Past MSSN Events

2022

  • January 13, 2022: No Sibling Left Behind & Sibling Experience Panel facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom for Northshore Education Consortium featuring Shruti Tekwani, LMHC and Betsy Raymond as panelists.

  • January 22, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • January 27, 2022: No Sibling Left Behind & Sibling Experience Panel facilitated by Hillary Dunn Stanisz, Esq. via Zoom for the Bedford SEPAC featuring Elanna Havdala and Betsy Raymond as panelists.

  • February 28, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • March 22, 2022: Family Dynamics: Who will be there to worry when I am not? facilitated by Patric Barbieri via Zoom

  • March 28, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • April 6th, 2022: No Sibling Left Behind. Presentation for Northeast Arc Autism Support Center facilitated by Mary Valachovic featuring Tierra Jenkins and Elanna Havdala as panelists.

  • April 25, 20222: Empowering Families: Advocating for Your Child Together coordinated by Positive Synergy featuring Mary Valachovic as a panelist.

  • April 27, 2022: Where Do I Start? Who Do I Speak To? And What Should I Do if I'm Stuck? facilitated by Kerry Mahoney of The Arc of Massachusetts

  • April 28, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • May 18, 2022: Virtual Open House for Siblings 12 & Under and Caregivers:

  • May 24, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • May 25, 2022: No Sibling Left Behind. Presentation for The Arc of Plymouth and Greater Cap Code facilitated by Zach Rossetti, PhD, featuring Stephanie Dort and Mary Valachovic as a panelists.

  • June 29, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • July 28, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • August 30, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Simeone via Zoom

  • September 21, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • October 19, 2022: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • October 25, 2022: Sibling Experience Across the Lifespan. Presentation for Affinia Financial Group facilitated by zach Rossetti, PhD and Mary Valachovic, MSSN Director.

  • November 5, 2022: Sibling Experience Across the Lifespan. Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England Annual Conference facilitated by Mary Valachovic, MSSN Director.

2021

  • January 13, 2021: Planning for Two Generations, Future Planning Speaker Series featuring Alex Nadworny, CFP®, CTFA via Zoom

  • January 19th, 2021: No Sibling Left Behind presented by Hillary Dunn Stanisz, MSSN Co-President, via Zoom for the Medfield SEPAC

  • January 21, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Rubin, LICSW via Zoom

  • February 24, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • March 6, 2021: No Sibling Left Behind, Federation for Children with Special Needs Conference presented by MSSN Board Members

  • March 24, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • April 5th, 2021: Adult Sibling Panel Q&A featuring Mary Valachovic, Stephanie Dort, and Kylie Graves for The Cotting School via Zoom

  • April 13th, 2021: Adult Sibling Virtual Meet-up in collaboration with the Brockton Area Arc

  • April 15th, 2021: Special Needs Trusts, Future Planning Speaker Series featuring Fred Misilo, Jr., Esq. via Zoom

  • April 29th, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • May 26th, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • May 27th, 2021: No Sibling Left Behind facilitated by MSSN Board Members for DDS Northeast

  • June 2nd, 2021: Guardianship & Alternatives to Guardianship, Future Planning Speaker Series featuring Annette Hines, Esq.

  • June 22, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • July 27th, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by MSSN Staff via Zoom

  • August 26th, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • September 20, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by MSSN Staff via Zoom

  • October 16, 2021: No Sibling Left Behind & Sibling Experience Panel facilitated by Mary Valachovic with Tierra Jenkins, Volunteer, and Kylie Graves, Volunteer for the Grandparents Forum, Community Autism Resources.

  • October 20, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Mary Valachovic via Zoom

  • November 8, 2021: Future Planning for Spanish Caregivers (Part 1). The Arc of MA Transition Conference

  • November 15, 2021:Future Planning for Spanish Caregivers (Part 2): The Arc of MA Transition Conference:

  • November 15, 2021: No Sibling Left Behind & Sibling Experience Panel facilitated by Zach Rossetti, PhD and Mary Valachovic with Tierra Jenkins, Volunteer, and Kylie Graves, Volunteer for UMass Lowell.

  • November 16, 2021: No Sibling Left Behind & Sibling Experience Panel facilitated by Zach Rossetti, PhD and Mary Valachovic for Northborough Southborough SEPAC (NSPAC).

