OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
Staff Development Coordinators: EEDA invests in the success of its employees by creating positions for Staff Development Coordinators. Staff Development Coordinators deliver on-site training to new staff within our programs, providing ongoing support as they transition from orientation into their new role as a direct support professional. Staff continue to receive hands-on guidance from these experienced leaders who foster positive relationships, share their expertise, and model best practices at all of our traditional sites.
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Relias: Relias is the learning management platform used at EEDA. This system is a leading provider of education and training for human services and healthcare organizations. Relias gives staff access to trainings that are required by OPWDD, as well as those specific to EEDA. Additionally, staff can take elective trainings in various areas such as health education, recreation therapy, behavioral health, nutrition, and psychology. Certain Relias courses are even accredited by NADSP, facilitating the process of DSP I, DSP II, DSP III and Frontline Supervisor credentialing.
Vanguard Training Program: Our values guide who we are and the Vanguard Training Program guides how we lead. Vanguard means leaders of change. The Vanguard Training Program is led by Robert Budd, CEO of FREE, who is providing mid-level leadership workshops across New York State to I/DD organizations. The Vanguard Training Program focuses on practical management skills, communication, coaching, professionalism, accountability, and culture. In a recent newsletter article, Jennifer Carrasco wrote about her participation in the program:
"One of the most impactful lessons I learned was, "who we are is who we lead,” or as I like to think of it, “better me, better we.” To me, this means that leadership starts from within. The people we are, or the people we strive to become, determines the leader we ultimately become. This lesson serves as a reminder that effective leadership is not about authority or job titles; it is about demonstrating the qualities, values, and behaviors that we hope others will follow.
-Jennifer Carrasco
EEDA Cares Fair: In 2024, EEDA held its first EEDA Cares Fair. This event occurs during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week and serves as one of the many ways EEDA expresses its appreciation for DSPs. EEDA works with partners in the community to provide vendors at the EEDA Cares Fair who can provide information about resources in our community that can help DSPs success outside of EEDA. Our last EEDA Cares Fair featured vendors from FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Suffolk Federal Credit Union, Community Action for Social Justice, Walgreens, eVero, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, Long Island Lending a Helping Hand, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Cigna Healthcare, Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Riverhead Parks and Recreation, Focused Wealth Management, League of Women Voters, Queerli, and Planned Parenthood. We also provided EEDA swag to staff, refreshments, and raffled off over 28 gift baskets and fifteen giveaway prizes! We hope to see you at the next EEDA Cares Fair!
Training Tuesday: EEDA leaders, in both traditional and self-direction services, come together once a month for a shared training experience. Each session has a thoughtful topic with associated resources to distribute (a PowerPoint, quiz questions, and a poster with key points to post in the programs). In 2025, we covered the following topics: confidentiality, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, fire safety, health and wellness, professional boundaries, timely reporting, and meaningful activities.
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP): EEDA is a proud member of NADSP with access to the members-only section of the website, webinars, and other valuable resources. EEDA is committed to supporting staff in obtaining DSP I, DSP II, DSP III and Frontline Supervisor credentialing through the NADSP E-Badge Academy.
NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NYAII): EEDA takes advantage of webinars, resources, tool kits, and identified best practices outlined by the NYAII. You can view their current webinars here. As a member of NYAII, EEDA pays a reduced rate for webinars. If there is a webinar that you and your team want to attend, reach out to Denise Dubar to see if we're able to book the conference room and schedule it. Check out NYAII's Innovation and Learning tab for additional resources.
NYAII also has an Executive Leadership Development Series. This is an opportunity for growth for leaders to develop an understanding of how to apply assorted styles and tools to support professional growth at all levels. The program also features a Mentor Circle to provide additional opportunities for growth and connection.
The program includes a series of courses, reading materials, and discussion groups led by industry and educational leaders to encourage professional growth. The program takes one year to complete. All sessions are mandatory and are provided through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Participants are also required to complete two approved electives to supplement the program to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. To find out if you’re a good candidate for this leadership program, please get in touch with Denise Dublar, our Assistant Director of Education and Training at [email protected].
