Joanne Plourde

About Joanne Plourde

Working in the Human Services Sector for over 40 years. Beginning my career at the W.E. Fernald State School in Waltham working in a direct support capacity supporting some of the commonwealths most vulnerable and needy population. From there took a position with the then North Shore Arc where I stayed for 6 years working at Heritage Industries, working my way from a direct care professional to a program coordinator. This is where I developed my passion for a community based service delivery system and embraced the Northeast Arc’s mission. In 1988 I took a position with United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Boston Inc. as the Day Habilitation Program Director eventually moving into a senior management position with that organization as Associate Director of Program Services and stayed with UCP for 10 years. While at UCP I gained tremendous experience in all aspects of agency administration and management and wore many hats, having over sight responsibility for operations including the Day Hab programs, several residential programs, Personal Care Attendant and Family Support Services. In addition while at UCP I assisted with the coordination of Human Resources and was responsible for recruitment, hiring, and employment separations of the direct support work force. During my years at UCP I became very involved in the Massachusetts Day Habilitation coalition and served as the chair person of that trade organization for 2 years from 1997 through In I returned to the Northeast Arc as the Assistant Division Director for Day Services and stayed in that position until I was promotion to Division Director in 2001. Then promoted to Chief Operating officer in July 2012 where I have spare headed the strategic planning process furthering the mission of the organization. I currently have a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts- Lowell, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University.

Experience

1. Chief Operating Officer

   Northeast Arc

   Jul 2012 — Present

Education

• Suffolk University

  Masters of Public Administration, Public Administration

  2011 — 2014

• U-Mass Lowell

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Psychology

  1980 — 1982