  • November 22, 2021: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by MSSN Staff via Zoom

2020

  • January 31, 2020: Northeast Region of Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change’s (MFOFC) Family Leadership Series, Co-Presidents of MSSN Board Zach Rossetti and Hillary Dunn Stanisz presented and sat as panelists, Rockport MA

  • March 4, 2020: 42nd Annual Legislative Reception at the State House. Shruti Tekwani, LMHC, MSSN Board Member represented the MSSN.

  • March 10, 2020: No Sibling Left Behindpresented by Hillary Dunn Stanisz, Co-President, and Kathleen Amaral, Plymouth Area Arc, Plymouth MA

  • March 21, 2020: Webinar | Covid-19: Being a sibling to a person w/ a disability. Shruti Tekwani, LMHC, MSSN Board Member led this webinar for siblings

  • POSTPONED March 24, 2020: No Sibling Left Behind presented by Hillary Dunn Stanisz, Co-President, and Stephanie Dort, MSSN Board Member, Medfield SEPAC, Medfield MA

  • POSTPONED March 26, 2020: Adult Sibling Gathering! Located at Brack’s Grille & Tap. Hosted in collaboration with the Brockton Area Arc

  • POSTPONED March 31, 2020: The Reelabilities Film Festival of Boston screening of “Once Upon a Boy.” Mara Quinn, MSSN Head Volunteer, participated on a sibling panel. Boston MA

  • POSTPONED March 31, 2020: No Sibling Left Behind presented by Emily Rubin, LCSW, MSSN Executive Director, Kennedy Donovan Center, Milford, MA

  • April 19, 2020: Having a Sibling with Mental Health Challenges During COVID 19 Webinar. Shruti Tekwani, LMHC, MSSN Board Member led this webinar for siblings

  • July 9, 2020: No Sibling Left Behind presented by Emily Rubin, LICSW for The Evergreen Center, Milford MA via Zoom

  • July 15, 2020: No Sibling Left Behind presented by Emily Rubin, LICSW for Plymouth Area Arc, Plymouth MA via Zoom

  • July 23rd, 2020: Future Planning is a Family Affair presented by Cindy Haddad, CPA, CFP for Plymouth Area Arc, Plymouth MA via Zoom

  • September 23rd, 2020: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Shruti Tekwani, LMHC via Zoom

  • October 22nd, 2020: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Rubin, LICSW via Zoom

  • October 29th, 2020: Looking Forward, Looking Back: Thoughts & Reflections of Adult Siblings. Adult panel facilitated in collaboration with The Arc of Massachusetts. Board Members Hillary Dunn Stanisz, Joseph Cicero, and MSSN Volunteer Monica Gordillo participated as panelists.

  • November 17, 2020: No Sibling Left Behind presented by Emily Rubin, LICSW for The Cotting School via Zoom

  • December 1, 2020: Focus Group for Spanish-speaking Adult Siblings moderated by Monica Gordillo, Doctoral Candidate

  • December 9, 2020: Sharing Space for Adult Siblings facilitated by Emily Rubin, LICSW via Zoom

2019

  • March 6, 2019: 41st Annual Legislative Reception at the State House (MSSN co-sponsored)

  • March 14, 2019: Engaging the Family in Sibling Support Workshop & Adult Sibling Meet-Up (co-hosted by the MSSN, MFOFC & the Brockton Area Arc)

  • March 23, 2019: South Shore Family Network Early Childhood Fair

  • March 29, 2019: MFOFC Family Leadership Series. Board Co-Presidents Hillary Dunn Stanisz, Esq. & Zach Rossetti, Ph.D. presented No Sibling Left Behind and participated in a panel discussion

  • April 2, 2019: Effects on Siblings of Children with Mental Health Needs presented by Emily Rubin, Executive Director of the MSSN, Director of Sibling Support at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, and Assistant Prof. of Psychiatry, University of Mass. Medical School

  • ​​April 10, 2019: The Cooperative for Human Services hosted a National Sibling Day Event & Panel. A Dialogue with Siblings: ‘Their Story’ of building bridges, strengthening bonds and advancing community relationships

  • April 20th, 2019: Songwriting Event with Jennifer Chute, Board Certified Music Therapist

  • April 25th, 2019: Intelligent Lives Screening & Panel Discussion, MSSN volunteer, Mara Quinn, participated in a panel discussion at Lesley University

  • April 27, 2019: Adult Sibling Meet & Greet! Located at Maggiano’s Restaurant, Boston

  • May 2, 2019: Sibling Meet & Greet! Located at Barrett’s Alehouse, West Bridgewater

  • May 21, 2019: Future Planning is a Family Affair presented by Hillary Dunn Stanisz, Co-President, Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, Dartmouth, MA

