In 1994 an Everett elementary school educator saw a growing need for health care access for Everett's children. Through her efforts and those of Everett's Board of Health, a group of concerned educators, school administrators, hospital administrators, civic and government leaders, health care professionals, Health Care for All staff and parents gathered together to form the Joint Committee for Children's Health Care in Everett. The Committee is a true partnership. It’s unique partnership and commitment has helped hundreds of Everett's children gain access to health care insurance coverage and become more aware of health issues affecting them. The Committee has also served as a model of Everett's spirit, cooperation and leadership. Today
the JCCHCE has helped people from over 80 communities in Massachusetts
gain access to affordable health coverage.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Dr. Alba Cruz-Davis; B.S in Biology/Medical Technology, MPH B. U. School of Public Health; MA in Women’s Studies and PhD in Health Policy
PRESIDENT- Elaine Silva, RN Everett Board of Health, City of Everett
VICE PRESIDENT - Annetta Kelley, Director Special Education, School Dept. City of Everett
TREASURER- Marzie Galaska, Director of Community Development, City of Everett
SECRETARY - Michael Nicastro, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Jackie M. Coogan, former President and founder of the JCCHCE, presently on the faculty at Bunker Hill Community College.
Deborah Kneeland-Keegan, Ellen Smith, Eileen Dern, Bob Marra, Melissa Rodriguez
STAFF:
RITA ESPINOZA ~ Outreach Coordinator & Parent Liaison
RITA ESPINOZA began work with the Joint Committee May 2010. As a result of the effectiveness of her outreach work, she has since been given additional outreach responsibilities as part of the organizational transition process. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has studied to be a medical assistant. She worked for 2 years as a member of an AmeriCorps Health Crew for ROCA, Inc. for which she did health outreach and education in Revere, Lynn and Chelsea concerning STD and pregnancy prevention, wetland conservation, and other topics broadly related to health. She has 10 years of experience in administrative support positions, which make her an excellent backup person for the Office Manager.
NICOLE GRAFFAM ~ Office Manager/Program Coordinator
NICOLE GRAFFAM began work with the Joint Committee March 2010 as an office intern, helping with all aspects of the organization’s work. By virtue of her enthusiastic, efficient, accurate work and capacity for learning on her feet, she was promoted to her current position. She has since been given additional administrative responsibilities as part of the organizatiional transition process. Nicole studied business management and early childhood education at the college level and worked as an administrative intern in the finance department at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Other experience includes direct care service for Cerebral Palsy of Massachusetts.
SANDRA MARTINS, R.N. ~ Tri-Lingual Outreach Specialist
SANDRA MARTINS began work with the Joint Committee January 2010. She also works full-time as a nurse at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home. As a result of the strength of her outreach work, she has since been given additional outreach responsibilities as part of the organizational transition process. A native of Brazil and a U. S. citizen, she is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
MAUREEN BARSTOW, Database Manager
MAUREEN BARSTOW is responsible for all documentation of outreach and enrollment activities in the computerized database, as well as follow-up outreach to new and renewing applicants for health insurance through the Massachusetts Connector. She has 34 years of experience in education as a business and computer education teacher. After retiring Maureen joined the
JCCHCE in 2006.
GAYLE BARSTOW ~ Database Assistant Manager
Gayle processes, maintains and tracks all enrollment records and documentation in the database. She assists with the research and follows-up on questions and concerns related to enrollments. She also assists with the preparation of all reports. Our assistant data specialist also works to track our clients in case management and to assure our data is accurate in all areas of reporting to the Massachusetts Connector and our grantors. Gayle comes to us with 15 years of experience in HR. She developed and implemented all personnel policies and procedures, administered compensation programs, maintained EEO affirmative action programs and reports, handled all employee relations, maintained HRIS database systems, and made sure that the company complied with all federal and state laws.
Sr. ELISETE SIGNOR ~ Health Advisor
SISTER ELISETE works primarily with the Portuguese and Latino Communities. She joined the Joint Committee as a Volunteer Health Advisor in 2006. She has worked at St. Anthony’s parish in Everett and the Scalabrini Center since 2000. Sr. Elisete speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian and is an ACA Navigator.
MIRIAN ANDRADE ~ Outreach Specialist
Mirian began working with the Joint Committee in October 2013. She is responsible for working with Sr. Elisete to conduct outreach to the Portuguese and Spanish speaking community of Everett and its surrounding communities. Mirian has experience in advocacy work and is tri-lingual in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
MONICA ULYSSE ~ Health Advisor, ACA Navigator
MONICA ULYSSE works primarily with the Haitian Community. She joined the Joint Committee as a Volunteer Health Advisor in 2007. She has worked as a Certified Nurses Aide for over 10 years and volunteered at A Better Tomorrow for more than 4 years. She is an incredible resource for the Haitian community in particular and Everett community in general. Monica has recently been promoted from a Volunteer Health Advisor to a Health Advisor.
JULIANA TURNES ~ Youth and Teen Specialist, ACA Navigator
Juliana coordinates the Kids United by Service (KUBS) community service group. She develops plans and implements meetings and community service projects for the youth. Juliana has also been trained to be a Navigator to assist with the outreach and enrollment. Juliana is currently in her senior year at Salem State University.
Office Volunteers
DONNA DYER has been a volunteer with the Joint Committee for over eight years helping out in the office performing support activities, assisting at numerous outreach and fundraising events and attending monthly Partners’ Meetings. She has tirelessly given the Committee her time and dedication and brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the office.
KUBA In an effort to gain valuable input from Everett's parents, the Joint Committee formed a parent advisory council in the spring of 1997. The Council, known as the K.U.B.A. (Kids United By Awareness) develops awareness campaigns, organizes fund raisers, and serves as the Joint Committee's link to the parents of public and private school-age children. New community members are always welcomed.