January’s Employee Spotlight of the Month: Physical Therapist, Jenny Snyder

Join us as we pay tribute to our incredible staff through “The Employee Spotlight of the Month!” Every month, we will spotlight a new employee so that we can share with the community the wonderful things our employees are doing every day!

Congratulations to Jenny Snyder, our Employee Spotlight for the month of January!

Jenny began working with individuals with developmental disabilities at the Fairfield Center aquatic program during high school.

«I began my career as a physical therapist (PT) in 1993 working in outpatient clinics treating mostly adults with orthopedic conditions,» Jenny said. «A fellow PT friend suggested I apply to work with children in early intervention and preschool at the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BCBDD). I have been employed with the BCBDD since 2004!»

For over 24 years Jenny has seen in action why the BCBDD is so vital to the developmental disability (DD) community and why she loves being a PT in the BCBDD Early Intervention (EI) program.

«BCBDD not only helps build relationships in the community, but also provides resources and experience for individuals with DD and their families so that they feel supported and empowered to do all of things they want to do,» Jenny said. «I love being a PT at the BCBDD for many reasons, one being that I get to share big milestones with families. When a little one walks for the first time, uses a new piece of equipment, or starts crawling and the family shares that with me, it makes my day! I enjoy it when little ones use our Go Baby Go cars and you can see them smile when they make themselves move all by themselves. I am thrilled when I find the perfect pair of shoes that makes it easier for a child to walk. I just get to work with so many amazing families! I also get to learn from a team of people at BCBDD with a great variety of expertise, which helps me be more creative and imaginative. I am always impressed by the knowledge of my co-workers.»

Sarah Phillips, a BCBDD Developmental Specialist II, said Jenny exemplifies EI.

«For one of our shared families, she went out of her way to help a family who doesn’t speak English get custom orthotics for their child with Down Syndrome,» Sarah said. «She is an outstanding coach to families as well as peers. In my time with the board, I have learned an incredible amount from Jenny and continue to learn every time we work together. Her willingness, enthusiasm, and patience in collaborating with her colleagues is unmatched. I often think to myself ‘I want to be Jenny when I grow up!’ With caregivers, she is calm, warm, and considerate. She creates such a nurturing environment within her family’s homes that allows them to practice strategies to help their child grow.»

Jenny said she is always learning about new and more effective ways to do her job including coming up with innovative ideas to help the families she serves.

«When I hear of new techniques or equipment that would make a difference for the families I serve, I want to learn about that and advocate for ways to make it part of the EI program,» Jenny said. «When I can find a new way to get my paperwork completed more efficiently, I want to learn about that too so that I have more time and energy to focus on the more important and fun part of my job! Being a physical therapist is important because how we use our bodies impacts everything else that we do – how we feel, how we learn, how we engage with other people. And working in early intervention helps us set the foundation for life!»

Is there someone from the BDBDD that has changed you and your family’s lives? Submissions for February’s Employee Spotlight of the Month are due by Friday, February 7!