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Meet the SATRI Team

  • Jillian Gecewicz, LCSW
    Director

    As director of the Sidney Albert Training and Research Institute (SATRI), Jillian Gecewicz oversees the provision of tens of thousands of units of training every year for both Northern Rivers' staff and external training clients. She works with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to manage statewide training  and with the Research Foundation for State University of New York to manage statewide training for professional staff. Jillian has developed and implemented curricula on Dignity for All Students (DASA) standards, trauma, assessment, engagement, person-centered care, diversity, and children’s mental health for internal and external audiences. She is also a certified coach in the Child and Adolescent Strengths and Needs Assessment (CANS-NY), a certified trainer in ASIST suicide intervention, peer mediation, Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma, Teen Intervene, and Supervision for Success. Jillian provides training on a wide variety of topics for Northern Rivers staff, including sophisticated instruction that allows students to expand their clinical scope and expertise. Jillian spent 15 years in the Residential area, working for Northern Rivers' member organization Parsons Child & Family Center as a clinician, clinical supervisor, coordinator of mental health programs, director of community residences, and senior director of residential services. Throughout her career in Residential services, she worked with SATRI to provide clinical and supervisory trainings before joining the department full-time in 2015. Jillian earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work from the University at Albany.

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    518.982.2135

  • Greyson Burns, BA
    Supervising Trainer and Project Manager

    As supervising trainer and project manager trainer and statewide training coordinator, for the Sidney Albert Training and Research Institute (SATRI), Greyson draws on his more than 18 years’ experience in the human services field to provide training to internal and external audiences on topics including professional supervision, working with children with special needs and behavioral challenges, and LGBTQ issues. He provides supervisory and skills-based training to professionals statewide who work in New York State Office of Children and Family Services foster care programs. He also manages a statewide training contract for specialized training for NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Greyson joined the organization as a B2H waiver service provider in 2011 for Northern Rivers member agency Parsons Child & Family Center, was promoted to supervisor, and joined SATRI in 2016. Previously he worked for several agencies in New York and Massachusetts in a number of licensed mental health programs as a supervisor, researcher, manager, and counselor. Greyson earned his bachelor's degree from Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, N.H.).

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    518.982.2141

  • Lauren Ford, LMSW
    Training Manager

    Lauren joined the Northern Rivers Family of Services team in the fall of 2018 as a Training Manager for the Sidney Albert Training and Research Institute (SATRI). In this role, Lauren reviews SATRI contracts for the provision of training and services, provides supervision to assigned SATRI trainers, manages documentation, coordinates regional participation in statewide needs assessments, develops curriculum, and collaborates with stakeholders on multiples levels. Lauren received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare and Master’s in Social Work at the University at Albany. She is a licensed Master Social Worker. After receiving her degrees, Lauren made the Capital Region her permanent home and has built a career focused on public policy, training, and advocacy for marginalized populations. She has developed a wide skill-set through experiences working with local community centers, large training organizations, and state associations.

    Lauren.Ford@northernrivers.org
    518.982.2138

  • Timothy Gallop, BA
    Trainer

    As a trainer for the Sidney Albert Training & Research Institute (SATRI), Timothy Gallop draws on years of experience in working with children and families at risk. His areas of expertise include crisis de-escalation, family engagement, and effective service provision. Tim came to SATRI in September 2018, having joined Northern Rivers in 2010 as a senior residential counselor for member agency Parsons Child & Family Center, working with youth in the foster care system. In 2013, Tim moved to the Bridges to Health (B2H) program as a waiver service provider and worked individually with at-risk youth, supporting them at maintaining in the lowest level of care possible.Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

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    518.982.2145

  • Sarah Kane, MSW
    StatewideTraining Coordinator

    As statewide training coordinator and trainer for the Sidney Albert Training & Research Institute (SATRI), Sarah Kane draws on her 11 years’ experience in Northern Rivers’ residential programs to provide training and guidance to organization employees, as well as external training clients. Her areas of expertise include Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), conflict resolution, negotiating skills, and child and adolescent development. She has developed and delivered curricula and trained professionals in combatting and preventing compassion fatigue for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and Northern Rivers, is a certified coach in the Child and Adolescent Strengths and Needs Assessment (CANS-NY), provides continuing education trainings for social workers and mental health counselors, and provides both supervisory and skills-based training for foster care workers throughout New York State. Kane is also a certified Teen Intervene trainer, and a certified Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) trainer. Sarah joined the SATRI team in 2016 after a decade in rtsidential programs at Northern Rivers' member agency Parsons Child & Family Center. She came to the organization as a volunteer in 2006 working with youth placed in foster care and was soon hired as a residential counselor. She quickly rose through the ranks to become a supervisor, and then moved to dual roles as a crisis prevention specialist and clinical treatment coordinator in a New York State Office of Mental Health–licensed residence. Sarah earned both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and her Master of Social Work from the University at Albany.

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    518.982.2143

  • Kendra Turcotte, BS
    Trainer and Record Manager

    As trainer and record manager for the Sidney Albert Training & Research Institute (SATRI), Kendra Turcotte is responsible for overseeing and maintaining training records for Northern Rivers’ 1,400 employees, interns, students, and volunteers; supervising assigned trainers; coordinating the organization’s online trainings; developing the yearly training schedule; maintaining continuing education attendance and reports for New York State Education Department; and facilitating both internal and external trainings. She has developed curricula on safety for community workers, effective communication and writing skills, nutrition, and diversity. Kendra is also a certified trainer in Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Handle with Care, American Red Cross Community First Aid and CPR, and safeTALK suicide awareness. Kendra has spent more than 25 years with Northern Rivers, and as a member of the SATRI team. She is responsible for maintaining the organization’s learning management system; monitoring staff training compliance per state, local, and federal requirements; providing training both internally and externally; and handling logistics for large-format internal and external trainings. Kendra earned her BS in business, management, and economics from SUNY Empire State College.

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    518.982.2139

  • Leigh Van Swall, M.Ed.
    Senior Trainer

    As a senior trainer at the Sidney Albert Training & Research Institute (SATRI), Leigh Van Swall draws on her coaching and facilitation background working with both children and adults to provide training to internal and external audiences. She is a certified trainer in American Red Cross Community First Aid and CPR and a certified Myers-Briggs Indicator Facilitator. Leigh joined Northern Rivers member agency SATRI in October, 2018 as a Senior Trainer. She previously worked in foster care services with Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth and worked with a number of public and independent schools in a variety of teaching and facilitation capacities. Leigh Van Swall graduated from the College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA) with a BA in East Asian Studies and is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is certified as a Holistic Health Counselor by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, a Reiki Master and a certified career coach. Leigh received a Masters of Education from the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA) in Social Foundations (Educational Psychology).

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    518.982.2144