Dear Staff,
Last month we had our first of three Celebration of Life Memorial Services to honor the memory of the men and women supported who passed over this incredibly difficult and challenging year. We wish all staff could have been there together at one time to pay their respects, but due to capacity restrictions, two additional services have been planned for the day of August 3rd at the 807 building on the Bethpage campus. The service times are from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, and from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Click here to RSVP, and see below in this newsletter for a video tribute to the men and women we lost.
In June, we also gathered to recognize the Employee of the Quarter Winners of this past quarter, along with the winners of the 4th quarter of 2020. See below for pictures of the winners. This month, we once again remind everyone to take advantage of the New Employee Referral Bonus. This bonus gives everyone the opportunity to earn up to $6,750 when you refer friends or family members to work at ACLD. Click here to learn more.
Also in this edition of the Limelight, you will find a new highlight in the "Direct Care Corner" section, fun stories from Day Habilitation, Residential and Children Services, and other Human Resources news that includes a way to apply for Financial Support for Child Care for Essential Workers. Enjoy!
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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Give it up for our Employee of the Quarter Winners! In June we had our first Employee of the Quarter Lunch since March of last year, celebrating the winners of this past quarter, along with the winners of the 4th quarter of 2020. Congratulations to all! See winners below.
1st Quarter 2021: Karen Britton from Children’s Services. Alexandra Bennis and Angelica Molinari from Residential Services. Katia Thomas and Rodney Cook from Day Habilitation. Artesha Tyler-Granville from Administrative Services.
4th Quarter 2020: Colleen Zammit and Marybeth Tomko from Children’s Services. Victoria Hammil, Kayla Boughey and Egenie Louis from Residential Services. Marquita Gregory from Day Habilitation. Brian Kellar from Administrative Services.
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The ACLD Family came together in June for A Celebration of Life Memorial Service to honor the memory of the men and women who passed over the course of this incredibly difficult and challenging year.
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Matthew Bianco
Phyllis Brodie
Debra Chiovit
Linda Clark
Jeffrey Corwin
Mark Cusack
James DeFalco
Robert Dorff
Dennis Dolling
Joanne Fitzharris
Andrew Gagliardo
Elisa Gallimore
Kimberly Geers
Thomas Gialloreto
Wendy Goffin
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Jacqueline Hayes
Jeanne Hewitt
Douglas Hostetter
John Kearney
Carl Korn
Marianne Krois
Ann Kushner
Christopher Lee
Lori Maas
Frances Mandell
Philip Montuori
Christina Novinski
Daniel Padgett
John Panessa
John Pilla
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Annabel Platt
Nudrat Rahat
Gilbert Rivera
Stella Rogofski
Joseph Roldan
James Schlosser
Michael Schneider
Nancy Schneider
Patrick Shea
Carol Silverstein
Conrad Smith
Dorothy Sotirhos
John Stavola
Steven Topper
Tracey Vandett
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Due to capacity restrictions at the service, two more services have been planned for August 3rd at the 807 building on the Bethpage campus open to all ACLD staff. Please click here to RSVP, and see below for the service times, along with a video tribute to all those we lost.
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Meet Barbara Miller, Day Habilitation Specialist in the Choices-Bethpage Day Hab Program.
Since joining the program in April of 2019, she has been known for being intuitive of the needs and interests of the adults she supports, for her commitment to getting to know each person’s likes and talents, and in turn coming up with new ideas for activities that each person enjoys.
With her artistic talents, she has initiated a project where the person supported assists her in painting/drawing something specific that they like. Barbara will then use each image that has been painted/drawn to engage people in conversation, and helps them pronounce the words of each image.
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Other art projects have included making wooden crafts to paint, and intricate designed images to paint that keep the adults supported focused. Barbara also has them assist in creating seasonable garlands for the paper-mâché tree in the lobby of the building, as well as paper flowers for the tree during the summer months.
In addition, Barbara is a strong advocate for the people she supports, and is a team player that is often chosen to train staff. Due to her incredible work, Barbara was chosen amongst her peers to participate in ACLD’s 1st Direct Care Professional Learning Academy earlier this year.
Jeanne Chelius, Barbara’s program Administrator says, “Barbara’s enthusiasm and creativity has been a wonderful asset in keeping people involved and interested in the day program activities. We at the Bethpage Day program feel very lucky to know and work with her!”
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Situational Awareness Training |
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This week, officers from Nassau County Police Department’s Division of Homeland Security spoke to ACLD staff from across the agency about situational awareness at our work places.
The seminar, lead by Officer Steven Krukowski, covered relevant topics such as: always wearing your ID badges on site, not allowing anyone into any ACLD building, the importance of calling the police anytime a suspicious person is on the grounds (while getting an accurate description of the individual), and knowing your escape routes from any given room in case of an emergency.
Krukowski also noted that you should always remove your ID badge from your person upon leaving your building/site. This not only avoids identifying yourself as an ACLD employee, but prevents you from becoming a target in case someone wants to take your ID badge in order to obtain entry to an ACLD building.
The officers stressed that you should never confront someone who is unknown/suspicious, and that you should never feel wrong about calling 911. If someone is doing something suspicious around your building/site, then they are almost certainly doing it around the neighborhood as well, and the more information that the police have to go on, the better.
Please help yourself, your co-workers and the people we support all stay safe by being aware of your surroundings, in the building, and outside.
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ACLD Management Learning Academy |
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ACLD is excited to announce that the agency launched its’ first Management Learning Academy last month.
Eight management level staff new to the agency, along with long-time managers, attended this two-day professional development training focused on foundational communication skills needed for individual, team and organizational success.
