President

• Jul 2022 - Present

NCCAP Licensed Instructor

• Jun 2020 - Present

Individuals taking this course will learn practical techniques to communicate, interact and engage with those aging in place at home. This knowledge allows you to deliver life-enriching activities and higher quality care that can promote emotional well-being and healthy aging.You will learn to address common challenges associated with providing care in the home including: communication, mobility, memory, behaviors, eating, bathing, and taking medication. The competencies obtained from this course are designed to improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of both the care provider and care recipient. Individuals completing this course can obtain NCCAP Montessori Home Engagement Certification (MHEC) by completing additional education and work experience requirements. Show less

Vice President

• Jun 2021 - Jun 2022

Chairperson for Special Projects

• Jun 2018 - Jun 2021

Create and edit monthly NCCAP Newsletter-accepting articles relevant to the field of activities in long term care. Create, design, and edit videos and other marketing materials.

Board Member 'Special Projects'

• Jun 2012 - Jun 2018

Coordinated the online weekly NCCAP chat sessions for continuing clock hours of education which may be applied toward NCCAP certification. Coordinated monthly webinars-Create and edited monthly NCCAP Newsletter-accepting articles relevant to the field of activities in long-term care.

Director of Activities

• Jul 2022 - Present

Consultant

• 2009 - Present

Pre-approved to teach the MEPAP 2nd Edition-the 'Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals.' Facilitated MEPAP classes in hosting care communities. Use innovative methods and materials to produce effective learning experiences including cooperative learning, thematic instruction, and differentiation. Developed daily lesson plans and testing materials; leveraged the use of technology to enhance instruction.Highlighted Achievements-Keynote Presenter at 2022 Pennsylvania Association for Activity Professionals ‘Back to the Future’ Conference, ‘Measuring & Communicating the Value of Activities’.-Keynote Presenter at 2022 Linked Senior 3rd Annual ‘Activities Strong’ Virtual Summit: Voice of Activity and Life Enrichment Directors, Enabling the Social Prescription.-Presenter for 2020 NAAP (National Association for Activity Professionals) webinar, ‘Art as a Therapeutic Tool’.-Presenter for the 2020 WSAAP (Washington State Activity Professionals) Conference- ‘Art as a Therapeutic Tool’.-Presenter for 2020 Pioneer Network Conference, Envisioning the Future: 2020 and Beyond.-Presenter at the 2019 NAAP Conference-’Online Options for the Instructor/Consultant’ in Charleston, South Carolina.-Speaker and coordinator of the 2015 Activity Professionals of the Hudson Valley Seminar- ‘Keep Your Creative Flame Burning’ in Hudson, New York.-Speaker and Presenter at the 2014 First Annual Conference for Northern New York Activity Association in Ogdensburg, New York-Chosen Speaker and Presenter at the 2012 Educational Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Presented ‘Art as a Therapeutic Tool with Dementia and Palliative Care’.-Speaker and Presenter at the 2011 Educational Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Presented ‘The Quality Indicator Survey Process and its Impact on Activities’.-Coordinated seminars and workshops through the ‘Activity Professionals of the Hudson Valley’ Association.-Conducted Webinars for MEPAP students. Show less

MEPAP Instructor

• 2009 - Present

Instructor for Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals- one of the requirements for NCCAP certification.

Director of Activities

• Oct 2016 - Jul 2022

Life Guidance Director

• Sep 2015 - Jun 2016

Responsible for Life Guidance, a memory care neighborhood of 30 residents. Oversee activity programming, supervision of medication management, completed required documentation such as assessments and service plans, involved in budget management. Recruit, interview, train, teach inservices and responsible for staff scheduling of all care staff for Life Guidance and Assisted Living depts. Actively engaged in sales, marketing and customer satisfaction. Responsible for Life Guidance, a memory care neighborhood of 30 residents. Oversee activity programming, supervision of medication management, completed required documentation such as assessments and service plans, involved in budget management. Recruit, interview, train, teach inservices and responsible for staff scheduling of all care staff for Life Guidance and Assisted Living depts. Actively engaged in sales, marketing and customer satisfaction.

Webinar Instructor and Author

• May 2014 - Feb 2016

Presenting online Webinars to Home Care Industry personnel from assorted agencies. NCCAP has made available a level of activity certification specific to those working in the Home Care Industry as a caregiver to elderly in their homes/in home care. This will help to facilitate the following: - Set standards for minimum criteria for this growing field - Be a professionalism stepping stone toward becoming an Activity Assistant Certified - Recruit interest in the activity profession. www.ROSTherapySystems.com Show less

Director of Activities

• Jun 2014 - Sep 2015

Employed in 280 bed skilled nursing home. Responsible for the facilitation of artistic and recreational activities to general geriatric residents, a short term Rehabilitative unit, Transitional Care Unit and a Dementia Care Unit. Supervise 8 Activity Aides, 2 part-time Activity Aides, and coordinated Volunteer Program. Oversees & facilitates the timely completion of documentation for MDS+, Activity Assessments, Care Plans, Resident Statistics and Quality Assurance. Facilitates staff development. Show less

MEPAP Instructor

• May 2014 - May 2015

Offered the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals in a face to face classroom setting. Offered the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals in a face to face classroom setting.

