Square One Names VP of Family Services
Springfield, MA (March 22, 2021) – Square One, one of the region’s oldest and largest providers of early learning and family support services, has announced the promotion Melissa Blissett to Vice President of Family Support Services.
A native of Springfield, Blissett joined Square One in 2014 as a Springfield College School of Social Work Intern. Upon graduation in 2015, she joined in the agency’s Healthy Families and Supervised Visitation programs. In 2017, she went to work as a Child and Family Law Division Social Worker for the Committee for Public Council Services in Springfield. In 2018, she returned to Square One as the Assistant Vice President of Family Services.
“We conducted an extensive search to fill this important role,” says Dawn DiStefano, Square One President & CEO. “It came as no surprise that Melissa rose to the top of the applicant pool. She brings the perfect balance of compassion, expertise and solid leadership to every project and program she touches. It is an honor to have her on our team.”
Blissett graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Psychology and Developmental Disabilities. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Springfield College, where she currently serves as an adjunct professor. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and actively volunteers for the Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative.
“Working at Square One is truly fulfilling,” says Blissett. “Not only can I support families in our community as they work to become more independent, I can also influence the professional and educational growth of our staff and the agency’s commitment to addressing racial equity. My background at Square One has allowed me to develop the skills and passion to help realize the vision of the agency and the goals of our Family Services programming.”
Square One currently provides early learning services to over 500 infants, toddlers and school-age children each day; and family support services to 1,500 families each year, as they work to overcome the significant challenges in their lives. The large majority of Square One families are coming from situations involving poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, and other significant barriers that may inhibit their ability to get their children off to a good start in life.
To learn more about Square One, visit www.startatsquareone.org or contact Kris Allard at kallard@startatsquareone.org or call 508.942.3147.