At Strawberry Fields, quality care isn't just a goal—it's a commitment embedded in everything we do. We know that expertise and ongoing learning are key to delivering the best support to the individuals we serve, so we prioritize staff development at every level.
New Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) supporting our intellectual disability and mental health residential programs begin their journey with nearly 80 hours of specialized instruction before entering a program. This comprehensive training aims to equip them to meet the unique needs of those we serve while knowing they will be mentored further by staff and program managers.
Each year, Strawberry Fields invests in nearly 7,000 hours of in-house training across all our programs, ensuring that our staff stays current with best practices. Additionally, through the Bob Stern Fund, we offer scholarships for continuing education, empowering staff to deepen their expertise.
Recognizing evolving health and care needs, we've partnered with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) to offer certification as Community Health Workers (CHWs) through the Supporting Your Needs in the Community (SYNCH) program.
Tom Sutherland, Director of Quality and Compliance, explains: "Our partnership with CSIU for the SYNCH program represents a significant step in our commitment to quality. By empowering our staff to become certified Community Health Workers, we're not just investing in their professional growth—we're elevating the standard of care we provide. This specialized training equips our team with a deeper understanding of complex health needs, particularly in crucial areas like mental health and elder care. The result is a more skilled workforce capable of offering comprehensive support to those we serve."
Five employees are currently pursuing this certification and completing core training. We are proud to have two employees who have completed and graduated from the program. DSP Nehemiah Mitchell shares his experience: "I pursued becoming a community health worker to benefit my family, friends, and the people I work with within my community. The CHW training has given me the information, resources, and access to do just that! Being a CHW has grown the resources I can use and allowed me to gain wonderful relationships with amazing people in nearby counties in Pennsylvania.”
This multifaceted approach to staff development—combining in-house training, continuing education, and specialized certifications—demonstrates our commitment to care standards across all programs. We believe that by investing in our staff, we're directly improving the lives of the individuals and families who rely on us, especially within our mental health and intellectual disability residential programs.
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