New York State Representative

• 2010 - Apr 2015

Mentored and coached Activity Professionals to help them become certified. Mentored and coached Activity Professionals to help them become certified.

Director of Activities

• Sep 2013 - Jun 2014

Employed in 120 bed skilled nursing home. Responsible for the facilitation of artistic and recreational activities to general geriatric residents, a short term Rehabilitative unit, & Vent unit. Supervise two Activity Aides, one per diem Activity Aide, and coordinated Volunteer Program which includes Special Education, Community Service Programs, and College Interns. Oversees & facilitates the timely completion of documentation for MDS+, Activity Assessments, Care Plans, Resident Statistics and Quality Assurance. Facilitated staff development. Show less

NCOAP Board Member 'Special Interest'

• Jun 2012 - Nov 2013

Created & Designed NCOAP website. Responsible for coordinating social media sites related to National COAP such as Facebook, Linked-in, and Twitter. Created & Designed NCOAP website. Responsible for coordinating social media sites related to National COAP such as Facebook, Linked-in, and Twitter.

Activity Director

• 2008 - Aug 2013

Employed in 160 bed skilled nursing home. Responsible for the facilitation of artistic and recreational activities to general geriatric residents, a short term Rehabilitative unit, a Dementia unit, and an Adult Day Care Program with an additional 27 registrants. Supervise four full time Activity Leaders, one part time Activity Assistant, two per diem Activity Assistant Aides, and coordinated Volunteer Program which includes Special Education, Community Service Programs, and College Interns. Oversees the timely completion of documentation for MDS+, Activity Assessments, Care Plans, Resident Statistics and Quality Assurance. Facilitated staff development and instituted educational offerings to Activity Professionals from other facilities. Show less

Director of Therapeutic Recreation

• 1999 - 2001

Employed in 199 bed skilled nursing home. Responsible for the creation and implementation of artistic and recreational programs including sensory and cognitive stimulation activities for general geriatric residents, an HIV unit, and a Ventilator Dependent unit. Supervised four Recreation Therapists, one Music Therapist, gerontology interns, and coordinated volunteer program which included special education and community service programs. Obtained entertainment, intergenerational and religious programs. Responsible for MDS+, Resident Council, involved in Auxiliary, Dept. Head and Special Event Mtgs as well as facility newspaper. Show less

Director of Therapeutic Recreation

• 1994 - 1999

Employed in a 320 bed skilled nursing home. Assisted in opening this new facility, responsible for the creation and implementation of artistic and recreational programs including a Dementia program. Served general geriatric residents and a TBI unit. Hired and supervised a Recreation Therapist, 12 Therapeutic Recreation Assistants, a nurse’s aid, gerontology and art therapy interns, and coordinated a volunteer program. Made community contacts to obtain entertainment, intergenerational activities, and religious programs. Responsible for the care plans, quarterly notes and MDS+ assessments for forty residents. Facilitated Resident Council, involved in CQI and TBI teams, certified to teach Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention Techniques. Show less

Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor

• 1988 - 1994

Employed in a 561 bed skilled nursing home. Responsible for the care plans, quarterly notes and MDS+ assessments of seventy five residents. Supervised Activities Therapists, Aides, Assistant Aides, and coordinated volunteer programs. Made community contacts with Director to obtain entertainment and intergenerational activities. Handled purchasing requisitions to obtain recreational games and supplies. Coordinated daily schedules, led staff meetings, and responsible for the department in absence of Director and Assistant Director. Show less

Art Teacher

• Oct 1988 - Dec 1991

Art Teacher • Taught sketching, drawing, painting, and puppetry making to children aged 7-12 yrs. Art Teacher • Taught sketching, drawing, painting, and puppetry making to children aged 7-12 yrs.

Art Specialist

• Oct 1986 - Sep 1988

Employed in Joseph DeClemente Group Home, a division of SCFU for autistic adults. Responsible for the development and implementation of Arts and Crafts and Recreational activities. Supervised vocational workshop for the autistic in the Value Plus Shop, another division of SCFU. Med certified to give medication to clients and also CPR certified. Handled petty cash weekend activities budget. Employed in Joseph DeClemente Group Home, a division of SCFU for autistic adults. Responsible for the development and implementation of Arts and Crafts and Recreational activities. Supervised vocational workshop for the autistic in the Value Plus Shop, another division of SCFU. Med certified to give medication to clients and also CPR certified. Handled petty cash weekend activities budget.

Art Therapist

• 1987 - 1988

Employed in a Nursing Home, responsible for the development and implementation of artistic and recreational activities on skilled nursing floors. Coordinated SNF programming with HRF activities. Responsible for the care plans and quarterly notes of eighty SNF residents. Supervised Activity Staff and Volunteers. Made community contacts with Director to obtain entertainment and voluntary help for the Activities Department. Responsible for the Department in absence of Activities Director. Employed in a Nursing Home, responsible for the development and implementation of artistic and recreational activities on skilled nursing floors. Coordinated SNF programming with HRF activities. Responsible for the care plans and quarterly notes of eighty SNF residents. Supervised Activity Staff and Volunteers. Made community contacts with Director to obtain entertainment and voluntary help for the Activities Department. Responsible for the Department in absence of Activities Director.