2019 Annual Conference

• Parking is available in the Parking Garage, 451 Great Hill Drive, Bridgewater, MA
• Shuttle Buses are available throughout the day

Jay Ruais

Jay Ruais is the Executive Vice President of Field Advancement at the Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit committed to ending addiction as a major health condition.

He oversees all of the organizations external stakeholder relationships, including its work with state chapters and Advisory Board while managing federal affairs initiatives on Capitol Hill.

Prior to working for the Addiction Policy Forum, Jay was the Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for U.S. Congressman Frank Guinta of New Hampshire’s First Congressional District.

Jay graduated with a degree in political science from Gettysburg College in 2008, and received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from American University in 2013. 

Conni DiLego

As a Social Worker for the  Plymouth Council on Aging,  Conni noticed a growing client list of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG). In 2005, it seemed that most of the issues were based on alcoholism.

Gradually the stories, already tragic, began increasingly to be centered around drugs. These GRG were stepping up to become caregivers and guardians.  Some grandparents adopted their grandchildren to save them from their afflicted birth parents or foster care. The issues were terrible, the legalities daunting, and support was non-existent to insubstantial.

In 2006, through the concerns of her local legislators, Conni became one of the founding members, and was appointed the Commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, by then Senate President Therese Murray.

Conni is also the founder and co-facilitator of the Plymouth Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group offered weekly at the Center for Active Living since 2005.

The Plymouth support group has formed an advocacy arm and is working again with State and local legislators to bring awareness of this dire situation; it’s relationship to drugs and alcohol; and to demand the creation of laws and services designed to ease the relentless stress of responsibility unhappily placed on these supportive, loving Grandparents! She and her group are passionate about their mission.

Conni retired from the Center for Active Living in 2017 however she is currently acting as Interim Director following the resignation of their most current Director.

James Cormier

James Cormier is the Drug Intelligence Officer (DIO) for Massachusetts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Overdose Response Strategy (ORS).  Before his position with New England HIDTA Jim was a police officer in the Town of Reading, MA for thirty-three years.  He finished his career with the Reading PD as Chief of Police for 11 years. 

Jim has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College, his undergraduate studies were also in Criminal Justice Administration and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Salem State College.  Jim attended the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at The Harvard Kennedy School in 2014.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the 233^rd session which ran in the spring of 2008.

He is the past President of the Northeast Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), and served on the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission as a Commissioner Representative for the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.

Hillary Dubois Farquharson

Hillary Dubois Farquharson is the Director of Prevention Services for High Point Treatment Center as well as the Director of the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative. Hillary, received her Bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College and her Master’s degree from Northeastern University. She began her Prevention work in the City of Brockton in 2010 with a single grant secured to reduce opioid overdoses. Since February 2010, Hillary has been responsible for the expansion of the BAPC, which now consists of 6 staff members that coordinate 9 prevention grants across 9 communities. This position has her  working with various key stakeholders to educate the community including active opioid consumers, individuals in recovery, their loved ones, service providers and the community at large on the risks factors of an overdose as well the signs and symptoms, and ultimately how to save lives.

Prior to Hillary’s work with the Coalition, she worked with a variety of different populations. In 2005, she worked with men who had just been released from prison at a transitional housing unit in Dublin, Ireland.  All of the clients that she worked with, in addition to having criminal justice involvement,  all had substance addiction, with approximately half of the clients struggling with heroin use.

In 2013, Hillary received the Excellence in Human Services Award from the Community Services of Greater Brockton. In 2017, Hillary was recognized by the national group Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (PAARI) for her outstanding leadership in linking law enforcement to community based solutions.  Later that same year, she was awarded by the Association for Behavioral Healthcare the Elizabeth Funk Emerging Leader Award, which is an award given to someone under the age of 40 who has made a significant impact in behavioral health.

Anne Marie Winchester

Anne Marie has been a Project OUTREACH, now PCO HOPE, volunteer since October 2016, managing the group’s social media presence and assisting at the drop-in center’s welcome desk assisting those seeking help to connect with on-site resources.  Taking the Recovery Coach Academy in February 2018, Anne Marie has served as a Plymouth County Outreach Recovery Coach, working with law enforcement partners in conducting follow up calls to assist in finding recovery resources for those in need.  Anne Marie owns and operates South Shore Race Management, a road race management company that raises funds for a variety of charities, including treatment scholarships.   Connected to her love for running, she assisted with the opening of the Boston Bulldogs Running Club Plymouth Chapter, a wellness community for people in recovery as well as those impacted by addiction.  Additionally, Anne Marie serves on the Board of Trustees at South Shore Hospital, The Friends of South Shore Hospital Board and The Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth Board of Directors.   As a Recovery Coach, Anne Marie’s own personal experience fuels her passion and dedication to develop and expand services for those affected by addiction.     

Chief Michael Botieri

Chief Michael Botieri has been a Plymouth Police Officer since May of 1985, being appointed to Chief of Police in November 2008.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program.  He is a past President of the NE Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates, Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chief’s Association, and the Plymouth County Police Chief’s Association.  He is a leader with the Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) initiative and the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative. 

Chief Scott Allen

Chief Scott Allen has been an East Bridgewater Police Officer since 1995.  He has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Drug Task Force Commanding Officer and Investigator, and Sergeant before becoming Chief of Police in 2016.  Chief Allen holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Plymouth State University and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England University.  Chief Allen is a member of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, is a leader with the Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) initiative, and national law enforcement council member for the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) in 2017.