January 12th, 2010
Springbrook will hold its annual gala on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, New York.
This year’s theme, Completing the Puzzle, is in support of the residential school expansion and our Capital Campaign. Click here to read more about our project.
Springbrook is proud to announce The Gaston Family as our gala honorees for 2010. Lynn and Randy Gaston of Howard County, Maryland are noted advocates of Autism and have seven-year-old triplet sons who were diagnosed years ago with varying degrees of Autism. Click here to read more about this amazing family…
There are lots of ways to support his event including becoming an event sponsor, advertising in our dinner program, contributing a donation to our silent auction or purchasing tickets and attending the event. Click here for more details…
This is sure to be an inspiring evening with a cocktail hour and silent auction followed by an elegant dinner and dancing.
No Comments »
January 8th, 2010
HBO Films Productions have created a film based on the life of Dr. Temple Grandin, a well-known speaker and author with Autism who has written books on the subject of Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
Dr. Grandin presented at last year’s annual NYSACRA Conference. Claire Danes, a Golden Globe winner, plays Dr. Grandin, a stigmatized, misunderstood young woman who learned to channel her unique gifts into a brillant career as a scientists, author and groundbreaking animal advocate.
The screenplay for the movie was based on the books “Emergence” by Temple Grandin and Margaret Scariano and “Thinking in Pictures” by Temple Grandin.
The film will air on HBO on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8:00 pm.
No Comments »
October 22nd, 2009
Governor Paterson has unveiled a Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP) to address the $3 billion current year (2009-2010) budget deficit. This translates into deep, local cuts which will adversely impact all human services agencies. The Governor proposed a $65.4 million cut specific to OMRDD which would have a dramatic, negative impact on the developmental disabilities service delivery system.
To underscore the immediate critical nature of the budget crisis, the State Legislature as scheduled a series of public hearings to seek impact of the Governor’s proposed DRP. NYSACRA will submit testimony to the State Assembly and State Senate as to the devastating effect these proposed cuts will have if enacted.
It is important that State Legislators hear from parents, family members, individuals with disabilities and those who work in the field as to the negative impact that theses severe cuts will have on developmental disability supports and services.
Please contact your State Assemblymen and State Senators with the following message:
- Devastate the OMRDD System
- Compromise the quality of care
- Shut down critical programs in your legislative district which serve your constituency
- Create job loss for employees in the field
- Negatively impact local economies which are already suffering
- Loss federal Medicaid funding and loss of revenue to the State as a result of Medicaid cuts
No Comments »
October 22nd, 2009
Springbrook has appointed Seth Haight as Deputy Executive Director for Programs, effective November 9, 2009. The position of Deputy Executive Director is new to the agency. It comes after ten years of tremendous growth for Springbrook, which currently serves over 650 individuals and families, employs more than 800 people and has an annual budget of approximately $32 million. The agency is expected to grow even larger thanks to a planned expansion to the School at Springbrook, a residential and day school for students with developmental disabilities.
As Deputy Executive Director, Haight will oversee Springbrook’s three major program areas — the School at Springbrook, Community Homes and Community Services. He will also be responsible for systems management and implementation of major projects according to the agency’s strategic and business plans.
“With his knowledge of the area, incisive approach to problem solving and business background, Seth brings great capacity to Springbrook,” said Executive Director Patricia Kennedy. “These skills, coupled with his strong commitment to our mission and philosophy, make him the ideal person for this new position.”
Haight comes to Springbrook from Hartwick College where he has been a member of the Development staff since 2004, most recently as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Prior to his position at the College, he was employed by Tyco International in a number of capacities, including Global Business Development Manager and Eastern Regional Business Manager. Haight received his Bachelor of Arts from Hartwick College and his MBA from Boston University’s School of Management. A native of Delhi, he currently lives in Oneonta with his wife and three children.
No Comments »
October 12th, 2009
We invite you to attend the
Open House & Dedication of
144 Grandview Lane, North Norwich
Please join us in celebration of our beautiful new home and welcome Norwich’s newest residents!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
4:00pm-6:00pm
Refreshments & Hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Reservations are required:
Please RSVP by October 27
to (607) 286-7171 ext. 283
Directions:
If traveling west on Route 23 toward Norwich: In Norwich, turn right onto Route 12 (Broad Street), and follow for 3 miles before turning left onto Grandview Lane.
