It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fonthill Castle gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Jamison, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“Alway Best Care is always best!”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this”
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has helped us with finding the perfect match for our mother’s needs. The caregivers that they screen are kind and capable, very professional, my mother glows with contentment when they arrive which puts us at ease as a family.”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and caring. She does a great job making my life much easier. I would recommend Always Best Care Bristol to anyone.”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total care and the agency does a perfect job supplying us with the right caregivers.”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I have spoken to at the agency have been extremely helpful but more importantly kind and understanding. I have gotten quick responses to any inquiries I have made. The caregiver has been more than flexible and provides reliable help for my mother. I am feeling confident my mother is getting quality care to help her stay in her home.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well.”
“Alway Best Care is always best!”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back! ????”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my inquiries were satisfyingly met. ????”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Warwick Township Community Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Paradiso Restaurante or visit Washington Crossing Historic Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Jamison, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Jamison, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Jamison, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The investigation found that students in an autistic support classroom were subjected to abuse, neglect, restraints, and aversive treatment.Jeff Werner, Patch StaffDOYLESTOWN, PA — Members of the Central Bucks School Board on Thursday reacted to an investigative report by Disability Rights Pennsylvania, which confirmed abuse of students in a special education classroom at Jamison Elementary School and found that manda...
Jeff Werner, Patch Staff
DOYLESTOWN, PA — Members of the Central Bucks School Board on Thursday reacted to an investigative report by Disability Rights Pennsylvania, which confirmed abuse of students in a special education classroom at Jamison Elementary School and found that mandated reporters and administrators failed to properly report the allegations.
The investigation by the watchdog group found that students in an autistic support classroom were subjected to abuse, neglect, illegal restraints, and aversive treatment last fall by a teacher and an assistant.
Disability Rights Pennsylvania also found that mandated reporters at Jamison and in the district failed to file a ChildLine report and that the ChildLine reports filed by Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni on behalf of the district were "delayed, incomplete, and misleading."
In light of the report, the board placed Dr. Yanni on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a third-party investigation commissioned by the school board in February to investigate the classroom abuse allegations and the district's response.
"The abuse that occurred at Jamison was horrific, inexcusable, and I don't stand for it," said school board president Susan Gibson on Thursday night. "This abuse happened. I have never questioned it. I have advocated for leave of personnel. I've advocated for change, for an investigation, and I've tried to do it through due process. That was my reason for not speaking out up to this point. I intend, as a board member who has one single vote, to continue to advocate for accountability, to hold every single person accountable who committed the abuse, covered up the abuse, and was otherwise complicit in this abuse, which was absolutely horrific and no child should have to go through."
Gibson, who said the issue "hits deeply close to home" but did not elaborate, said she would "do everything I can to make sure those responsible will be held accountable. I will also do what I can to repair whatever trust was broken by me, this board or this district. And you have my promise that I will try to work with the community to heal, move forward and make things better for our students, and most importantly for our staff.
"Even though this incident happened, I genuinely believe it is an isolated problem with two very bad actors and this is not what our district stands for," Gibson said. "This is not what I experience in our district and in our very valued staff, our very valued educators, valued PCAs, and others who work with and for our students every single day."
Gibson added, "I intend to work hard to fix whatever happened to create a culture where there wasn't reporting of this abuse. I hope our investigation will shed some light on what those next steps are so that we can figure out how to prevent this from ever happening again because no child should be abused in a classroom."
In February, the board hired Leigh Dalton, an attorney with the law firm of Stock and Leader, to look into the allegations of child abuse at Jamison and how the allegations were reported out by the administration. That report is expected to be completed by the end of the current school year.
Board member James Pepper, whose autistic son was one of two students subjected to abuse in the classroom, said without the support staff union, the incidents would have been buried.
"The principal wanted to fire this heroic woman (the whistleblower) and the support staff union stepped in and prevented it. I have always been a union man and this is why."
Board member James Pepper.
With that said, Pepper called the district's teachers' union "disgraceful. They tried to strong-arm teachers who had direct knowledge of the abuse of children in that room and they tried to frustrate the DRP while they conducted their investigation."
Pepper, who called for the resignations of Superintendent Dr. Stephen Yanni and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nadine Garvin in January when the abuse allegations surfaced, said he blames them for "the cover-up of the abuse of my son and other children in that room."
He continued, "Why did this happen? I think there was a culture of protecting the principal. Rather than protect my son and other children in that room, Dr. Garvin protected Principal Dave Heineman. That is outrageous ... They sent my son and other children back into that room to be abused and did not care. They lied. They covered up. And at every turn, Dr. Yanni has lied. We knew enough information to put all of these people out on leave in early January, which begs the question. Why weren't these people put on paid leave pending the outcome of Leah Dalton's investigation?
"This can never happen again," said Pepper. "If it was up to Dr. Yanni and Dr. Garvin and (Human Resources Director Robert) Mr. Freiling, my son would have been restrained multiple times today for 20 to 40 minutes at a clip, he would have been left nude on a filthy bathroom floor, etc. I will never get over this," he said.
The board's vice president, Heather Reynolds, echoed board president Susan Gibson's remarks and told Pepper and the other families with children in the special education classroom "my heart goes out to you.
"Speaking as a mother of two in the district, I want to begin by saying how outraged I am and have been that this has occurred in our district," said Reynolds. "The reports from the Jamison special education classroom, particularly the findings in the DRP report, are horrifying and heartbreaking. And like many of you, I am not only deeply disturbed by what has come to light, but I am furious."
Central Bucks School Board Member Heather Reynolds.
Reynolds continued, "Our students, who are the most vulnerable, deserve to be respected, protected and cared for - always. When that sacred trust is broken, the harm is immeasurable not only for the children directly impacted, but for their families, our staff, and our entire community ... In light of the DRP report, the board has taken decisive action and Dr. Yanni has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing third-party investigation. And let me be clear. The board takes all allegations seriously. And when the facts warrant action, we do act. Accountability is not optional. It is essential. In moments like this, words are not enough. Actions must follow and it has. And it will continue to follow."
Board member Dana Foley apologized "to the families who feel devastation and heartbreak. I am sorry," she said. "As a board director, I am also devastated. I am sorry and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. After reading the report, some of it was not news. Some of it was. And I had to reflect at how utterly disgusted and furious I am ... My heart breaks for the families involved."
Foley added, "The accusations of misconduct in this report have not been overlooked and are being taken very seriously. All of this could have been avoided. It should have been avoided because there are safeguards in place to prevent events like this from happening ... I will do all I can as a board director to try to turn things around here on this issue and far beyond it."
Central Bucks School Board Member Dana Foley.
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