A Message from the Director of Training — Margaret Chiara
Birch Family Services is committed to ensuring that our educators, clinical staff, paraprofessionals, supervisors and administrators receive on-going professional development. We recognize that a skilled and competent workforce is key to providing the finest education, habilitation, employment, and residential services to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families.
In 2001, Birch established the Birch Training Institute (BTI) to provide quality professional development to our own staff as well as to staff from other schools and agencies throughout the greater metropolitan area. Over the past two decades, BTI has provided training and consultation services to enable schools and human service agencies in the Tri-State area to utilize best practices and expand their expertise in providing quality services to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
We provide Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE), and we are an American Speech Hearing Association Approved provider as well as a resource for many of the New York State Mandated Trainings. Comprised of highly qualified professionals dedicated to providing training, support, and guidance to those working with and supporting people with developmental disabilities, we offer an array of educational enrichment programs. Our team of trainers and consultants come from a wide range of disciplines, which includes early childhood education, special education, social work, psychology, speech/language pathology and administration, allowing many professionals the opportunity to further their education.
As the Director of Training at Birch Family Services, I am thrilled to work with an exceptionally talented team of professionals who share their passion and expertise with Birch staff and others who support people with developmental disabilities.
Sincerely,
Margaret Chiara
