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Full Partnership Approach

Great care starts with great therapy, but as full partners, our support goes even further. We work alongside families to navigate the often overwhelming insurance landscape and assist in coordinating care across providers. 

Evidence-Based Practices

Clinically proven evidence-based therapy practices that focus on outcomes to ensure our clients receive the most effective care possible.

Cross-Organization Coordination

We provide therapy for individuals with developmental delays from birth through adulthood. Clinical partnerships that span a wide breadth of age groups and diagnoses enable us to better understand and treat each individual’s unique needs.

OUR MISSION

Empowering families to reach their potential through early diagnosis and exceptional, innovative, interdisciplinary care.

OUR VISION

Transforming lives as a leader in innovative, integrated and person-centered care.
Our interdisciplinary team provides comprehensive care by incorporating applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech and occupational therapy, social work, and diagnostic evaluations to empower children and their families throughout all stages of development and growth.

OUR VALUES

Clinical Excellence

Our services are evidence based, outcomes driven, effective, and high quality.

Collaborative

Our interdisciplinary teams work together to provide the best care. We create a relationship-driven, inclusive community where everyone’s ideas are welcome.

Optimism and Hope

We maintain a positive attitude and bring our clients hope.

Inclusive

We value diversity and seek equity. We serve all communities, including many that are often underserved and under-resourced.

Ethical

We act with integrity and transparency.

OUR HISTORY

Autism Care Partners was launched to achieve a single goal: Unifying like-minded behavioral health organizations to collectively expand and improve the assessment, treatment, and therapy available to individuals with developmental delays.

As clinical research and resources aligned to extend care beyond toddler years, ACP launched a private insurance-reimbursed program designed to improve coordination, consistency, and availability of care for all individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In 2018, we launched our first center-based program that further expanded our capabilities by allowing increased socialization opportunities and customization of treatment plans. Our center-based programs ensure that we meet our clients’ unique needs in the most appropriate treatment setting possible.

Through our comprehensive operating approach, we seek to be the best partner to families and individuals impacted by ASD. The ACP family has grown into an autism services industry leader by uniting with partner organizations and collaborating with local partners to improve care coordination while ensuring that each client, and their family, receives the support necessary to reach their goals.

ORGANIZATIONS

ACP Early Intervention

New York Early Intervention and Pre-School Special Education
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PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY

We collaborate with providers and organizations in the community to ensure all clients receive the best services for them. By coordinating autism-related services, we connect key stakeholders and provide a unique, multidisciplinary spectrum of care.
  • Community Clinics
  • Developmental Pediatricians
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy Programs
  • Private and Medicaid Insurance Groups
  • Community Support and Interest Groups
  • Hospitals
  • Psychology and Evaluation Programs
  • Speech Language Pathology Programs
  • College Practicums
  • Local and National Autism Advocacy Groups

SERVICE DELIVERY SETTINGS

Autism Care Partners provides services in various environments designed to help each individual reach their behavioral goals. Please note, delivery setting options vary by program.

Home-Based Therapy

Home-based therapy allows clients, families, and providers to focus on individual behavioral milestones in a familiar learning environment.

Center-Based Programs

ACP operates multiple center-based programs which offer a unique, classroom-oriented approach to treatment. In addition to individual skill development, the centers enable our therapists to work on socialization goals as well.

Community-Based Programs

Clients may experience behavioral challenges in unique settings, such as libraries, markets, or restaurants. Our providers can work with your family to develop care plans specifically tailored to address concerns related to community locations.

MEET THE CEO

Jim Spink

Jim Spink

CEO

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Empowering families to reach their potential through early diagnosis and exceptional, innovative, interdisciplinary care.

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP

Andrea Lavigne

Andrea Lavigne

PhD, BCBA, LBA
Chief of Service Delivery

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Rachel Scott

Rachel Scott-Rosenbluth

MS, BCBA, LBA
Regional Clinical Director, Mid-Atlantic

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Yandira Acosta

Yndira Acosta

MSPED
Clinical Director, Early Intervention NY

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Lauren Hanson

BCBA, LBA, M.Ed
Vice President of Service Delivery,
Autism Care Partners

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Courtney Mullens

BCBA, LABA
Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

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Cameron Shalkowski

BCBA, LABA
Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

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Rachael Alling

BCaBA, LABA
Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

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Caitlan Freeman

BCBA, LABA
Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

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Elizabeth Bland

Director of Training and Quality

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Kara Morrison-Smith

MS, CCC-SLP, ASDCS
Director of Partnerships and VIS

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We’re accepting new clients! Contact us to learn more.

© Autism Care Partners 2024 | HIPAA Privacy Notice | Notice of Privacy Practices

Jim Spink

Jim Spink

CEO

Jim serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Autism Care Partners and its affiliated organizations. With 20+ years of progressive executive healthcare leadership, Jim sets the operating and growth strategy of ACP. Inherent to his leadership is the core belief that all children with a behavioral need can live lives of fulfillment through evidence-based, individually tailored care. This philosophy guides Autism Care Partners on a daily basis. Throughout his career, Jim has focused on improving the delivery of, and access to, healthcare for individuals with intellectual and behavioral needs. Prior to joining ACP, Jim was President of Beacon Health Options, where he oversaw over $600M in revenue and led a national team of over 1,000 employees. Prior to his tenure at Beacon, Jim led the implementation of Medicaid’s Personal Care Attendant program in Massachusetts. Jim holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University, Boston where he concentrated in Disability Services Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Jim serves as a Board Advisor to Behavioral Health Works, a national autism treatment organization, and has provided strategic and operating insight to numerous mental health, substance use and behavioral care organizations.
Andrea Lavigne