If traveling north on Route 12 toward Norwich: Follow Route 12 into Norwich. From the intersection of Route 23, continue to follow Route 12 for 3 miles before turning left onto Grandview Lane.
If traveling south on Route 12 toward Norwich: From the intersection of Route 12 and Route 80 at the light in the town of Sherburne, follow Route 12 another 8.2 miles before turning right onto Grandview Lane.
No Comments »
October 7th, 2009
The National Autism Center (NAC) has issued the long awaited National Standard Report examining the evidence base of Autism treatment. This has been a several year project reviewing hundreds papers from scientific literature to provide a standardized, evidenced-based report newer than many of the other reports available.
The National Autism Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting effective, evidenced-based treatment approaches, and to providing direction to families, practitioners, organizations, policy-makers and funders.
Link to the report: http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/ecard/2009_NSR/index.html
No Comments »
October 6th, 2009
Christina and Robert Hendrickson have three children, two of which have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. They are an admirable couple who seek answers and are motivated to be part of bringing awareness to the numbers of children and families that are affected by Autism as well as promoting continued research for prevention.
Christina and Robert attended the autism March in Washington and were inspired by Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carey’s amazing ability to bring attention and awareness to Autism. They were so inspired they organized the first Annual Autism Walk in the City of Norwich, New York on April 20, 2009. In addition to the walk there were speakers who made presentations in the city park and families and individuals were invited to share their own personal experiences.
Frontier, Christina’s employer was the lead sponsor for the event. Christina was new to marketing and fundraising, but took it in stride and plunged forward in this new arena. She learned a few things about advertising and fundraising and anticipates a bigger event and the second annual event in 2010 of which plans are already underway.
Christina is proud of the interest, awareness and participation that resulted because of her efforts and Springbrook applauds Christina and her family!
No Comments »
October 2nd, 2009
Springbrook’s 2009 Duck Derby a ducky success! A fun filled day was had by all on September 26th when Springbrook hosted its annual family day and rubber duck derby. Over 2500 ducks were adopted and the event raised over $16,000 for Springbrook’s HELP Fund. Visist our website at www.springbrookny.org to see a list of winners. See pictures of the day on Flickr
No Comments »
September 4th, 2009
Katie, a 2005 graduate of Cherry Valley Springfield Central School and a 2008 Graduate of The School at Springbrook, was honored on June 16, 2009 at a luncheon coordinated by Springbrook’s Staff Development, CSS and HCBS Departments.
Katie was honored by Springbrook for her dedication and accomplishments. She volunteers several hours each day at the reception desk of The School at Springbrook and teaches a sensitivity class during Springbrook’s New Employee Orientation. Katie engages the attendees in activities and exercises that offer insight into some of the challenges she and others with disabilities face daily - her class has become a favorite for new employees.
Katie also volunteers at Little Bears Day Care, Cherry Valley Central School and the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown. In her spare time, she enjoys working out at The Clark Sport Center, enjoys having lunch with friends and partakes in many other community activities with her support staff. Katie shows some of her family’s 300 sheep at the Otsego County Fair each year and loves to travel and ski. Visit Springbrook on Flickr to see Katie’s sheep.
Springbrook is fortunate to have such a talented young lady as part of the Springbrook family.
1 Comment »
August 27th, 2009
The United States Senate has designated the week of September 14th, 2009 as National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. The Senate resolution draws attention to the critical supports the direct support professionals provide to millions of people with disabilities across the United States each and every day.
At Springbrook, we are fortunate to have an incredible group of employees working day to day and side by side with individuals and their families. The commitment of our direct support professionals goes beyond the scope of their job. What we see on a daily basis is a heartfelt commitment of employees who are willing to give up their own time to extend a beach trip for residents, employees who share new experiences and broaden horizons, and employees who have worked at Springbrook for 10, 15, 20 and up to 35 years in the service of individuals with disabilities.
On August 6th, Springbrook celebrated as eleven employees graduated from the Direct Support Professional Certificate Program. Springbrook developed this program in partnership with SUNY Morrisville. The graduates have studied diligently in their courses, worked at Springborok full time and manged their families and personal lives to achieve their certificates.
Join us in recognizing the amazing dedication of all our direct support employees. Add a word of congratulations, thanks, or share some memories below and visit Springbrook on Facebook to do the same.
No Comments »