Our employee receives award!

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We are pleased to announce the recipient of the NYSARC Jonathan Weingold Scholarship is Carol Goerold.  Four $3,000 awards are presented annually (one for each NYSARC region) to full-time employees who wish to further their education.  Carol is pursuing her Master’s degree in Music Therapy at SUNY New Paltz to become a licensed therapist.  Her goal is to incorporate her expertise and apply these techniques to the people she serves.

Carol has been a dedicated, committed staff member since July 2006.  She began her career as a Day Habilitation Assistant at our Clifton Park Day Program.  After 2 years, she was promoted to the position of Day Habilitation Instructor II. As an Instructor in a classroom, she supervises two assistants along with providing direct care.  She is responsible for developing lesson plans that use the agency’s person-centered philosophy to ensure individuals are participating in meaningful and interesting activities in the classroom as well purposeful community endeavors.   Carol has not only strong relationships with the participants, but has a very nice rapport with family members and interdisciplinary team members.  She is caring, thoughtful and treats the individuals with the highest level of respect.  An exemplary role model, her co-workers speak highly of the passion and enthusiasm she brings to her job.  Carol embodies the quintessential employee, uses her experiences to offer helpful suggestions and ultimately enhances lives. 

Three years ago, Carol created a music group for the people who attend the Clifton Park Program. They rehearse weekly to prepare for concerts.  Along with organizing the rehearsals and concerts, Carol does an excellent job of involving individuals based on their abilities — whether they sing or play a percussion instrument.   

About the NYSARC, Inc. Jonathan Weingold Scholarship — The award honors Jonathan Weingold who was a symbol of the people NYSARC supports.  His father, Joseph T. Weingold, was the first President and first Executive Director of NYSARC, pioneered NY policy that significantly shaped national policy, advanced the concept that people with developmental disabilities should have a legal status distinct from other disabilities, originated the concept of a separate state agency responsible for people with developmental disabilities and was one of the primary founders of The Arc of the United States.