Andrea Lavigne, PhD, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Service Delivery

Andrea is a licensed clinical psychologist and board certified and licensed behavior analyst. Dr. Lavigne joined Autism Care Partners in January 2019 with a specialization in the early identification and treatment of autism spectrum disorder using Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Lavigne earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rhode Island before going on to earn a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Boston College. She earned her certification in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Lavigne earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Rhode Island under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Wood with a focus on neuropsychological assessment and research. Dr. Lavigne serves as the Chief of Service Delivery, overseeing the clinical service delivery across the entire organization. Dr. Lavigne also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island where she teaches Applied Behavior Analysis.

Rachel Scott

Rachel Scott-Rosenbluth, MS, BCBA, LBA

Regional Clinical Director, Mid-Atlantic Region

Rachel oversees the clinical delivery in our Mid-Atlantic region as a regional clinical director. She has 15 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA); working in multiple settings but with a primary focus in home services. Her passion for behavior analysis is only superseded by her passion to teach others about the science of ABA. She oversees the region’s case supervisors, the after school program, master-level candidates in pursuit of their Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), limited permit BCBAs in pursuit of their license (LBA), is our ACE provider presenter for continuing education (CEs) and more. She aims to have ACP be a place where clients reach their goals, staff will grow, and to promote a happy, warm, nurturing environment for all.
Yandira Acosta

Yndira Acosta, MSPED

Clinical Director, Early Intervention New York

Yndira Acosta is the Clinical Director for City Pro Group’s New York State Early Intervention Program. With 11 years of experience in the field of Special Education and Applied Behavioral Analysis, Yndira began her career as a classroom teacher for children with developmental delays. Since then, she has directed a variety of Early Intervention programs and currently oversees the clinical standard of over 350 cases. She established CPG’s first ever center-based program, leading a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the development and implementation of individualized intervention plans. Yndira holds a Master of Arts in a dual certification of Applied Behavioral Analysis and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Lauren Hanson, BCBA, LBA, M.Ed

Vice President of Service Delivery, Autism Care Partners

Lauren is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst. She joined Autism Care Partners in February of 2019 as a BCBA in our Rhode Island centers becoming the Regional Clinical Director in January of 2021. She graduated from Rhode Island College with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, a Masters Degree in Special Education and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Applied Behavior Analysis from Salve Regina University. Lauren worked as a special education teacher in Providence Public Schools for 7 years before joining ACP.

Courtney Mullens, BCBA, LABA

Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

Courtney is a board certified and licensed behavior analyst. She has been working in the field since 2013 and is passionate about ABA and the growth of her clients. She worked as a Managing BCBA in the North region and later became the Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery. Courtney earned her bachelor’s degree from Lesley University and received her master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons University.

Cameron Shalkowski

BCBA, LABA, Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery.

Cameron started at Autism Care Partners in 2020 as an Operations Manager. He is a licensed BCBA in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He has been working with people with developmental delays and/or ASD as a direct support professional and later as a behavior technician since 2011. He obtained his BCBA certification in 2018. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Fairfield University and his master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Salve Regina University.

Rachael Alling

BCaBA, LABA, Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

Rachael is a licensed board assistant behavior analyst. She has been working with the company since 2009 in a variety of roles and is passionate about being part of the growth to assist more families. Rachael earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Vermont and her BCaBA graduate certificate through University of North Texas in 2012.

Caitlan Freeman

BCBA, LABA, Assistant Vice President of Service Delivery

Caitlan is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst. She joined Autism Care Partners in September of 2021 as the Managing BCBA of our Worcester, MA center. She graduated from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and went on to pursue her master’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. Caitlan has worked in the field of ABA for over 15 years in a variety of settings and is passionate about early intervention and compassionate care. She is currently the AVP of Service Delivery for our Worcester, Holyoke, Amherst, Ludlow, MA, and Avon, CT centers.

Elizabeth Bland

Director of Training and Quality

Elizabeth joined Autism Care Partners as a BCBA in March of 2020. She is first and foremost a clinician committed to ethical practice with a history of serving families with diverse needs. Elizabeth now oversees the development, coordination, and implementation of enterprise-wide clinical training systems. Her contributions and special interests at ACP have resulted in partnerships with regional universities, a redesigned fieldwork supervision program, and emerging applied clinical research opportunities.

Kara Morrison-Smith

MS, CCC-SLP, ASDCS
Director of Partnerships and VIS

Kara Morrison-Smith is a speech-language pathologist and autism spectrum disorder clinical specialist. In her role as Director of Partnerships and VIS, Kara works collaboratively with Dr. Howard Shane from Boston Children’s Hospital on the implementation and expansion of the Visual Immersion System™ (VIS). As a member of ACP leadership, she consults with clinical teams, collaborates with schools, and develops external partnerships related to the VIS. Decreasing the time it takes for evidence-based practice to be implemented is part of what has driven Kara in her career. In an effort to achieve this forward momentum, Kara emphasizes cross-discipline collaboration, and has presented at ASHA, OCALICON, Milestones, and other conferences on AAC and research-to-practice topics. In addition to the work she does at ACP, Kara serves as a reviewer for the journal TEACHING Exceptional Children.