Gina Bruno

Gina Bruno is currently employed in the Eden II Programs as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) serving adults with autism spectrum disorder in a Day Habilitation setting.  In her role as QIDP, Gina oversees three classrooms/groups and provides clinical support to 23 adults with autism.  She develops their goals and programs, provides training and supervision to the group leaders and direct support professionals, and assists with the daily operation of the program.

Gina has worked for Eden for over 20 years in various capacities.  She started her career in 1999, working with individuals with autism in their homes as a Residential Habilitation Worker.  Gina attended the College of Staten Island where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.  Over the years she has worked in various programs offered by Eden II, including the preschool, school, and various family support programs in addition to her current role in the adult day habilitation program.  She is also a trained investigator for the agency and serves as a member of the Rights Protection Committee.

Eden II’s Director of Adult Services, Christine Jascewsky, shares “Gina is a self-starter and a true leader. Gina is patient, kind, thoughtful and generous. She comes to work each day with new energy and positivity. Her care for the individuals in the program is obvious. As a Direct Support Professional, she always offered creative ways to teach new skills to the participants in the program. In her current role as a Supervisor, she continues to assist the group leaders to do the same. She also supports her team in planning meaningful community experiences for the individuals we serve. Gina has many talents that she brings to the program. She is an excellent cook and she is very crafty. She has shared these skills with program participants by implementing cooking classes and assisting with special meal-prep for holiday feasts. Gina has also assisted with creating various craft projects and then teaching the students how to make them for our annual Holiday Craft Fair. Gina goes out of her way for the family members of our participants. She is a great support in a crisis and she makes sure families get the help they need.”

Gina lives with her husband and young daughter on the South Shore of Staten Island.

Adrian Galan

Adrian Galan is a staff trainer at the Eden II Programs. He has specialized in the education and treatment of people with autism spectrum disorders since 1999, when he began his career at Eden II as a teaching assistant.  He is a registered behavior technician with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree Program at Empire State College.

In his role as a staff trainer, Adrian is responsible for assisting teachers and staff to meet the educational and behavioral needs of children with autism. He provides training to new school program employees in different teaching strategies and behavior reduction techniques based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He is currently in the process of becoming a NYS Certified instructor of Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP).

In addition to his role as a staff trainer, Adrian also provides in home services through Community Habilitation and Self Direction programs. In these settings he provides direct care, instruction, and support to children ages 7-18 years. He has also assisted with parent training in these settings. He has helped guide parents through a variety of home based struggles utilizing his expertise in the area of ABA.

Director of Educational Services, Jamie Arnold, shares “Adrian is a valuable member of the Eden II School Program. For twenty years, he has been a reliable and positive presence in the lives of countless students and staff. He is very knowledgeable and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He is a great resource for staff to turn to when they need anything. He always gets the job done!”

Adrian and his wife Tara live in the Woodrow area of Staten Island, and are expecting their first born any day now!