6.0 Major Accomplishments

“I am so grateful for the work you do to keep the OTDA training efforts running so smoothly. Many thanks.”

— From the Assistant Director of Training, Bureau of Training and Staff Development,
NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“This is a great group to work with. I think you guys did a bang-up job and the feedback received was really good.”

— From the Director of HEAP, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“I want to thank PDP... they keep us on track... they make this happen... we couldn’t do this without them.”

— From the HEAP Policy Bureau Chief,
NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“I commend your training and your staff... I really appreciate what you’re doing and how much you’re helping us out.”

— From the Director of Centralized Training/Special Projects in the NYC Human Resources Administration to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“Thank you for all that you and the DTAT team do throughout the year, and particularly for all of the extremely hard work that has been put in throughout the COVID response.”

— From the Director of the Bureau of Training and Staff Development, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“We made it through another challenging year. We could not have done it without you. We’ve had a lot of successes… All of the Webex [courses] are great… They are helping meeting training needs.”

— From the Assistant Director of Training, Bureau of Training and Staff Development,
NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“I’m thankful for the great work PDP has done to get back to in-person training. They are a well-oiled machine.”

— From a NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Training and Staff Development Contract Manager to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“Thank you and all your staff for all your efforts with this training institute. I personally know how much work goes into making this happen from the development of the training announcement to obtaining the training site location, hotel confirmations, confirming consultant trainers, etc. Thanks everyone on behalf of NYS-OTDA.”

— From a NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Training and Staff Development Contract Manager to the Department of Temporary Assistance Training

“Thanks to everyone who has made it possible through this scholarship for me to have my CDA. I did it!”

— From an EIP Participant

“Dear ECETP, I just wanted to thank your excellent customer service team member, Ciara, who was very patient and helpful over the phone. I’m an older man that is not good at computers and new to the website and she helped me roam the website patiently and kindly. Thank you for all that you do.”

— From an ECETP website user regarding
staff member, Ciara Haag

“Thanks again, Ally. PDP always comes through with support and help; as an independent trainer, I so appreciate it. It feels like I am not working alone!”

— From a participating trainer to EIP Event Approval to Ally Buonanno-Tardy

“I just want to send a little note to let the supervisor of Kait know that she has exceptional interpersonal skills and was very helpful.”

— From an EIP participant regarding staff member Kaitlyn McCormack

“This course was incredible. I have been trying to enroll for a very long time, as the course is limited to investigators only, and I am so appreciative for the opportunity to become trained in Forensic Interviewing of Children. I know that the position is incredibly important, and I will always do my best to provide the best platform for children of abuse to speak.”

— From a “Child Forensic Interviewing” participant

“Very knowledgeable expert presented on different types of opiates/opioids, what they look like, what people under the influence look like, how use might affect childcare ability, treatment considerations.”

— From a “Working with Alcohol and Substance Affected Families” participant

“Very informative course with a great instructor I learned what is needed and what to focus on to make effective progress notes. Very interactive with using Webex. I was able to keep focus on the course and participate.”

— From a “Progress Notes” participant

“Trainers were personable and provided information effectively and gave practical and relevant real-life examples to deepen understanding of the content. They cited that real-world examples shared helped to make stronger connections between concepts being discussed and practical application in the field.”

— From a “Life Skills Toolbox” participant

“The workshop was very informative and enjoyable! Everyone appreciated it and learned many new things that they didn’t know. It was very helpful in some way to all of us and we would like to have more of them to further increase our knowledge and application of Spanish with our consumers and co-workers.”

— From a “Basic Spanish for Healthcare Professionals” classroom workshop participant

“Well organized. Excellent visuals. VERY knowledgeable instructor that made thought provoking thoughts and created a very engaging discussion. This was excellent. Thank you!”

— From a “Technical Writing for IT Professionals” classroom workshop participant

“Great, thank you so much! And thanks again to you, Claire and everyone at PSWP for working to provide this training for DCS staff. We look forward to continuing to work with PSWP to provide helpful training opportunities for our agency’s M/C and PEF members.”

— From a Department of Civil Service training coordinator regarding a delivery of “Managing Multiple Priorities”

“It is good to have the opportunity to let others see what I have seen for the many years I have worked with you and PDP—you and your team are outstanding. You don’t need to be pushed to meet the terms of a contract. You and your team have the drive, talent, and skills to always provide the very best program you can.”

— From the OER contract manager in
response to data at Professional
Development Committee Meeting

[Regarding “Overview of the New York State Budget Process”]

“I took the time to go through the course. WELL DONE! As a visual learner (and non-DOB person), I really felt I understood (for the most part), the various components and especially appreciated the different modalities that were included to bring the points across. The conclusion (with additional resources) was extremely helpful too. I am looking forward to not only recommending this course (after final approvals) to our NYSLI group but also to our Excelsior Fellows as well. Thanks again! Great collaborative effort!”

— From the Office of Employee Relations Program Manager

“Our executive deputy commissioner was at our [NYS Fair] booth last week and played the Healthy Eating game! She liked it. I told her PDP developed it for us. She said it was just right, not too detailed, and she could see how kids would like it.”

