Springbrook will expand and enhance its employee training program through a new initiative—the Rural Support System (RSS). The organization has a proud history of offering the most comprehensive employee training in the field, and now it will be extending that training to the families of the people it supports in the Self-Directed Services (SDS) program.
Oneonta, NY, August 19, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Springbrook will expand and enhance its employee training program through a new initiative - the Rural Support System (RSS). The organization has a proud history of offering the most comprehensive employee training in the field, and now it will be extending that training to the families of the people it supports in the Self-Directed Services (SDS) program. The first step in that process has been accomplished through the selection of a new Assistant Director of Training and Development and the creation of the Instructional Designer position. In addition, Springbrook's technology systems are currently undergoing a major overhaul, which will ultimately result in several partnerships with smaller agencies across New York State. These partnerships will ensure that an even larger population has access to the most flexible supports and training available.
The new Assistant Director of Training and Development, Meghann Andrews-Whitaker, has joined Springbrook after four years of serving as the Executive Director at The Family Resource Network. The Family Resource Network is a respected Oneonta, NY nonprofit that specializes in the education and personal development of individuals with special needs and their families. During her time at The Family Resource Network, Andrews-Whitaker redeveloped the organization's Human Resources policies and procedures, including staff development and training. Springbrook is excited to welcome Andrews-Whitaker to its team of management professionals, where she will be responsible for overseeing the Training Department at Springbrook, as well as the Internship and Volunteer Programs. On her upcoming career at Springbrook, Andrews-Whitaker says, "I am happy for the opportunity to contribute to Springbrook's already stellar employee training program. I look forward to bringing my perspective and my years of experience in HR policy development, staff development, and training procedures to the organization. I truly believe that education and training are the keys to unlocking employee potential and am so excited to join Springbrook's wonderful team." She will be leading the training department in conducting, reviewing, and evaluating training programs for new employees in person and through Springbrook's online learning management system, Advance.
I am happy for the opportunity to contribute to Springbrook's already stellar employee training program. I truly believe that education and training are the keys to unlocking employee potential and am so excited to join Springbrook's wonderful team.
Meghann Andrews-Whitaker, Assistant Director of Training and Development
Todd McCarthy, Springbrook's new Instructional Designer, is a graduate of Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He has a long history of leadership and multimedia content design for a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, entertainment, and finance. McCarthy also has years of experience with eLearning and incorporating technology in the classroom and currently serves as Vice President on the Maine-Endwell Board of Education. His primary duties as Instructional Designer at Springbrook include working with subject matter experts from within the organization and creating instructional courses, assessments, and job resource materials from that information, to be used in Advance. Of his position at Springbrook, McCarthy says: "I am thrilled to be in a position to expand upon the already strong commitment Springbrook has to training and developing their employees. The burgeoning eLearning landscape affords many opportunities to add depth and reach to our existing training portfolio and I hope to help cultivate these opportunities into a truly valuable educational support system across the organization and the Springbrook community - and I plan on having fun doing it."
Thanks to a NYS Balancing Incentives Program grant, Springbrook has taken the first step in providing an expanded training program through the RSS initiative. The next step is to complete a transformation of the organization's existing technology systems. Once fully implemented, the Rural Support System will ensure that an even larger number of individuals with developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to access the least restrictive, most flexible supports available.
Share: