The Building Partnerships Initiative (BPI) is implemented through written agreements and protocols, statutory changes, curriculum development and mandatory trainings. The Steering Committee sets the annual agenda and legislative efforts of BPI, reviews its budget and oversees its training activity. The cornerstones of the Massachusetts BPI are its written agreements and the collaborative work of its partners, as well as its continuous trainings resulting in thousands of individuals trained to recognize, report, investigate and prosecute crimes against persons with a disability.
Executive Committee:
Nancy A. Alterio, Co-Chair
Executive Director, Disabled Persons Protection Commission
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/disabled-persons-protection-commission
Elizabeth D. Scheibel, Co-Chair
Northwestern District Attorney (ret.)
Anthony D. Gulluni
Hampden District Attorney
https://hampdenda.com/
Jane Ryder
Commissioner, Department of Developmental Services
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-developmental-services
Steering Committee:
Lester Blumberg, JD
General Counsel, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health
Jennifer Dunn
Director of Investigations, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-rehabilitation-commission
Diane E. Coffey
Director of Victim Services, Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-for-victim-assistance
Brian Kremer
State Coordinator, Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
https://ma-advocates.org/
Bree Cunningham
Director of Protective Services, Executive Office of Elder Affairs
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-elder-affairs
Elizabeth Dunphy-Farris, JD
General Counsel, Hampden District Attorney’s Office
https://hampdenda.com/
Jennifer Franco
Counsel Education and Policy, Massachusetts District Attorneys Association
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-district-attorney-association
Katherine Gallant
Director of Investigations, Department of Mental Health
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health
Timothy F. X. Grant
Sergeant, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit
Disabled Persons Protection Commission
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/disabled-persons-protection-commission
Ursula Knight, JD
Chief, Elder Abuse Unit
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
https://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/
Liam Lowney
Executive Director, Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
https://www.mass.gov/mova/about-mova/
Bernard Murphy
Director of Investigations, Department of Developmental Services
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-developmental-services
Marian D. Ryan
Middlesex District Attorney
https://middlesexda.com/
Beth Scheffler
Complaint Unit Manager, Department of Public Health
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health
Mary Walz-Watson, RN
Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
https://www.mass.gov/ma-sexual-assault-nurse-examiner-sane-program