Richard Bartlett

Photo Credit: Steve Balestrieri

Richard Bartlett during last year's Memorial Day activities

Photo Credit: Steve Balestrieri

MILLBURY, Mass. -  Richard M. Barrett of Millbury has been appointed director of Easter Seals’ new Youth Transition Services program, which helps high school students with disabilities make the transition to work, higher education and independent living.

In Massachusetts, services provided by school systems stop when a student with a disability graduates from high school or turns 22.  Often, families are on their own when it comes to learning about state services available for adults with disabilities.  When families are unprepared, students may face long delays in receiving adult services.

“Easter Seals Youth Transition Services educates students to advocate for themselves in preparation for life after high school,” Barrett said. “We assist schools and students in developing a plan that can help them access adult services and community supports immediately after graduation.”

Asked how many people are on his staff, Barrett laughed and said, "right now its just me, and although I travel statewide now, we are working on getting clinicians and guidance counselors on-board here as well. He's working on developing programs and consulting with schools to help prepare the children for life after the school.

Before joining Easter Seals in October, Barrett spent five years as director and principal of the Mary Elizabeth McGrath Educational Center in Millbury, a program for students with emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities.

A Persian Gulf War Veteran who served 6 years as a corpsman with the U.S. Navy, Barrett is currently a captain and medical services officer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.  In 2011 he received the prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award for duty, honor and service. He is currently the XO (Executive Officer) of his unit, who are slated for one more tour of duty in Afghanistan before he retires.

He holds a fourth-degree black belt in Tae kwon do and still teaches a weekly class at the VFW in Millbury. And Barrett is the co-founder and CEO of Community-Based Health and Wellness, Inc. in Millbury.

Easter Seals Massachusetts provides services to ensure that children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play.  Nonprofit and nonsectarian, Easter Seals offers technological assistance, employment and training services, recreational activities, youth transition and leadership programs, veterans’ services, rehabilitation services and public awareness programs.  

For more information, call 800 244-2756 or go to www.EasterSealsMa.org.