MARSHFIELD, MA, ISSUED JUNE 10, 2025… Road to Responsibility (RTR; http://roadtoresponsibility.org), one of the region’s largest and most successful nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is pleased to announce receipt of a $20,000 grant from The Arc of Massachusetts and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. The funding will enable RTR to participate in a six-month Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) pilot training program, equipping staff with essential skills to better serve adults with complex behavioral needs.
The grant, earmarked in the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, is part of an initiative by The Arc/Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts to enhance the quality of care and support provided to individuals with challenging behaviors. The 34-hour training program will take place at RTR’s Opportunities for Positive Transitional Services (OPTS) Program in Taunton and one of RTR’s residential group homes in Norwell that supports people on the autism spectrum. Staff will receive instruction from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and/or Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA).
Participants will complete a baseline survey to measure staff’s self-assessed confidence in their knowledge and training, which will then be readministered after the training to capture any changes in confidence and/or abilities. Clinical metrics regarding individuals served both before and after the training will also be compared to determine the effect on individuals served.
“This grant represents yet another step forward in our mission to provide the highest quality support to individuals with complex needs,” said Christopher T. White, president and CEO of Road to Responsibility. “By equipping our staff with advanced ABA training, we are ensuring that those we serve receive the best possible care and opportunities for growth.
“We are so grateful for the support of The Arc of Massachusetts and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts,” he added. “We look forward to this partnership.”
Celebrating more than 37 years of making lives better, Road to Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) was established in 1988 with the overarching belief that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to have full, rich, and rewarding lives in the community, and therefore works to provide the means, the opportunity, and the support necessary to allow citizens with disabilities to take their place as productive members of the community. RTR offers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. RTR supports individuals with very diverse needs, including those with significant challenges who would otherwise go unserved if not for RTR. It succeeds where other organizations often fail, through the use of an integrated clinical behavioral approach. This model has proven successful and yielded positive results for the organization and the individuals served.
Road to Responsibility offers services to almost all the towns and communities throughout the South Shore and South Coast of Massachusetts, operates 51 residences as well as co-operative and supportive living apartments and manages nine day-service locations that focus on education, employment, and community enrichment. Road to Responsibility’s main office is located at 1831 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA. For more information, please visit www.roadtoresponsibility.org.