Grisell Figueroa: ‘The Heart and the Glue’ at RVCC’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative

When you visit the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative’s Chicopee office, the first person you’ll meet is Grisell Figueroa. The office’s administrative assistant, Figueroa sits at the front desk greeting visitors, running reports, and assisting CBHI director Ash Reynolds and the office’s employees. Behind her, a wall filled with awards and pictures tells a story of celebration and support that reflects Figueroa’s approach to her work. 

“I always tell them, ‘If I don’t have the answer for you, you’ll see that I’ll get the answer for you — whether it’s from the director, from the assistant director, from another supervisor, I will get the answer for you.’” Figueroa said. “I love helping the clinicians. I love helping the staff. I feel like this is a little family.”

A mother of four, Figueroa studied to become a medical administrative assistant at Lincoln Tech Pennsylvania. Then her family moved to Worcester, where she worked as an administrative assistant at VNA Care for 14 years. Since 2024, Figueroa has helped manage day-to-day operations at CBHI.

River Valley Counseling Center’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative provides children and families with therapeutic counseling within their communities. River Valley Counseling Center, a member organization of ServiceNet, provides outpatient mental health services for adults, children, families, and couples throughout western Massachusetts.  

Most of the time, the CBHI team works with clients in the comfort of their homes, but occasionally children and parents come to the office in Chicopee to meet with a clinician. When they do, Figueroa is often the first person they’ll meet. As a mom, Figueroa is familiar with the hardships children and teens often face. For her, helping the clinicians who care for them directly is the best way for her to make a difference. 

“What truly sets Grisell apart is her warm and kind nature; she welcomes everyone with authentic hospitality and maintains a calm, approachable demeanor even under pressure,” said Angela Bouchard, a member of the therapeutic training and support staff.

In the spring of 2026, ServiceNet held its Employee Recognition Dinner. Employees across ServiceNet and RVCC were set to be recognized for the effort, teamwork, and dedication that they’ve demonstrated over the past year. Figueroa, who lives with her four children and her granddaughter, wasn’t sure she was going to attend. She loves being home in Springfield, she said: hanging out in front of the house with her boys as they work on their cars, eating cookies and playing games with her granddaughter, or getting the whole family together to play pool or dominoes or have a cookout during good weather.  

But when Ash Reynolds, the director of CBHI, told her she was nominated for an award, the decision was easy. When that happened, Figueroa said, “I knew I just had to go.”

Figueroa received the Administrative Support Award that night — and another at the office, when clinicians created a special award for her, recognizing her teamwork. 

“When I first started working here, Grisell welcomed me from the very beginning, and I have been fortunate to develop a working relationship built on mutual trust and respect,” said Cari Chapderlane-Cox, assistant director of CBHI. “She is always willing to entertain my out-of-the-box ideas, and her presence brightens the office.”

While Figueroa has made an impact at CBHI, she believes the office has also helped her change for the better. She used to be quiet, she said, but has been able to find her voice, coming out of her shell and expressing herself more freely. 

For her colleagues, her presence has become essential.

“Grisell is the heart and the glue of the CBHI office. She keeps things running smoothly, and takes care of all the staff,” Reynolds said. 

River Valley Counseling Center’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative provides in-home therapy to children. For more information contact our referral team at 413-437-9200 or email [email protected]