Our Team
Division Director
Iceis Elliott, LMSW joined Benhaven in 2023 as the Individual and Family Services Director. She is a charismatic and dedicated licensed social worker with over 12 years of experience in the Human Service field. Iceis obtained her Master's degree in Social Work from Springfield College in 2018.
Clinical Supervisor
Richard Joseph is a Qualified DDS provider. He attended SCSU and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology and received a master's degree from Albertus Magnus College. Richard has worked with Benhaven in the IFS program since 2007 and has provided Positive Behavioral Supports to many challenging individuals with autism. Richard has helped his individuals foster a better sense of self.....and has also helped improve their independence by increasing their Activities of Daily Living and various strategies to cope during difficult situations. Richard believes that everyone has a purpose to find happiness and wants to tap in to everyone’s full potential of each of the individual’s he serves.
Family Support Specialist
Heather Ferrara is a DDS qualified provider. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in social work from Southern Connecticut state university and her Master’s Degree in social work from UCONN. She is a Licensed Masters Social Worker. Heather has worked with the IFS program since 2022 and has provided positive behavioral supports to individuals on the autism spectrum and other neurodiverse populations as well as those with intellectual disabilities and since 2018. She helps individuals identify goals that are important to them, and assists them with action steps to achieve those goals. She believes each person has unique strengths and preferences which are prioritized when working towards their vision for their best life.
Sarah Rosenberg is a DDS qualified provider. She is also the behaviorist for the Respite and CCH programs. Sarah attended Springfield College and received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In 2008, she graduated with a Master’s degree from Boston College. Sarah began her career at Benhaven in 2008 in the Individual and Family Support Division as a Behaviorist. She moved to the residential division in 2013, and joined the Northside team in 2015 as a clinical resource leader, later becoming the residential manager there. In May 2024, Sarah returned to the IFS program to provide behavioral supports for individuals and families. Sarah has a passion for working with individuals with Autism and developmental disabilities and enjoys helping those she supports reach their full potential and create a meaningful life.
Office Manager
Kristen Perzan provides support to the Director and the Family Support Specialists (FSS) in managing the administrative aspects of services. This includes: budgeting, billing, payroll, training/processing new employees, intaking new individuals into the program, and tracking proper documentation.
Individual Support Providers
Individual Support Providers, more commonly referred to as direct support professionals, are carefully chosen to provide one-to-one support to the assigned individual. They are trained on the strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of the individual by the FSS and instructed to follow the positive behavior support plan that was established and/or the goals outlined in the individual plan.