Skip to main content

Donate

Be a Foster Parent

Advocacy

Resources

Meet the SATRI Team

  • Jillian Gecewicz, LCSW
    Senior Director

    As senior 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.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.982.2135

  • Greyson Burns, BA
    Supervising Project Coordinator

    As supervising project coordinator for the Sidney Albert Training and Research Institute (SATRI), Greyson draws on his more than 25 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 advocacy. 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. Additionally, he provides CANS NY coaching and training to assessors throughout New York State. 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.).

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.982.2141

  • Brendan Bush, BA
    Trainer

    Joining as a trainer at SATRi at the beginning of 2026, Brendan Bush draws from his ten years of experience providing direct support to school-age youth and directing programs in the Education and Human Services fields. Starting as an afterschool tutor for SAT, ACT, and Regents students, and not long after becoming the Director of Exam Prep and Subject Tutoring in that program. Brendan moved on to become Assistant Director of Contracts for a non-profit engaged in an ACCES-VR contract, which evolved into Directing a Pre-Employment Transition Services program that provided soft skill and employment training to most significantly disabled youth from twelve different Upstate high schools, and shortly after became the ACCES-VR Program Director at the same non-profit. Brendan then joined the Northern Rivers Family of Services team as a Skillbuilder, transitioning into a trainer at SATRi a few months later. Combining technical proficiency, organizational efficiency, and trauma-informed care, Brendan seeks to provide human service providers and youth with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an ever-changing world. Brendan earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam.
    “Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.”- Mark Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.912.6821

  • Lauren Digena-Ford, LMSW
    Training Project 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 collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop customized professional development and continuing education programs, provides supervision to assigned SATRI trainers, manages documentation, manages contracts, and continuously updates SATRI's training cirriculum to ensure consistency with evidence-based practice. She has extensive experience with adult learning theory, change management, and trauma-informed care. 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
    Senior Trainer

    As a senior 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.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.982.2145

  • Sarah Kane, LMSW
    Training Project Manager

    As training project manager 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, evidence-based practice, and child and adolescent development. She has developed and delivered curricula for both internal and external stakeholders, is is the training manager for 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. Sarah is also a certified Teen Intervene trainer, a certified Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) trainer, and a certified Applies Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) trainer. Sarah joined the SATRI team in 2016 after a decade in residential 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.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.982.2143

  • Steven Oill, SME
    Training Project Manager

    Steve has been in the field of Human Services since 1987. He began in residential settings as a child care worker and moved into a supervisor position soon thereafter. After a few years, he moved into less stressful work in transportation and maintenance at a homeless family shelter. He moved back into direct work at the shelter in the position of Case Manager. During this time period his wife gave birth to a baby boy. After his wife stayed home to care for the baby for his first 4 months of life, Steve spent the next four years being a stay-at-home dad. Steve has said that this was a role that was as rewarding as it was difficult. His son’s journey through life augmented Steve’s own ongoing informal education, which led to his next career path in human services: Family Peer Advocacy. In this role, Steve spent his time providing emotional support, systems navigation and educational advocacy to parents of kids with mental health and developmental diagnoses. During this time Steve developed and honed his training skills and style. He did this by presenting regularly for organizations in human services, beginning with The Special Education Task Force in New York State. When the opportunity arose to work at SATRI, Steve jumped at the chance. He now enjoys using his varied work, personal and training experiences to help provide pertinent and interesting trainings to professionals in this field of human services.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.598.7054

  • Justin Prellwitz, BA
    Senior Trainer

    As senior trainer for the Sidney Albert Training & Research Institute (SATRI), Justin Prellwitz draws on years of experience in working with children and families within the residential care setting. Justin came to SATRI in September 2023, having joined Northern Rivers in 2005 as a residential counselor for member agency Parsons Child & Family Center. He has experience working with youth with mental and behavioral health challenges and crisis de-escalation from his time in the RTF Program of Parsons. In 2007, Justin became a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) trainer providing him many years of training experience. He is also provides coaching and training for the CANS-NY, as well as numerous additional trianings to both internal and external stakeholders. Justin earned his bachelor’s degree in theology from Canada Christian College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.390.4260

  • Deborah Ross, BS
    Trainer

    Deborah Ross joined Northern Rivers Family of Services in 2019 as an Early Head Start teacher, where she supported young children and their families during critical developmental years. She later served as an Education and Disability Specialist, ensuring inclusive, developmentally appropriate services for children with diverse needs. Deborah also brings prior experience as a Family Support Worker. In 2024, she joined the Sidney Albert Training & Research Institute (SATRI) as a trainer. In this role, Deborah collaborates with internal stakeholders to deliver professional development and training across the organization. She also provides training to multidisciplinary teams and supports workforce development in areas including trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation, and effective service delivery. Deborah brings experience in early childhood education and behavioral health, with a focus on practical, person-centered approaches that support youth and families in the least restrictive environments. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is committed to building staff capacity through engaging, applied learning experiences.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.727.7195

  • Kendra Turcotte, BS
    Training Supervisor and Record Manager

    As training supervisor 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, and American Red Cross Community First Aid and CPR. 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.

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    518.982.2139