News from the Noteworthy from Springbrook

Now that we’ve had abundant rain, I am sure we are all ready for some sunshine! But all that rain brings plentiful fields of wildflowers, a back yard full of color, and beautiful birds. When I look around the habitat of my back yard, I think this is the kind of diversity and integration I look for in my community and the cities I visit around the country and abroad. I do all I can to maintain a healthy habitat for the life around me, not only in the back yard of my home but also for my family, friends, coworkers, and neighborhood.

As promised, Springbrook continues expanding opportunities for employment growth, community connections, and collaborative partnerships. Every day, Springbrook works toward unifying community members, employees, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to ensure that everyone feels empowered to live their best life and is provided with every opportunity to thrive, which is why we are excited about new partnerships with the State University of New York at Oneonta, Hartwick, and Vêsucré LLC, and a new Employment Services office at the Ford on Main.

Springbrook and SUNY Oneonta have partnered to provide tuition-free Direct Support Professional credentialing, a program designed to provide knowledge about human services, specifically working with families and people with disabilities. This Springbrook Training and Education Program initiative will offer DSP micro-credentials I and II. The State University of New York, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and the National Association of Direct Support Professionals have partnered to offer this opportunity and nationally recognized credentials in New York State. Springbrook will provide a pay increase to DSPs upon completion of each credential level.

A new and exciting Hartwick initiative for the region is EmpowerU. This collaborative program is designed to provide people with disabilities with a comprehensive college experience. EmpowerU students will have the opportunity to gain valuable college experience through immersion in the Hartwick College community while attending classes and campus events, building social connections and valuable work experience through on-campus placements, and making lasting friendships by integrating into student life.

We are proud to launch an Employment Services office at the Ford on Main. This new employment hub for Otsego County will bridge the employment gap between people with disabilities who seek employment and employers who seek qualified employees. Employment specialists at Springbrook have successfully prepared and placed people with disabilities in paid positions in more than 145 businesses in retail, food service, and custodial, across six counties.

Last month, we entered a collaborative partnership with local business Vêsucré, which will open The Makery and The Maketeria at the Springbrook Oneonta Campus. They will host food production to employ people with disabilities and provide lunches for purchase to people attending the Springbrook Capstone Day Habilitation three days a week. Lunches will include vegan, gluten- and soy-free, and refined sugar-free options, catering to many dietary restrictions and preferences. They will also provide comprehensive training in food production, restaurant skills and operations, meal preparation and food safety, and cooking techniques.

In order to foster a thriving and interconnected community, it is essential to prioritize opportunities for growth and collaboration among employees, people with disabilities, and the greater Oneonta community. By coming together, leveraging our strengths, and sharing our perspectives, we can build a vibrant ecosystem that supports the well-being and success of everyone involved and creates a flourishing and healthy community.

Patricia Kennedy is chief executive officer at Springbrook.