  • June 22-23, 2019: Sibling Leadership Conference 2019, Zach Rossetti, Co-President, attended the conference

  • June 22, 2019: Cambiando El Mundo de Personas Con Discapacidad (CEMDPCD) First Annual “Walk and Fair for the Disabled”. MSSN volunteers Monica Gordilla and Mara Quinn attended and represented the MSSN in Lawrence, MA

  • August 3, 2019: Adult Sibling Meet-up! Located at Revival Cafe, Cambridge

  • September 26, 2019: Sibling Grief Webinar hosted by MSSN Board Member Shruti Tekwani, LMHC

  • October 10, 2019: Adult Sibling Gathering, Co-sponsored with the Brockton Area Arc

  • October 16, 2019: Adult Sibling Meet & Greet, Roxanne’s Restaurant, Boston

  • December 14, 2019: No Sibling Left Behind and Sibling Panel presented by Zachary Rossetti, Co-President, Shruti Tekwani, Board Member, and Mara Quinn, MSSN Volunteer, Boston College Campus School, Boston, MA

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2018

  • February 27, 2018: Adult sibling get-together and presentation at Boston’s 6B Lounge, on ABLE accounts with Alexandra Nadworny of Shepherd Financial Partners

  • March 7, 2018: The MSSN was a co-sponsor and exhibitor at the 40th Annual Legislative Reception at the State House in Boston

  • March 10, 2018: Supporting Siblings of Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needspresentation and sibling panel at the Federation for Children with Special Needs’ Visions of Community conference in Boston

  • April 17, 2018: National Sibling Day Celebrationwith a free screening of Kelly’s Hollywood at the Fox Library in Arlington

  • April 30, 2018: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation and sibling panel at UMass Lowell

  • May 2, 2018: Effects of Having a Sibling With a Disability MSSN student intern poster presentation at the UMass Lowell’s Annual Student Research and Community Engagement Symposium

  • November 5, 2018: Adult sibling get-together and presentation at Boston’s 6B Lounge, on sibling-related research and policy trends

2017

  • January 30, 2017: No Sibling Left Behind Webinar Presentation with Olivia von Ferstel of the MSSN for Autism/Asperger Network (AANE)

  • March 27, 2017: The MSSN was a co-sponsor and exhibitor at the 39th Annual Legislative Reception at the State House in Boston

  • May 4-5, 2017: The MSSN co-sponsored a 2-day Sibshop Conference with Jewish Family and Children’s Service

  • June 24-25: 2017: The MSSN participated in the annual Sibling Leadership Network conference in Hartford,CT

  • October 3, 2017: Radio interview regarding Future Planning is a Family Affair on WCAP 980 AM with Doreen Arcus of the MSSN

  • October 3, 2017: Future Planning is a Family Affair Presentation with Cynthia Haddad of the MSSN at UMass Lowell

  • November 1, 2017: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at Ipswich Town Hall, Ipswich with Ipswich SEPAC

  • November 30, 2017: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation with Olivia von Ferstel of the MSSN at Northshore Education Consortium, Beverly

​2016

  • February 25, 2016: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at The Lurie Center – Coffee Convo, Lexington, MA

  • March 5, 2016: attendance at the Federation for Children with Special Needs annual conference

  • March 9, 2016: Webinar: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation

  • March 9, 2016: 37th Annual Legislative Reception, ARC of Massachusetts and the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council.

  • March 12, 2016: MSSN Adult Sibling Social Eventat Penguin Pizza, Boston

  • April 12, 2016: National Sibling Week Event: SibTips Trivia and Wine Tasting at The Spirited Gourmet in Belmont. The event was hosted by MSSN and The Special Needs Financial Planning team at Shepherd Financial Partners

  • April 13, 2016: Webinar: Future Planning is a Family Affair

  • May 2, 2016: Children’s Mental Health Week – Sibling Presentation: The Sibling Experience and How We Can Help our Children/Youth with MSSN President Emily Rubin. Hosted by the Wayside Youth and Family Support Network in Framingham, MA

  • May 18, 2016: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at Tyngsboro SEPAC

  • May 20, 2016: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation, sponsored by the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston.

