a Transportation Network for 12 participating districts. The Transportation Network services both

member and non-member school districts. The primary purpose and objective of the Transportation Network is to

provide access to combination transportation routes from surrounding districts and within districts to achieve an

efficient, dependable and cost effective model. The Transportation Network in FY 16 consisted of a 4 vendor model in

an effort to create competitive bidding and pricing for transportation routes.

Ongoing learning and professional development is an integral part of the work we do at the collaborative.

Teachers and administrators from across the state were provided with content instruction needed to meet the

endorsement requirements for Sheltered English Immersion. Educators also came to Bi-County for PD

offerings in several areas including differentiating instruction, school law and protecting the rights of

transgender students. Participation in PD at Bi-County grew 200% in 2016 compared to 2015.


23

Students Served by Grade Level

Programs Serving: FY16

Elementary School 60

Middle School 85

High School 75

Grade 12+ 24

Total Students Served 244

25%

35%

31%

9%

FY16 Students by Grade Level

Elementary

Middle School

High School

Grade 12+


24

Students Served by Primary Disability

Students served by Primary Disability FY16

Autism 55

Communication 2

Developmental Delay 8

Emotional Impairment 116

Health Impairment 16

Intellectual Impairment 13

Multiple Disabilities 21

Neurological Impairment 11

Specific Learning Disabilities 2

TOTAL STUDENTS SERVED 244

22%

1%

3%

42%

7%

5% 9% 4%

1%

FY16 Students Served by Primary Disability

Autism

Communication Impairment

Developmental Delay

Emotional Impairment

Health Impairment

Intellectual Impairment

Multiple Disabilities

Neurological Impairment

Specific Learning Disabilities


25

Cost Effectiveness of Programs & Services

Cost effectiveness and savings for member and non-member districts are represented in the charts below by

comparing the daily rate for 180 and 223 day programs at Bi-County to MA approved private schools

according to daily rates for FY 16 set by the MA Operational Services Division. Bi-County Collaborative

tuition rates are compared to 2 private school tuitions servicing the same population of students with

substantially similar programs.

Bi-County Collaborative 12 month 223 Day Program Comparison

Preschool & Elementary School Programs 223 days

Member/Non-Member

BICO Program

# Of Students

BICO Tuition

Private School

Comparison

Private School Tuition

Tuition Savings

Annual Tuition Savings

Member

Elementary/ Pre-School Development Learning Program 12

$64,001

Boston College Campus School $89,075 $25,074 $300,889

Member

Elementary /Pre-School Development Learning Program 12

$64,001

Cotting School $91,802 $27,801 $333,617

Non-Member

Elementary/ Pre-School Development Learning Program 0 $73,001

Boston College Campus School

$89,075 $16,074 $

Non-Member

Elementary/ Pre-School Development Learning Program 0

$ 73,001

Cotting School

$91,082 $18,801 $

Age 18+ Program

Member/Non-Member

BICO Program

# Of Students BICO Tuition

Private School Compar

ison


Tuition Savings


Member

Life Roles Transition Center Age 18+ 3.5

$64,001

Cotting School $91,802 $27,801 $97,305

Member


$64,001

League School $81,315 $17,314 $60,598

Non-Member


$73,001

Cotting School $91,802 $18,801 $90,247

Non-Member


$73,001

League School

$81,315 $8,314 $39,906


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Bi-County Collaborative 10 Month 180 Day Program Comparison

Elementary School Programs

Member/

Non-Member BICO Program

# Of Students

BICO Tuition

Private School

Comparison


Tuition Savings


Member

Specialized Elementary Alternative Program 11 $45.000

Crossroads School for Children $81,182 $36,182 $398,000

Member

Specialized Elementary Alternative Program 11 $45,000

NE Center for Children $80,633 $35,633

$391,961

Non-Member

Specialized Elementary Alternative Program 3.4

$54,000

Crossroads School for Children $81,182 $27,182 $92,418

Non-Member

Specialized Elementary Alternative Program 3.4

$54,000

NE Center for Children $80,633 $26,633 $90,552

Member

Therapeutic Elementary Alternative Program 28.75

$45,000

Community Therapeutic Day School $72,304 $27,304 $784,979

Member


$45,000 Walker School $70,371 $25,371 $729,416

Non-Member


$54,000

Community Therapeutic Day School $72,304 $18,304

$151,005

Non-Member


$54,000 Walker School $70,371 $16,371 $135,061


27


Middle School Programs

Member/Non-

Member BICO Program # Of

Students BICO Tuition Private School

Comparison Private School

Tuition Tuition Savings


Member

Alternative Middle School Program 7.4

$45,000

Judge Baker's Children's Center $73,928 $ 28,928 $214,069

Member

Alternative Middle School Program 7.4 $45,000 Walker School $70,371 $ 25,371 $187,745

Non-Member

Alternative Middle School Program .75 $54,000

Judge Baker's Children's Center $73,928 $19,928 $14,946

Non-Member

Alternative Middle School Program .75 $54,000 Walker School $70,371 $16,371 $12,278

Member

Life Roles Education Program 7 $42,660 Cotting School $74,101 $31,441 $220,087

Member

Life Roles Education Program 7 $42,660 League School $65,635 $ 22,975 $160,826

Non-Member

Life Roles Education Program 5 $51,660 Cotting School $74,101 $22,441 $112,205

Non-Member

Life Roles Education Program 5 $51,660 League School $65,635 $13,975 $69,876

Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 5.1 $45,000


Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 5.1 $45,000 Walker School $70,371 $25,371 $129,392

Non-Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 3.3 $54,000


Non-Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 3.3 $54,000 Walker School $70,371 $16,371

