Dear Staff,
The ACLD Board of Trustees along with the Executive Team are extremely happy to inform you that we will be reinstating the agency 401K match retroactive to January 2021. We know this is an important benefit for you and your family and you will see these funds deposited into your retirement account in the coming weeks. We were able to reinstate the 401K match due to the dedication and hard work of all our valued employees and we will continue to look for opportunities to reinvest in our staff as funding becomes available.
We are confident that by working together, we will be able to overcome these challenges and we appreciate your hard work and perseverance during these challenging times. The people that we support count on each and every one of you and your commitment to the agency’s mission.
In this edition of the Limelight, you will find new Temporary Employee Procedures for COVD-19 Period, along with other stories from across the agency including employee milestones and a new Direct Care Corner highlight.
Sincerely,
Rob, Gerard, Anne Marie and Kim
Robert Ciatto, Executive Director
Gerard DiMuro, Assistant Executive Director
Anne Marie Sime, Assistant Executive Director
Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer
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Meet Kelly Torchon, Assistant Manager for the Oakdale IRA. Kelly is known for her “upbeat spirit” and for being an exceptional advocate for the people she supports.
Kelly enjoys getting people supported up and dancing around the house and has a way of finding new activities for them to do in the community. She knows each person’s interests and desires and is committed to helping each person reach their goals.
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As an expert communicator, Kelly makes a point to remain in constant contact with family members who are concerned about their child. Her compassion and dedication to the people she supports is evident by all who have the pleasure of working with her.
Kelly's Manager, Keri Hayes says, “Kelly makes a huge difference each and every day that she is here and honestly this house would be lost without the team she has helped build. She is a great asset to the Oakdale IRA. All of us at the Oakdale appreciate her so much. Kelly, thank you for everything that you do!”
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Congratulations to Mary Beth Tomko and Michelle Kalish, Special Educators at Kramer Learning Center, as they have celebrated their retirement.
Before Mary Beth began working at Kramer, she collaborated with ACLD via Noreen Clemens while working at Bay Shore YMCA. Mary Beth then joined Kramer's staff in August of 2000.
Michelle has been teaching for over 35 years and has worked at both Kramer Learning Center and The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center. Michelle is also Dual certified in Elementary Education (K to 12).
Both of these amazing women have been excellent Special Educators for their students over the years and huge assets to ACLD. Please join us in wishing them the very best in this next stage of life.
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Congratulations to Foday Sillah on his promotion from Direct Support Professional to Registered Nurse for Residential Services. Foday has been with ACLD since March of 2012 as a DSP in the Thomaston house. He recently completed his RN degree from Care Hope College.
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Congratulations to Taylor Pelissier on her promotion from per diem DSP to Registered Nurse for Residential Services. She recently completed her RN degree from Suffolk County Community College.
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Congratulations to Linda Eisen and Angela Dente for successfully completing the re-certification as TEACCH Practitioners for the third time. Linda and Angela are currently the only Certified TEACCH Practitioners on Long Island.
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Congratulations to Fred Cervelli, Facilities Management Coordinator for the Bethpage campus for being the 807 building's Shout Out Board Winner. This was due in part to his excellent work creating two new offices in the building, one for the Development and Community Relations Department, and the other for the Human Resources Department.
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Welcome Shira Wang, newly hired Speech Therapist at Kramer Learning Center. Shira obtained her bachelor’s degree from Queens College in Communication Sciences and Disorders and graduated from Molloy College with her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. She also has her certificate for Teaching Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). Shira received the top Academic Honor Award and was given the privilege of speaking on behalf of her graduate school class. Shira is off to a great start for the summer session, and will soon be getting ready to take on a new caseload of preschoolers during the 2021-2022 school year.
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Children's Services Graduations |
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Congratulations to the young minds who graduated this week at Kramer Learning Center and The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children's Center!
The incredible staff at both schools did an amazing job at adapting to the challenges of this year, and capped off the year with beautiful ceremonies for the students and families to enjoy. Great job everyone! Stay tuned on the ACLD social media accounts next week for a video with more photos from the ceremonies.
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Bridges Book Reading Club |
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Our Bridges Levittown day habilitation site now has their own Book Reading Club!
Prior to the pandemic, a group of people supported from Bridges took part at the Nassau Literacy Council in Wantagh, meeting at the Wantagh library to read and discuss books.
Since the Council has not opened its doors again yet, Bridges staff member Susan Kleppan contacted the Council and was able to borrow books in order to create the site's own book club. The group now meets every afternoon where they read together, have a discussion and work on their comprehension skills. Right now, the group is almost done reading Charlotte's Web by E. B White.
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The children at Kramer Learning Center have been busy this summer with activities in their nature-filled Sensory Garden that included witnessing the metamorphosis of a butterfly, playing in a mud kitchen making mud pies, playing musical instruments and other multi-sensory opportunities.
The Children’s Services Staff underwent training regarding the importance of being in nature, along with a parent workshop about the benefits of providing outdoor experiences for our children.
Specifically, research has shown that 20 minutes outdoors in a green space restores mental energy, strengthens the brains ability to focus, and decreases blood pressure, heart rate, noradrenaline and cortisol levels, in turn improving the effectiveness of the immune system. In addition, adults and children with ADHD symptoms see a decrease in their distractibility and impulsivity after five minutes of being in nature.
