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Russell Lehmann is a speaker, author, poet, and advocate. Russell co-presented at the 2021 Virtual START National Training Institute entitled, “It Begins with Listening: Avoiding Assumptions & Finding Opportunities” alongside Michael Smull and Mary Lou Bourne. In this video, Russell reflects on what Autism Awareness Month means to him. Russell challenges us to reflect on how we demonstrate in actions our awareness and acceptance of autism. His focus on whole person wellness is inspiring and connects to the wellness principal that is critical to START.
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Reflections on My Time as a Research and Training Associate
by Melanie Hecker, MPA
I was only sixteen years old when I first met Joan Beasley. When she heard me speak about my experiences as an autistic teenager at a National Association of the Dually Diagnosed conference, I had no idea that it would lead to my first full-time job as an adult. After she heard this speech, one of my earliest talks, she continued to reach out to me to participate in various training and research projects. During this time, I was not only going to college but also working in many part-time and volunteer disability rights positions. These positions provided both the skill and personal growth I needed after obtaining my master’s degree, when the National Center for START Services hired me.
My experience at the National Center for START Services was very much a culmination of every skill, identity and value I had developed over the past thirteen years, ever since I had first started advocating for people with disabilities and mental health challenges. While I discovered that I had a natural gift for public speaking at the age of fifteen, I needed to go to school and work in order to develop skills such as persuasive writing, data analysis, focus group facilitation and professional networking. My Research and Training Associate position at the National Center for START Services allowed me to not only utilize every skill I had built, but also to put the ideologies I had developed into practice. My professional and educational experiences had taught me that people with disabilities are not broken, and this is an attitude which the National Center for START Services embraces wholeheartedly.
Everything I have done at the National Center for START Services has drawn on the skills and ideologies I have spent my entire adolescence and adulthood developing. Whether I was facilitating focus groups to develop a guide for medication prescribers on how to treat people with developmental disabilities, writing assessment questions to evaluate a training based on this guide, analyzing data to evaluate state-level START programs, or even conducting my own survey on the experiences of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was using everything I had spent half of my lifetime learning. By successfully using these skills, I was not only fulfilling my goal of helping other people like me but also showing all the people who thought I could not work in my field that they were wrong.
As I leave my position for a Budgeting Analyst position at the New York State Office of Mental Health, I will always be grateful for all the wonderful experience the National Center for START Services has given me. The connections I have made during my time here will last a lifetime. I wish the best of luck to all my teammates.
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Spring has sprung and signs of rebirth and renewal are all around us. It seems a good time to focus on the +/plus in PERMA. In addition to Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment, the PERMA model also includes additional aspects of well-being that can be nurtured during Spring.
- Optimism: The signs of Spring – trees greening, bees buzzing, flowers blooming – remind us to be optimistic. Pay attention to your own signs of renewal and hope.
- Physical Activity: Take advantage of the spring weather to take a walk or hike outside.
- Nutrition: Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are available. Enjoy these nutritious foods!
- Sleep: After we all spring forward with daylight savings time, be sure to establish a good nighttime routine to ensure good sleep.
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2022 Virtual SNTI Presenter Highlight
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The theme of the 2022 SNTI is The Pursuit of Happiness and we are happy to announce our Wednesday Plenary Session Speaker Andrea Szucs, LMSW, RDT-BCT presenting on Practices to Promote Joy: The Power of Positive Emotions and Role-Play.
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Andrea Szucs (LMSW, RDT-BCT, SIFI) holds an MSW from Fordham University GSS, licensed by the State of NY, registered by the North American Drama Therapy Association. She holds a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology, certificates in Field Instruction and Interactive-Behavioral Therapy (Positive Group Psychotherapy for people with ID/DD). She is the author of peer-reviewed journal publications and the co-creator of The ACTing Cure Group model for people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. Ms. Szucs has presented in national and international conferences on using strengths-based positive interventions in action with special populations, and the use of role-play in social work practice.
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Andrea is Adjunct Faculty at his alma mater FORDHAM GSS and serves as a Lecturer / Field Instructor for Columbia University School of Social Work. She is a clinician, consultant drama therapist, and field supervisor at AHRC NYC. She works with individuals with cognitive and psychiatric disabilities, building on Positive Interactive Behavioral Therapy, using tools of Drama Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Improvisational Theater. She has a degree in professional performance as a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her passion is to inspire hope and to help others maximize their potential to thrive and flourish. Andrea is also in private practice in Manhattan working with couples and individuals and known as a professional actor (as Andrea Sooch).
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Network Employment Opportunities
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New Year, New Career!
YAI is seeking aspiring or experienced social workers, mental health counselors, and clinical professionals for our rapidly expanding START services in New York (CSIDD) and California (START)!
Please check out our exciting new career opportunities by city and coast by visiting https://www.yai.org/careers or email Hiring@YAI.org for further information:
- Clinical Director (PhD or MS/MA required) – Central New York, Fresno, Stockton
- Program Director (MS/MA required) – San Jose, Stockton, Berkeley
- Medical Director (MD, DO, or APRN required) – Fresno, Stockton
- Therapeutic Team Lead (MS/MA required) – Stockton
- Clinical Team Lead (MS/MA required) – Stockton
- START Coordinator (MS/MA required) – Fresno, Stockton, Watsonville, San Jose, Berkeley
- Therapeutic Coach (BS/BA required) – Bronx NYC, Fresno, Stockton, Watsonville, Berkeley, San Jose
YAI understands how tough a decision like joining a new company and moving to a new area is for you and your family. Relocation assistance is available for all eligible potential new hires.
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Have a healthy and happy week,
National Center for START Services
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