Ivelisse Valentin
2020 Exceptional Service Award Recipient

Direct Therapist
May Center for ABA Services
Jacksonville, N.C.



On March 17, 2020, the May Center for ABA Services in Jacksonville was informed that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our facility would be closed, effective immediately. The remainder of the day was spent notifying staff and families of this change in addition to drafting a plan to continue some viable service delivery model in-home. The COVID-19 pandemic had already taken so much from so many people, and now staff were fearful to continue seeing clients in-home due to unknown exposure risk.

Despite the fears, Ivelisse Valentin approached the revised service delivery model with a sense of calm and dedication to the families she had grown to care so much about as a Direct Therapist. When approaching the staff about in-home services, Ivelisse indicated that she was willing to work with any client and help contribute to any measures to keep staff and clients safe in the home.

Ivelisse meets all standards for an aMAYzing employee. She is dedicated, kind, compassionate, driven, creative, proactive, and a patient problem solver. Ivelisse maintained services for two clients until our facility re-opened. She completed daily COVID screenings with families and adhered to all home session guidelines (i.e., sanitizing area prior to working, completing hand hygiene routines, and providing ongoing communication to families regarding COVID-related policy changes).

Furthermore, upon returning to the center in June, Ivelisse continued to provide services both in-home and at the facility, given limits to serve in the facility per social distance guidelines. As the lead Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for our facility, Ivelisse regularly communicates with administration regarding needed revisions to the service delivery model to maintain safety. The May is very lucky to have a dedicated RBT who continues to serve as a leader during this difficult time.


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