The Corporation
For 23 years as a contracted vendor to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department
of Youth Services, ACCEPT, Inc. provided services to at-risk and delinquent youth
through a variety of programming offered within detention, shelter care, residential and
secure treatment settings. During this period, the Corporation's programs grew from one
setting serving approximately 10 youths per year with a staff of 12 and an annual budget
of $238,000 to having served approximately 1500 youths per year with a total staff of 114
men and women and a total budget of $4.5 million.
All programs operated independently under separate contracts but with resources of the Program Manager, Clinical Director, Administrative Assistant, and Accounts Manager located at the executive offices at 1705 Main Street, 17A The Marketplace, Chatham, MA 02633.
The staff employed by ACCEPT, Inc. include: direct care workers, transportation drivers, cooks, culinary assistants, clinicians, substance abuse counselors, social workers, vocational instructors, teachers, nurses, maintenance workers, security personnel, water front supervisors, physical education instructors, recreation specialists, experiential education specialists, and administrators. Training materials, policies and procedures for each employee category have been specifically adapted to work with the high-risk adolescent population.
ACCEPT, Inc.'s operational history includes programming jointly operated with state employees, programming adapted from pre-existing programs, and programming (and facilities) fully designed, constructed and implemented by ACCEPT, Inc.
The Founding Officers
Garland S. Alcock, M.D. is dedicated to assisting young people in living to their full
potential. Raised on Cape Cod, she benefited from education in the schools of Chatham at
a time when academics were generously augmented by an array of service/recreational
clubs and programs in fine arts, performing arts and industrial arts as well as athletics.
Both through personal experience and professional training, Dr. Alcock has a clear
perspective on the impact of resources on child development. Throughout her years at
Wellesley College (Class of '69), McGill University (B. Sc.), and Boston University
School of Medicine her commitment to the many issues of children grew. Practice with
the National Health Service in rural Vermont convinced her that psychosocial issues
comprised an impressive segment of pediatric medicine. Residency in Psychiatry at
Naval Hospital, San Diego, CA provided a firm foundation in general psychiatry with a
unique perspective on the developmental issues of late adolescence. On return to Cape
Cod, Dr. Alcock with husband Jeffrey Frankel established ACCEPT, Inc. through which
they have created a range of programs for court-involved youth. Dr. Alcock is currently
the Executive Director of ACCEPT, Inc. and has served as Clinical Director for all of the
Corporation's programs. She is recently retired from a small private practice in
psychiatry providing individual and family therapy for teens and adults.
Jeffrey P. Frankel, M.A.T. has devoted his career to the educational needs of children and providing a secure environment for both teacher and learner. Graduating from the public schools of Long Island, New York, he pursued his B.A. in history at Oberlin College. After earning his Master's degree at Brown University, Mr. Frankel entered his first and most challenging classroom at IS 55 in Brooklyn, New York. Assigned to teach middle school history, he was faced with adolescents many of whom were not in the least "ready to learn" as their lives were severely impacted by family chaos, drugs and alcohol, violence, poor nutrition and mental health issues. In the center of this challenge he discovered the resilience of children and their great motivation to take on the world despite the obstacles in their paths. With humor, creativity, dignity, and constancy he kept his classroom safe and nurtured the learning process for hundreds of children. A further 5 years of teaching on Cape Cod revealed how significantly children in even this rural community are impacted by family and social issues. For more than two decades, ACCEPT, Inc. has benefited from Mr. Frankel's expertise in evaluating the breadth of a youth's needs and aligning remedial resources while maintaining security, providing professional staffing, and insuring budget efficiency and accountability. Mr. Frankel currently serves the Corporation as Program Manager.
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors which currently oversees the work of ACCEPT, Inc. consists of
five women and one man. Garland S. Alcock, M.D. serves the Corporation and Board as
the Executive Director. Mrs. Kerri Lotti served the Corporation for 17 years as
Administrative Assistant and has both teaching and administrative background. Mrs. June
MacDonald is Wampanoag (Aquinah) with extensive experience in administering human
service programs to minority populations. Jamie Neithold-Nash, D.C. contributes a
health perspective. Phyllis Nickerson-Power provides an understanding of community
needs and business best practices. Daniel Kenny, Esq. adds a legal perspective. The
Board serves on a volunteer basis. The Corporation continues to seek interested and
qualified members dedicated to developing programming for delinquent and at-risk
youth.
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