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Message from the Center for Learning: We were contacted by ACLD staff with reports that the Tuberculosis course assigned to employees upon hire was not working as designed. We are happy to report that those design flaws have been fixed. The course is running properly at this time.
IMPORTANT:
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If previously you had been unable to complete this Tuberculosis course, please log into Litmos and do so now.
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This does not apply to employees that have already successfully completed this course. There is nothing for you to do.
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Employee Referral Program |
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Don't forget about the NEW EMPLOYEE REFERRAL PROGRAM! You can now earn up to $6,750 when you refer 5 friends or family members to work at ACLD. See the flyer below for details.
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COVID-19 Employee Procedures |
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Message from Human Resources Department on August 6, 2021: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccines to wear masks in an indoor public settings in all areas with substantial and high transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
Unfortunately, as of today both Nassau and Suffolk counties fall in the high transmission area. Both counties have seen a 50% increase or more in the past seven days for COVID-19 cases. The CDC also recommends that everyone get tested following exposure to someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. In order to keep employees, visitors and people supported safe, ACLD is reinstituting mask wearing for all of our work locations effective Monday, August 9, 2021 regardless of vaccination status.
Please see attached Temporary COVID-19 guidelines from ACLD which includes the new information about mask wearing in an ACLD work location. As a reminder if are vaccinated and have not sent us proof of vaccination, please send documentation to the Human Resources Department by fax at 516-495-7070 or email to benefits@acld.org.
If you have any questions about COVID-19 procedures, please contact us by phone at (516) 822-0028 at extensions 216/119/135.
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Discounts for ACLD Employees |
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Did you know that by being an employee of ACLD, you can take advantage of exclusive discounts at different businesses such as Splish Splash, Verizon, P.C. Richard, Six Flags and a lot more?
You can also register as an ACLD employee on PlumBenefits.com to get even more discounts on vacations, entertainment, online shopping and other services. Use company code ac0825520 to register.
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ACLD Anniversary Milestones - August 2021
5 Years
Gail Prendergast-McRae Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Tamira Johnson Respite Counselor Bethpage 807
Shayd Armstrong Direct Support Professional Phelps
20 Years
Helen Mucci Team Coordinator, Bridges Day Habilitation - Westbury
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Welcome ACLD New Hires - July 2021 |
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Barbara Nolan Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Christina Ramirez Registered Nurse Spiegel Children's Center
Colette Cobblah Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Cynthia Carbonari Day Habilitation Specialist Hauppauge
Emose Fede Direct Support Professional Magnolia Manor
Fidelis Mgbeahuru Residential Administrator Bethpage 857
Frantzcia Sylvestre Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Harmanie Termitus Direct Support Professional Long Hill Road
Jenna Provenzano Job Coach Bethpage 857
Jose Portillo Romero Building Services Coordinator Bethpage 837
Joycelyn Lee Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Kayeshaw Rowe-Clarke Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Laisha Lapierre Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Marie Chery Direct Support Professional Roslyn Heights
Marvin Maxwell Maintenance Worker Bethpage 857
Melissa Santana Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Mellody Simmonds Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Nyasia Davis Direct Support Professional Bohemia
Ruby Moore Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Sandra Stimphile-Gilot Residential Administrator Bethpage 857
Sherry Scammacca Registered Nurse Bethpage 857
Taneika Malcolm Direct Support Professional Autumn
Tori Sadlowski Job Coach Bethpage 857
Yaquasia Cowans Direct Support Professional Straightpath
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Don't forget - RewearAble program now has two bins located on the Bethpage campus in front of the 807 building - so you can drop off your clothing donation any time, day or night.
RewearAble, now in its 5th year of operation, has continued to accept contactless donations of clothing, shoes and other accessories throughout the pandemic.
Every donation received helps provide jobs for adults of different abilities in the RewearAble program, increases their independence and gives them opportunities to foster supportive relationships in the community.
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Don't forget to give a SHOUT OUT to recognize someone at your location for something special they did for you, your department or a person we support. |
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The Organizational Care Committee is always looking for new ideas and suggestions from all of YOU to continue to make ACLD one of the best places to work, and for children and adults to receive supports and services.
Please share your ideas and suggestions anytime at brightideabox@acld.org or by using the "Bright Idea Box" at one of the following ACLD locations.
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807 Building
837 Building
857 Building
Program Without Walls
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Kramer Learning Center
Spiegel Children's Center
Hauppauge Day Program
Levittown Day Program
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Glen Cove Day Program
Westbury Day Program
Farmingdale Day Program
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Submit YOUR stories for the "Limelight" |
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Each month we include stories in this newsletter about YOU and all of the amazing staff here at ACLD!
BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP to find out about these stories. Please send us anything to include such as:
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A story about how you or someone else went above and beyond to help the people we support, organized any fun or educational activity, or did anything to further our mission in any way
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Information on any staff member or team who you would like to see spotlighted for their exceptional work.
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Information or news useful for staff across the agency. Anything important or fun.
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Proud moments for you or your family (Personal or professional milestones, awards, weddings, educational degrees or works in the community).
- Or anything else you can think of!
Don't be shy about submitting stories - we need new ones every month!
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"the limelight" is an initiative of the
Communications Committee
and is produced by the
Development and Community Relations Department.
Jonathan Dolan, Editor. For questions, comments or suggestions, please email dolanj2@acld.org
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Thank you to all who have submitted information
and photos. Keep them coming!
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
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