Each year, with generous support from the Hy & Sadie Sussman Fund for Eldercare & Aging in Place, CARES (the Federation department focused on the needs of older adults) runs a professional development day for the staff of its 11 constituent partner agencies/departments that work with older adults. It is always a highlight on the CARES calendar – a day of learning and networking.
Last month participants gathered to discuss the topic of Ethical Dilemmas in Working with Older Adults with guest speaker Stephen Sidorsky, LCSW, Continuing Education Instructor at Rutgers School of Social Work.
This year, for the first time, CARES was pleased to use this program as an opportunity to honor and celebrate eight devoted professionals with CARES Awards for Professional Excellence. Each of these individuals was nominated by their agency for displaying the following qualities:
- Delivers services of the highest caliber
- Views each older adult as an individual with unique abilities and needs
- Treats older adults with respect and without condescension
- Acts promptly and responsively to clients’ and colleagues’ needs and requests
- Works collaboratively and, when needed, seeks resources from other agencies
- Continues to learn and improve/stays aware of current best practices
- Demonstrates compassion and commitment
- Is someone from whom each of us would want to receive services.
Congratulations to the eight honorees highlighted below!
Shown celebrating the presentation of the awards are (L to R): Rabbi Richard Kirsch (award recipient from Federation’s Chaplaincy Department), Siobhan Flynn-Higgins (award recipient from Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ), Letticia Waymer (Director, Residential Services & Operations, JSDD), Michelle Johnson (award recipient from JSDD), Diane Squadron (CEO, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ), Gregory Yucht (award recipient from Jewish Family Service of Central NJ), Tom Beck (Executive Director, Jewish Family Service of Central NJ), Audrey Winkler (Executive Director, JESPY House), Fred Blackmon (award recipient from JESPY House), Jackie Baranoff (Director of Operations, YM-YWHA of Union County), Karen Rozenberg (CARES Chair), Deborah Victoria (award recipient from YM-YWHA of Union County), Benjamin Mann, (Chief Planning Officer, Federation) and Marian Marlowe (Director of Local Partnerships, Federation). Not pictured: Gina Goldman (award recipient from JCC MetroWest) and Rebecca Shulman (award recipient from Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest NJ)