  • September 16, 2016: Cosponsored a LIFE, ANIMATED SCREENING in Westwood, MA

  • October 20, 2016: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation, Franklin SEPAC

2015

  • January 20, 2015: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at Bridgewater Raynham SEPAC/BRSEPAC & Bridge Center

  • January 28, 2015: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at Ipswich SEPAC

  • March 7, 2015: attendance at the Federation for Children with Special Needs annual conference

  • March 18, 2015: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at the Kennedy Day School

  • March 9, 2015: 37th Annual Legislative Reception hosted by the ARC of Massachusetts and the Mass Developmental Disabilities Council

  • April 9, 2015: National Sibling Day Event ~to honor siblings of people with disabilities at the Cooperative for Human Services, Inc. featuring local authors of sibling books, networking, and refreshments.

  • June 3, 2015: Family Diversity in Our Contemporary Society, Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, Marlborough

  • December 8, 2015: Future Planning is a Family Affair, The ARC Massachusetts Webinar Series, Presented by John Kramer, Ph.D.

2014

  • February 26, 2014: MSSN Adult Sibling Social Group: Author Talk & Dinner Featuring: Matthew Quick, author of The Good Luck of Right Now

  • March 5, 2014: Making Our Future Happen: Feeling Safe, Included & Free ~ 36th Annual Legislative Reception, Hosted by Massachusetts ARC & the Massachusetts Development Disabilities Council ~ MSSN was a co-sponsor, The State House, Boston

  • March 8, 2014: Federation for Children with Special Needs Annual Visions of Community Conference Featuring the MSSN presentation: No Sibling Left Behind ~ Seaport Boston World Trade Center, Boston

  • April 5, 2014: Planning for the Future: Setting up Lifelong Supports for your Child. A conference hosted by the Connecticut Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind Featuring two MSSN presentations: No Sibling Left Behind & Future Planning is a Family Affair

  • June 18, 2014: MSSN Presents: Best Practices for Supporting Siblings of People with Disabilities, Resources, Research and more…ARC of MA Office

  • June 20, 2014: MSSN Board members attended and presented at SibsJourney: A Conference for College-Aged Sibs at Brandeis University, Waltham

2013

  • January 10th 2013: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Sudbury Senior Center conference room, Sudbury, MA

  • February 28, 2013: Executive Board Member Cynthia R. Haddad, CFP ® spoke to the Residential Management Team for the Cooperative for Human Services agency

  • March 18, 2013: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at Prospect Hill Academy

  • April 4 & April 5, 2013: Building Community Support for Siblings of Children with Developmental Disabilities, Special Medical Needs and Mental Health Needs Sibshops conference with Don Meyer at JF & CS

  • April 11, 2013: Future Planning is a Family Affairat The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center of UMass Medical School

  • May 15, 2013: “An Autism Conference: Awareness, Education and Action” Presented by Kennedy-Donovan Family Support Center In Collaboration with HMEA’s Autism Resource Center, Dean College at The Guidry Center, Franklin, Massachusetts

2012

  • January 8, 2012: Brunch at Aquitaine Dedham at Legacy Place, a social event for Adult Siblings

  • January 11, 2012: Adult Sibling Panel at the Emarc Family Resource Center

  • January 19, 2012: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Foxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council

  • January 26, 2012: Trivia Night at Upper Crust Pizza in Waltham, a social event for Adult Siblings

  • February 15, 2012: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Braintree Special Education Parent Advisory Council

  • March 7, 2012: Attending the 34th Annual Arc/MDDC Legislative Reception, Massachusetts State House

  • March 10, 2012: No Sibling Left Behind Presentation at the Visions of Community 2012 Conference, Boston

  • March 14, 2012: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

  • April 26, 2012: Trivia Night at Upper Crust Pizzain Waltham, a social event for Adult Siblings

  • May 5, 2012: Ice Cream at Bedford Farms, a social event for Young Siblings (7 -12 years old)

  • July 14, 2012: New England Aquarium, a social event for Adult Siblings

  • September 27, 2012: Film Screening of “Cowboy Song” with Q&A with director Marie Reagan at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA

  • October 23, 2012: Trivia Night at Tommy Doyle’sin Kendall Square, Cambridge a social event for Adult Siblings

  • November 7, 2012: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Massachusetts Statewide Conference for Direct Support Professionals, Plymouth, MA

2011

  • Tuesday, November 15, 2011: Dessert Night at Finale in Brookline, a social event for Adult Siblings

  • Sunday, November 20, 2011: Panel presentation at the Princeton Disability Awareness Down Syndrome Conference, Princeton, NJ

  • Monday, November 21, 2011: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Somerville SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

  • November 29, 2011: No Sibling Left Behind Workshop at the Brockton Area ARC

  • December 12, 2011: Trivia Night at Uno Chicago Grill, Burlington Mall, a social event for Adult Siblings