$54,024

Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 13.8 45,000


Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 13.8 $45,000 Walker School $70,371 $25,371

$350,120

Non-Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 5.6 $54,000


Non-Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 5.6 $54,000 Walker School $70,371 $16,371 $91,678


28


High School Programs

Member/Non-Member BICO Program

# Of Students

BICO Tuition

Private School Comparison


Tuition Savings


Member Learning Center 7.5

$42,660 Dearborn Academy $64,109 $21,449 $160,868

Member Learning Center 7.5

$42,660

James Farr Academy $74,277 $31,617 $237,125

Non-Member Learning Center 2.7


Non-Member Learning Center 2.7

$51,660


Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 10

$42,660 Cotting School $74,101 $31,441 $314,411

Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 10

$42,660 League School $65,635 $22,975 $229,752

Non-Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 5.6

$51,660 Cotting School $74,101 $22,441 $125,670

Non-Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 5.6

$51,660 League School $65,635 $13,975 $78,261

Member

Secondary Therapeutic Alternative High School Program 9.2


Member


$42,660


Non-Member



Non-Member


$51,660


Member Therapeutic High School 16.4


Member Therapeutic High School 16.4

$42,660


Non-Member Therapeutic High School 9.2


Non-Member Therapeutic High School 9.2

$51,660



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Cost Savings for BCBA Consultation Services

The cost savings analysis above represents the average cost for Home Services for students

which requires BCBA consultation and direct service by a trained behavior technician or ABA

therapist. The average cost for BCBA consultation services from private vendors* is $124.25hr.,

compared to Bi-County Collaborative cost for BCBA consultation services at $85hr. The cost of

behavior technicians providing direct service in the home from private vendors is $50hr compared

to BICO at $40hr.

(Vendor cost comparison includes rates from New England Center for Children $145hr., Melmark

$132hr., HMEA $110hr., Dimension $110hr.)

Transportation Network Services

Bi-County Collaborative manages a Transportation Network for 12 participating

districts. The Transportation network provides services to member and non-member school

districts. The primary benefit of the Transportation Network is access to combination

transportation routes from surrounding districts and within districts to achieve a cost effective

model. The Transportation Network consists of a 4 vendor model in an effort to create

competitive bidding and pricing for transportation routes. The primary goal of the Bi-County

Transportation Network is providing dependable, efficient and cost effective transportation

for special education students.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

BICO Average Private Vendors

FY 16 BCBA Home Services

BCBA Services

Behavior Technician


30

Students Exiting the Collaborative

In FY 16, 44 students exited the collaborative. From this group:

9 students graduated

20 students returned to home district and less restrictive programming

4 students moved out of state

7 students required more restrictive programming

1 student aged out at 22

3 students withdrew from school

44

9

20

4 7

1 3

44 Students

exited

9 Graduates

20 returned to

district

4 moved out of state

7 more restrictive

1 turned 22 3 Withdrew

Students Exited in 2016


31

Class of 2016 Graduating Seniors

In FY 16, 9 students who remained enrolled through the end of their senior year were eligible to

receive High School diplomas. All 9 students successfully completed graduation requirements and

were awarded diplomas in June 2016.

Of this group of 9 graduating seniors, 3 students went on to further their education at Community

Colleges, 5 students had secured employment upon graduating, and 5 students were eligible and

receiving Adult services.

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

2-year College Employment Adult Services

33%

56% 56%

FY16 Outcomes for Students

Receiving High School Diplomas


32

Overall Student Outcomes

In FY 16, 10 students at Bi-County were either eligible for a High School diploma, a

Certificate of Achievement and/or aged out at 22 years of age.

Out of this total of 10 students, 9 students earned HS diplomas (90%) , 1 student earned a

Certificates of Completion (10%), and 1 student aged out at age 22 (10%).

In addition to furthering their education, 5 Bi-County graduates secured employment (50%).

Of this group 5 students were found eligible for Adult Services from another public agency

(50%).

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

High School Diploma

Certificate of Achievement

Employment Aged Out at 22yrs.

Adult Services

FY 16 Overall Student Outcomes


33

Financial Information

FY 16 Revenue $12,908,599

Intergovernmental expense illustrates the dollar amount of the state retirement pensions paid to

Bi-County Collaborative retirees by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Special Education Programs

$10,725,281 83%

Therapy, Behavioral, Evaluation Services

$887,105 7%

Transportation Network $60,844

0%

Interest Income $6,561

0% Intergovernmental Revenue

$1,228,808 10%

Special Education Programs

Therapy, Behavioral & Evaluation Services

Transportation Network

Interest Income

Intergovernmental Revenue


34

Financial Information

FY 16 Expenses $12,294,666

Intergovernmental expense illustrates the dollar amount of the state Commonwealth of

Massachusetts.

Personnel, excl. Admin

$8,839,501 72%

Direct Program Expenses $445,355

4%

Facilities $640,964

5%

Operating Program Expenses $56,866

0% Administration

$948,227 8%

Intergovernmental Expense

$1,228,808 10%

Capital $134,945

1%

Personnel, excl. Admin

Direct Program Expenses

Facilities

Operating Program Expenses

Administration

Intergovernmental Expense

Capital


35

FY 16 Independent Financial Audit

The Bi-County Collaborative’s Independent Audit Report was conducted

by Pavento, Ratcliffe, Renzi & Co., LLC. The Independent Auditor’s Report was

presented to the Board of Directors at a meeting held on October 13, 2016 by

Elaine Renzi. Bi-County Collaborative’s FY 16 Audit found Bi-County to have a

clean audit and no findings of concern. The Board voted unanimously to accept the

FY 16 Independent Audit Report on October 13, 2016.

bi-county collaborative fy 16 annual report rep… · private school programs. at the end of this...

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