PACES/Extended Services
About PACES
At Pilgrim Area Collaborative, we recognize that students, families, and educators may benefit from additional support beyond the traditional school day and classroom setting. Therefore, in addition to a comprehensive offering of Day Programs, Pilgrim Area Collaborative Extended Services (PACES) provides individualized services designed to strengthen skills, build capacity, and promote meaningful progress across school, home, and community environments.
PACES offers a comprehensive range of services, including home and community-based supports, district consultation and direct services, comprehensive assessments and evaluations, professional development, caregiver education and consultation, and social/recreational opportunities.
Through collaboration with families, school districts, educators, and other providers, PACES works to develop practical, meaningful supports that promote student independence, participation, and success across settings.
Our Philosophy
PACES services are grounded in evidence-based, developmentally appropriate practices and individualized to the strengths, needs, and goals of each student and family.
We believe meaningful and lasting progress is most likely when the important adults in a student's life have the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to support skill development across environments. For this reason, collaboration and caregiver and educator capacity-building are central to our approach.
Our experienced professionals partner with families, educators, and service providers to identify meaningful goals, develop practical strategies, and support the consistent application and generalization of skills. Depending upon individual needs, services may incorporate principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), positive behavior support, Applied Educational Neuroscience (AEN), trauma-informed practices, and other evidence-based approaches.
Our goal is not simply to provide support, but to build skills, strengthen partnerships, and empower the people who support students every day.
Our Staff
PACES services are coordinated and supervised by highly qualified professionals with advanced degrees, professional licensure, and/or specialized certifications, including BCBAs, LABAs, DESE-licensed educators, social workers, and other experienced specialists.
Our team brings expertise in supporting individuals with diverse learning, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, executive functioning, and developmental needs. Staff utilize evidence-based and developmentally appropriate practices tailored to each student's individual profile and goals.
Highly trained direct service and instructional support staff work collaboratively with supervisors, families, educators, and other providers to deliver services across school, home, college, community, and other naturally occurring environments.
PACES Director, Deb Booth, M.Ed.
Welcome to PACES! As part of the Pilgrim Area Collaborative, our mission is to provide high-quality, specialized services and comprehensive support tailored to meet the unique needs of our students, families, and community partners. Whether you are exploring our extended services, specialized programming, or community resources, we are dedicated to fostering growth, independence, and success for every individual we serve.
We take great pride in our collaborative approach, working closely with member districts and families to create inclusive, enriching, and supportive environments. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the diverse programs PACES has to offer, and we look forward to partnering with you.
Warm regards,
Deb Booth, M.Ed.
Phone: 508-747-6686
dbooth@pilgrimac.org
Home & Community-Based Programs
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Home-Based Programs are designed to supplement the student’s school program and facilitate learning across environments by helping families/caregivers acquire the skills needed to effectively support their child’s development. Through our unique parent training model, parents and caregivers are empowered with the tools necessary to facilitate the acquisition and generalization of skills across environments.
The process for making referrals for this service must come from the sending School District of the student involved.
Questions about and referrals for this service should be directed to:
Jamie Sousa, PACES Coordinator
508-747-6686 Ext. 2702
jsousa@pilgrimac.org -
This direct service model is designed for high school and post-high school-aged students requiring direct and explicit instruction in transitional goal areas identified within the student’s IEP and TPF including increasing independence in Activities of Daily Living Skills (e.g., self-care, leisure, personal and household responsibilities) as well as supported access to their community for travel, social/recreational, vocational, or personal (i.e., banking, shopping, attending appointments) needs. Parent consultation is provided to assist with acquisition and generalization of skills across environments, and to support families in establishing connections with adult service agencies.
The process for making referrals for Transition and Community Access services must come from the sending School District of the student involved.
Questions about and referrals for this service should be directed to:
Irene Volpe Barry, PACES Coordinator
508-747-6686 Ext. 2705
ivolpebarry@pilgrimac.org -
In this coaching model of services young adults participate in additional guided learning opportunities to complement and support their individual transitional goals with a life, academic, and/or job coach. Typically, individuals in this program have met and/or are in the process of completing graduation requirements for their High School Diploma. Once priority/focus areas have been established, individuals engage in practical and authentic experiences with guidance and “coaching” to support the acquisition of their social, vocational, post-secondary academic and/or independent living skills. With support of their Coach, individuals participate in self-assessments, skill-building, and practical experiences to identify future goals and enhance essential skills for independent living, employment, and/or higher education opportunities beyond the high school career. In addition, the Coach works with the individual and/or parent/guardians to connect with community agencies and adult service providers (i.e., DDS, DMH, MRC, etc.).
The process for making referrals for Transition Coaching services may come from the sending School District. Additionally, Independent (parent paid) applications are accepted.
Questions about and referrals for this service should be directed to:
Irene Volpe Barry, PACES Coordinator
508-747-6686 Ext. 2705
ivolpebarry@pilgrimac.org -
We believe that effective education requires the use of ongoing assessments to determine their students’ ability levels in various academic, social, communication, behavioral, and adaptive skills in order to guide teaching and learning. In the realm of special education, this assessment process is absolutely essential to drive instruction and provide information so that effective instructional supports across all domains of learning both in and outside the classroom can be implemented. The PACES staff offers the following comprehensive evaluations/assessments in the following areas:
- Home Assessment
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) – Home & School
- Social-Cognitive Assessment
- Sensory
- Educational
- Adaptive Behavior
- Transition Assessment
- College-Readiness Assessment
- Professional Evaluations for OT, SLP, Reading, Academic Achievement, etc.
Questions about assessments and for scheduling should be directed to:
Deb Booth, M.Ed., PACES Director
508-747-6686 Ext. 2701
dbooth@pilgrimac.org