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Some of the topics covered in the training included: self-awareness of your management style, teambuilding, coaching and developing staff, time management strategies, and an employee relations overview, all aiding in the supervision of team members and collaboration across the organization.
The Academy also had a Human Resources “Boot Camp” Q&A where Human Resources and Payroll staff introduced themselves and answered any questions the managers had. With this Academy, ACLD is continuing to build a stronger future for our emerging leaders in the agency.
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To learn more about ACLD’s Management Learning Academy, please contact Sharon Geiselmann at geiselmanns@acld.org or call 822-0028 ext. 240.
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Congratulations to Jovanie Durosier for her promotion from Per Diem Direct Support Professional to Registered Nurse at the Yorktown community residence. She recently graduated with her R.N. from Medgar Evers College.
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Congratulations to Tara Pace, long time ACLD employee and beloved Behavior Intervention Specialist on her marriage to her wife on June 23rd.
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JC Kiss, the son of John Kiss, Finance Manager for ACLD and Charles Evans Center, graduated from Hicksville High School and will be attending Stony Brook University this Fall on a baseball scholarship.
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Adam Heidenfelder, the son of Laura Heidenfelder of the ACLD Payroll Department, has been signed to a Minor League Baseball contract for the Chicago Cubs. Adam had pitched for the State University of Old Westbury, and more recently for the Rockland Boulders and the Gary Southshore Railcats. Click here and here to read articles about his signing.
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Staff and the adults supported prepared for the event by making craft projects such as giant and small Tikis, painted sea shells, turtles, rainbows, butterflies and pineapples, along with planning the entire menu!
The delicious food consisted of their own version of the kalua pig, coconut pineapple fried rice (courtesy of Ms. Margaret Johansen), teriyaki chicken, macaroni salad and shaved ice and ice cream for dessert.
Making the day even more special was everyone arriving with their best luau attire to party in! A blast was had by all, and everyone said it was the best party ever!
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Earlier this month, the staff in the Chichester community residence went above and beyond planning and attending a "Glamping" trip at Wildwood State Park.
The Direct Support Staff of Mark Shelton, Antwanette Qualls and House Manager Amy Schmeling attended the trip with the residents, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful relaxing weekend. See below for pictures of some of the activities they did on the trip.
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Here's some 🐾 paw-some news! Our Sejon IRA house recently welcomed into their home, MoMo Sylvester, the only pet cat 🐱 in the agency!
The residents absolutely love their new pet, and the first thing everyone does when they come home is call for her so they can play with her and shower her in kisses!
High praise goes to the Management Team at Sejon, led by House Manager Kayla Boughey, for making this happen, and for creating “enviable life” moments for everyone in the house each day.
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New Spiegel Center Classrooms |
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The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center has finished its' expansion that includes four additional classrooms to the school, and a connection to the gym from the main school building to facilitate ease of transition to and from gym class.
To name the new four classrooms, the staff and children voted on their four favorite sea animal names (See the ranked choice voting ballot each person used below). The winning names of this election were The Jellyfish Room, The Sea Turtle Room, The Swordfish Room and the Narwhal Room! The school's art therapist, Miss Anne, has also graciously agreed to paint the room signs for each of these sea animals.
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Nominate Your Co-Workers! |
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It’s time to nominate your amazing co-workers for the Employee of the Quarter Award and the Team Service Award!
We know there are many stories out there of our dedicated staff that deserve recognition. Please share your story with us in the form of a nomination below.
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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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Child Care for Essential Workers |
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New York State's Office of Children and Family Services is administering $25 million in funds to provide Child Care Support for Children of Essential Workers.
The Essential Worker Scholarship is only available to residents of New York State and will be awarded weekly through payments made directly to child care providers on the parents’ behalf. Based upon New York State’s definition of an “Essential Worker” (click here for definition) many of ACLD employees may be eligible for the child care scholarship.
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Empower Budgeting Webinars |
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ACLD's retirement plan company Empower is holding webinars on Budgeting next week on July 21st for English speakers, and July 22nd for Spanish speakers. Click below for the links to join.
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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 - July 2021 |
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20 Years
Mary Anne Grady Special Educator, Kramer Learning Center
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Welcome ACLD New Hires - June 2021 |
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Alexis Augustin Direct Support Professional, Straightpath
Amaan Rana Direct Support Professional, Dix Hills
Baniyha Berry Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Blandine Auguste Direct Support Professional, Magnolia Manor
Claudine Jeanty Direct Support Professional, Plainview
Elijah Corwin Direct Support Professional, Oceanside
Eve-Anie Vincent Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Isha Henley-Mashia Direct Support Professional, East Islip
Jared Beyer Registered Nurse, Bethpage 857
Jerry Astree Direct Support Professional, Ronkonkoma
Karl Lenz Dorcely Day Habilitation Specialist, Bethpage 837
Kiauna Atiles Direct Support Professional, Rainbow 918
Marie McDonard Direct Support Professional, East Islip
Marie Pierre Residential Manager, Oyster Bay
Marissa Early-Hubelbank Direct Support Professional, St James
Melissa Juillet Direct Support Professional, Phelps
Natasha Jarvis Residential Manager, Nichols Road
Osemhen Omelime Direct Support Professional, East Meadow
Philip Ricca Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Samantha Adamchek Social Worker, Kramer Learning Center
Samantha Dodard Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
ShellyAnn Simmonds James Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Shira Wang Speech Language Pathologist, Kramer Learning Center
Sonia Louissaint Direct Support Professional, Magnolia Manor
Tapharye Charles Direct Support Professional, Nesconset
Wenchard Pierre Louis Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
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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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