— From the OTDA Public Information Office Marketing and Outreach Manager

“I wanted to send along a thank you for the efforts of both of your teams over the last 24 hours to assist us in downloading the OMH video—Addressing Community Grief and Trauma in the Wake of the Buffalo Tragedy—from YouTube and getting it posted to TrainingSpace with captions so that DDD staff were able to access the video.

As you likely know, DDD [The Division of Disability Determinations] makes up the largest portion of staff OTDA has in the Buffalo region, so it was critical that we be able to share this resource with staff in that area. The Commissioner’s Office and DDD are very appreciative of your efforts.

I know there is a lot that happens behind the scenes within each of your teams to get work done—especially when it is a last-minute request—so please pass this note along to all involved.”

— From the Director, Bureau of Training and Staff Development, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

“I have found this course to be informative, educational, and useful. This course and the topics were very informative. I learned a lot in this course. I must admit more than I expected, especially about the Boarders and the Lodgers, this was the first time I ever heard about the difference between the two in my 23 plus years of being an HRA Staff employee.”

— From a “NYS SNAP Household Composition” eLearning participant

“It’s an excellent course. The centerpiece is that gripping video on what it feels like to be lost due to not knowing the language you find yourself having to use. This video drove the message home and gave the lesson a much greater sense of importance. The nicely rendered images of the people and the interactive quality of how the images of the speakers changed when you placed your cursor over what they said lent a nice touch of aesthetic pleasure to the experience of this lesson.”

— From a “SNAP Language Access Training” eLearning participant

[Regarding the “Early Childhood Educator and Child Care Provider Appreciation” videos]

“I think the video is fantastic! It flows perfectly and the message is heartfelt. I love the messages from the Regional Managers, too! Great job.”

— From a Children & Family Services
Specialist 1, Bureau of Operational
Support Services, Division of Child Care Services, OCFS

[In response to the launch of the “Documentation and Recordkeeping for Enrolled Legally Exempt for Providers and Programs” eLearning]

“Thanks so much for the work on this project. It’s going to be very beneficial to providers.”

— From a OCFS Division of Child Care Services Child and Family Services Specialist

[Regarding “What Is Legally Exempt Child Care?“]

“Really great work. Thanks again for the opportunity as it was a pleasure working with you all on this.”

— From a OCFS Division of Child Care Services Child and Family Services Specialist

[Regarding “Information and Resources to Promote a Successful Program” eLearning]

“Absolutely loved this. I think it’s a great resource. Videos with all the agencies are very useful and engaging. Loved the rolodex, check your understanding at end.”

— From an OCFS Division of
Child Care Services Regional Office
Support Unit team member

“I was very pleased with the day of filming! Thank you to you and your team for making it successful and getting the green light to work with Club Fed. They were so accommodating, and the kids were amazing!! I am grateful!”

— From the State Physical Activity and
Nutrition (SPAN) Program Manager

“I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the great work that the PDP teams have been doing to support OTDA in the launch of the ERAP program. From the support for our webinars, to developing high-quality video products and hosting our Commissioner in the studio for a taping on short notice, to supporting what has felt like endless revisions and updates to the website and developing a custom TS Pass entryway for ERAP vendors, the staff of PDP never refuse the call!

I recognize, and so does agency leadership in the Commissioner’s Office, the great effort and long hours that PDP staff have put forth to help ensure a successful opening day for the ERAP program. Know that we see that effort as not just simply about helping OTDA, but by extension, serving vulnerable New Yorkers across the state."

— Director, Bureau of Training and
Staff Development Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

“This course reminded me to understand my biases about fathers, recognize the societal stigmas and to ensure I approach fathers with an open mind.”

— From a “Fathers Fundamental” course trainee

“Thank you for reminding me to listen to my families and what they feel is best for their children as long as there are no safety issues and to engage families in a strength-based approach manner.”

— From a “Safety and Risk Refresher” trainee

“Dialogue will be more a key part of my day instead of discussion. I will be more open to listening. Trauma is not something we remember but something we relive. This quote will stay with me when we decide to continuously asks our families to report again and again what they have gone through. Once should be enough. They don’t need to relive it over and over.”

— From a “Supporting and Promoting
Race Equity and Cultural Competence
in Child Welfare” trainee

“I intend to create a self-care plan and assist my team in doing the same. I intend to share this information with my team so we can all keep each other accountable in being sensitive toward the children and families we serve.

I can use the information covered during this course in many facets, but especially when addressing trauma with my clients: finding out the families backstories, asking the right questions, and therefore be able to make appropriate referrals to help their situation and make a difference.”

— From a “Trauma Responsive and Assessment Technical Assistance” trainees

“As an Advantage and Empire Afterschool program specialist, I perform site visits to our SACC afterschool programs. During these, I am primarily inspecting program quality. But knowledge of fire safety, egress, evacuation, etc., are all useful to me. I will be able to identify issues when I see them.”

