Inroads Staff Are Top of Their Class!
Inroads to Opportunities staff members have been hard at work to earn and/or maintain certifications, which help our vocational rehabilitation programs and services annually support over 400+ individuals with disabilities living in New Jersey.
Director of Vocational Services Dan Bagnato (pictured left) has recently completed certifications in Community Based Work Evaluation through Certified Employment Support Professionals (CESP) as well as Systems Administrator of Carelogic by Qualifacts, the data management and billing system that powers Inroads.
“My new certification as a Carelogic Systems Administrator allows me to better support our staff in using our electronic health records system more effectively and efficiently.” says Dan Bagnato who has been a member of the Inroads Team since 2012.
Assistant Director of Mental Health- Quality Assurance, Connie Neseconti (pictured left) has also recently earned Systems Administrator of Carelogic by Qualifacts.
According to Connie who has been on the Inroads Team since 2000, “By earning the Systems Administration Certificate in Carelogic, I am better able to guide our counselors and staff in capturing the strengths, goals and needs of our participants which ultimately fosters their successes and productivity.”
Connie manages our wellness hotline and provides supports to our participants living with chronic mental health diagnoses.
Coordinator of Skills Training: Rita Christiansen (pictured left) recently completed the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Management Training to continue to support the Food/Dining Program used by Inroads participants.
Rita has been committed to Inroads’ mission since 2004. Beyond her responsibility for the Inroads Food/Dining Program, as Skills Training Coordinator, she ensures that our participants in the skills training programs get real-world experience with food service in our Cafeteria program as well as our SERV Safe Food Handlers Certification program, retail services with Inroads General Store, maintenance services with our Janitorial training team, and OSHA Forklift training.
Rita makes sure that 200+ Inroads staff and participants eat a healthy breakfast and lunch every day; and during the holidays, Rita cooks over 350 meals for Thanksgiving and our Holiday celebrations in December. For many of our participants, these meals are a highlight of the holiday season.
Inroads Transition Counselor Amy VanClief (Pictured Right, alongside students Marquis G., Center, and Chase O.) has successfully earned the designation of Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) There are several steps required to become a fully licensed Counselor in New Jersey. New Jersey has two levels of licensure, Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) allows Amy to begin to accumulate supervised experience toward earning her Licensed Professional Counselor designation.
“Studying for my LAC has taught me techniques and strategies on how to better prepare for and handle mental health counseling,” stated Amy.
Amy has had the unique experience of starting at Inroads to Opportunities right before the pandemic in 2020. She has helped Inroads adapt our hybrid transition program through zoom and kept the students as busy as possible over the quarantine.
Inroads staff members make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable population.
We are proud of our team!