Name
Nutan Rubinson
Title
Staff Development and Supervisor Training Specialist
How long have you been with JSDD?
April 2024
Was this the position you started in?
Yes, it is
What is your first memory of JSDD?
My first impactful memory was on my first day. Executive Director, Linda Press brought me on a tour of the WAE Center. The reason it was so memorable was because it brought meaning to why I accepted this role. It was meaningful to see the staff and members in action and to observe how the staff supported each member’s unique needs.
What has most surprised you about working with JSDD?
As I have visited the homes and the managers in the homes, I have seen the many different roles that managers and staff play on a regular basis. It ranges from administrative work to one-on-one interaction and engagement.
What are 3 words to describe JSDD?
Engaging – I enjoy hearing staff collaborate with each other at the office and staff and residents interact in the homes.
Committed – What I hear over and over from the managers is how the joy in their work always comes back to those they serve.
Innovation – There are systems and programs being put in place and adapted to increase effectiveness and quality of life.
What do you find most challenging?
Different managers and leaders have different needs to be met. For example, with a competency such as effective time management, each manager has a different area of growth. This results in much of my work being individualized. There is a challenge and reward in meeting those needs and customizing the approach.
What do you wish other people knew about JSDD?
At the core of what people need to know is the important work that JSDD does to serve their members and residents and the commitment to the members and residents to experience the lives they want to live. Another thing I wish people knew about was the creative and inclusive art and programs at the Heidi Gallery!
When your friends/ family find out that you work at JSDD, what do they say or ask?
They are surprised because most recently I came from private industry and before that I was in a university setting. They are interested in my move to a non-profit and learning how I found a meaningful way to use my skills and experience.
Tell me about someone who has influenced you while working with JSDD?
Randee Lesser, JSDD’s Director of Quality Assurance for Technology. Through our conversations, it’s clear that Randee cares about her work, the people she works with, and the overall mission of JSDD. She looks for creative ideas to reach the full potential of JSDD, seeks continuous learning for self-growth, and is always willing to support others.
What part of your job are you most excited about?
I have enjoyed the opportunities to work with the managers in group workshops. Over the last few months, I have introduced several areas including time management, communication, and executive presence. I noticed that managers have started to share what has worked for them, challenges they have come across, and guidance they have for each other. It’s also a joy to collaborate with managers individually and discuss specific challenges and goals. This individual coaching provides the opportunity for digging deeper into root causes and problem solving.
What is on your wish list for the next 5 years with JSDD?
From a learning and development perspective, I want to build standardized competencies for all staff, including managers and DSPs so that there are clear expectations, and we can really support that with learning and growth opportunities. The overall vision is that this would take JSDD to a culture of continuous learning and growth.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about working with JSDD?
I would like to share the same thing that brought me here. I believe JSDD has a worthwhile mission and makes an impact on individuals with IDD. I’ve appreciated the opportunity to use my experience in learning and development to more directly make a difference in people’s lives.
Before working at JSDD what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
What comes to mind is a volunteer job I had in college for an organization called Women Aware. Women Aware supports survivors of domestic violence through a variety of services. My job was to head to Starbucks every weekend where the employees would give me a big bag of day-old pastries which I would take over to the Women Aware office.
These pastries would be served during support groups and while the parents had their session, I would watch over their children. It was an impactful way to learn about domestic violence and led me to other volunteer opportunities to support others such as teaching introductory Microsoft Office classes at the Jewish Family Vocational Services, joining the Rutgers University Domestic Violence Response Team, and supporting the YWCA of Union County.
What is your favorite thing for Lunch?
Sushi. However, I’ve been a vegetarian for a few months, so I am experimenting with vegetarian rolls!
What is something about you that is not on your resume?
I have always loved to read and started a podcast called The Acknowledgments, where I interview authors about their books and their lives. It’s been such an experience to go beyond the pages of the book.