— From a “Focus on Fire Safety
(Webex)” trainee

“This will allow me to provide technical assistance to providers when the activities are not developmentally appropriate. It also will allow me to encourage strength based perspectives.”

— From an “Introduction to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (Webex)” trainee

“I have kept the desktop guides to hang in my office and reference when needed. I have never seen them before and they appear to be a useful tool.”

— From a “Navigating Complaints 101
(Webex)” trainee

“As a registrar this course fortified my knowledge of how all 3 components work together to help establish great programs for children. I will use this knowledge in the field.”

— From an “Introduction to Statute, Regulation, and Policy” (Webex) trainee

“I will be able to better inform my providers when they ask questions about these types of situations.”

— From a “Special Circumstances Reporting” (Webex) trainee

“After almost 1 year with the Child Care unit, this course gave me the bigger picture of the program and answered many questions.”

— From a “Foundations of the Child Care Assistance Program” (Webex)” trainee

“I had my questions answered and feel better prepared to serve the families we do.”

— From a “CCAP: Countable and Excludable Income (Webex)” trainee

“I have truly enjoyed working with you and your team and am consistently impressed with the skills and abilities demonstrated.”

— CCAP Program Staff Manager

“This course was presented very well. The presenter stayed on task and was knowledgeable. We reviewed the two applications in their entirety, which was very helpful. I learned that both applications are similar; however, one is much shorter and has specific questions relating to child care. We also learned about eligibility. The child must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or have satisfactory immigration services. The client must prove their situation on the application and provide documentation to verify.”

— From a “Child Care Assistance: Eligibility and the Application Process” trainee

“I found this course to cover a great deal of the questions I had regarding my duties as a Legally Exempt Enrollment Agent. I really liked that the hosts would take the time to verify answers before giving them, even if it meant waiting until the following day so they could receive clarification.”

— From a “Legally Exempt Provider
Enrollment” trainee

“As a newly appointed LE supervisor I am now able to clearly define and have a better understanding of complaints.”

— From a “Legally Exempt Complaint Inspections (Webex)” trainee

“With schools ending for summer and camps beginning to open up I was really nervous about camps enrolling, but know I feel a little more confident with the enrollment process.”

— From a “Legally Exempt Group
Enrollment (Webex)” trainee

“This was a great class, covering the nature of substance use disorders, common drugs being misused, and ways to address substance use with shelter clients.”

“It was nicely paced, and well-structured and had a good comprehension of the facets of LGBTQIA+ issues.”

“We have LGBTQ+ guest[s] in my shelter and I wasn’t sure about certain ways to deal with them and help them but now I am a lot more comfortable in my abilities to apply myself and help them.”

— From “Working Effectively with LGBTQ Residents” trainees

“Excellent overview of interviewing and goal setting.”

“… reinforces best practices for interviewing and goal setting with clients in the case management setting using verbal language, nonverbal language, and SMART goals.”

“Trainers were amazing… This class had a strong focus on basic interactions, especially language, and subtle dynamics with clients.”

“Very informative.”

— From “Case Management Essentials for Shelter Workers Part 1—Interviewing
and Goal Setting” trainees

“I work with a few clients who I would diagnose with hoarding disorder. This course helped me think about ways to work with these clients while they are in my housing program and how to reduce the stigma associated with hoarding within our agency.”

“The instructor did a great job with the presentation. She hit all the key information and was interactive which made it easier to follow.”

“Excellent overview of working with homeless residents who have experienced trauma. This helped me to change my perceptions about people and their behaviors and being able to help them break down those barriers in order to better assist them.”

“I now have a better understanding of why my clients may act a certain way and this course will help me to build a better relationship with my client.”

— From “Trauma and
Homelessness-Part 1” trainees

“Excellent, informative, empowering.”

“This course helped us learn and understand the difference in diversity in our workplace.”

“This course will allow me to become more open minded when dealing with different walks of life.”

— From “Coming Together: Leveraging Diversity to Enhance Shelter Services” trainees

“So much new information, which I never knew, and is so helpful to my job.”

“As a supervisor who conducts weekly supervision, this will support [my] ability to answer questions and review reports to see what workers may need assistance with.”

— From “Automated Case Closure” trainees

“Instructors were amazing! Thank you!” “Very informative and enjoyable.”

“Very informative. I needed this course.”

“This course was very informative and a great learning experience.”

“A very well planned and paced class.”

“Energetic.”

“Concise and effective.”

— From “Child Support 101” trainees

“Both trainers were excellent in keeping me engaged by using teamwork and participation.”

“Jeff and Ally were very wonderful.”

“Very informative, motivating, fun.”

“It was an informative seminar on all basic and relevant aspects of the purpose and function of child support. The definitions provided will greatly assist me in learning future content.”

— From “Child Support 101” trainees

“Great class, Jeff was awesome. Very engaging.”

“Great training on how to build successful relationships!”

“This course was helpful in helping identify techniques that can be used to meet a goal successfully while communicating clearly and in a more effective way.”

— From “Building Better Teams and Relationships” trainees