The program includes a series of courses, reading materials, and discussion groups led by industry and educational leaders to encourage professional growth. The program takes one year to complete. All sessions are mandatory and are provided through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Participants are also required to complete two approved electives to supplement the program to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. To find out if you’re a good candidate for this leadership program, please get in touch with Denise Dublar, our Assistant Director of Education and Training at [email protected].
Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation (RCWT): RCWT is a New York State initiative focused on strengthening the workforce that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. RCWT offers various resources and virtual training opportunities at no cost to attendees.
OPWDD Resources: OPWDD offered trainings are available in their Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS). The SLMS will allow you to enroll in classes, print certificates and handouts, launch online learning, and view your learning history. You can click the link below to create an account and login.
EEDA also streams OPWDD webinars in our conference room to create a space where we can learn together and foster conversation across programs. To participate in an OPWDD webinar at EEDA, please get in touch with Denise Dublar, our Assistant Director of Education and Training, at [email protected].
EEDA also streams OPWDD webinars in our conference room to create a space where we can learn together and foster conversation across programs. To participate in an OPWDD webinar at EEDA, please get in touch with Denise Dublar, our Assistant Director of Education and Training, at [email protected].
OPWDD also offers additional learning resources on topics such as Choking, Fire, Aging, and Self-Direction here:
Supported Decision-Making Facilitation: EEDA staff can now become a Supported Decision-Making (SDM) Facilitator through EEDA's partnership with AIM Services.
A facilitator is a guide who empowers people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to make their own choices. Their primary responsibility is to help the decision-maker identify trusted supporters, define the areas where they need assistance, and establish a clear SDM agreement. To learn more about becoming a Supported Decision-Making Facilitator, please reach out to Joann Ainbinder, at [email protected]
A facilitator is a guide who empowers people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to make their own choices. Their primary responsibility is to help the decision-maker identify trusted supporters, define the areas where they need assistance, and establish a clear SDM agreement. To learn more about becoming a Supported Decision-Making Facilitator, please reach out to Joann Ainbinder, at [email protected]
EEDA’s Tuition Assistance Program: supports staff in their professional growth and career goals. Please read the Tuition Assistance Policy below and contact our human resources department with any questions. We hope you’ll take advantage of this excellent opportunity! Get links from employee resource page.
Kinexion Studio: Keep an eye out for updates to the Kinexion Studio, a place to learn new skills and connect with your peers.
The Justice Center’s Spotlight on Prevention: In order to prevent abuse and neglect, the Justice Center produces materials to help equip staff with the tools and skills they need to identify situations that pose a risk of harm to the people we support.
Resources include:
Find these resources here: https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/prevent-abuse
The Justice Center continually develops and offers accessible, innovative, and effective training and informational materials in person, via webinar, or online. Find more information here:
Resources include:
- Information on important field topics (i.e. professional boundaries, best practices for providing supervision, securing wheelchairs in vehicles)
- The "Could This Happen in Your Program?" podcast and toolkit
- Self-assessment tools for creating abuse-free environments
Find these resources here: https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/prevent-abuse
The Justice Center continually develops and offers accessible, innovative, and effective training and informational materials in person, via webinar, or online. Find more information here:
The Justice Center continually develops and offers accessible, innovative, and effective training and informational materials in person, via webinar, or online. Find more information here:
New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation’s (NYAII) Executive Leadership Development Series: This is an opportunity for growth for leaders to develop an understanding of how to apply assorted styles and tools to support professional growth at all levels. The program also features a Mentor Circle to provide additional opportunities for growth and connection. The program includes a series of courses, reading materials, and discussion groups led by industry and educational leaders to encourage professional growth. The program takes one year to complete. All sessions are mandatory and are provided through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Participants are also required to complete two approved electives to supplement the program to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. To find out if you’re a good candidate for this leadership program, please get in touch with Denise Dublar, our Assistant Director of Education and Training.
