b'20122022congregate care settings (likeIn 2019, after much advocacy onduring a very tumultuous year and a NEV) have the effect of isolatingBrowns part, the State Transitionhalf and named her NEVs sixth CEO. people and would have a higherPlan concluded that NEV is a burden of showing that the settingcompliant HCBS setting andNew England Village began as a has the qualities of a community- therefore qualifies for being akind of experiment in residential based setting and not those of anprovider of services to people with and vocational services for adults institution.I/DDcrisis averted. with intellectual and developmental disabilities offering them the At public hearings, parents, familyBrown retired at the beginningopportunity to live rich and members, and individuals supportedof 2020, leaving NEV in the verymeaningful lives; it has not only by NEV dominated the meetings, ascapable hands of Mike Rodrigues,withstood the test of time but they spoke about the outstandingwho stepped into the position ofserves as a shining example of services delivered by New EnglandPresident/CEO in January 2020.what it means to provide quality Village and its participants highJust two months later, he wouldsupports to people with I/DD. Its 50 level of community involvement.face a crisis no one dared to thinksuccess can be measured in its NEV advocates at those meetingspossible: a worldwide pandemic.growth: from three homes built in spoke with the same passion andBut with Mikes leadership and the1972, serving 13 individuals to 17 New England Villageconviction for New England Villagesupport of an executive team thathomes and apartments along with as the founding families had whenincluded COO Stephanie Costa,its CBDS programs at the Career & creating this model nearly 50 yearswho holds a Masters Degree inCommunity Exploration Center in earlier.Public Health, NEV was equippedPembroke and The Living Center to respond to the pandemic andin Pembroke, two day habilitation For more than four years, Brownkeep the individuals supported safe,programsthe Efron Center for worked closely with state andand healthy. It wasnt easy, but NEVEnrichment in Kingston and the Day federal agencies, and provider tradehas endured this challenge withEnrichment Program at the Sollar organizations designing evaluationthe same tenacity and grace it hasWellness Center, and programming tools and implementing the changesalways exhibited.at Colchester Farm. Today the needed to demonstrate thatorganization provides services New England Village was indeedLittle more than a year later,to 180 men and women through compliant with the intent of theRodrigues resigned from his postresidential and day programs. ruling.due to a family situation. The Board of Directors was quick to acknowledge the outstanding qualifications that Stephanie Costa had brought to the organization NEV_50Year_95x95_v5Final.indd 50 6/8/22 4:33 PM'