Dear Staff,
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and we were very excited to honor five adults supported in our Residential Services for their long-time employment at yesterday's Employment Recognition Breakfast. Two of the men and women are also our fellow employees here at ACLD. Learn more about their careers below in this newsletter.
Last month our President/CEO Robert Ciatto announced on the Quarterly Staff Town Halls that The ACLD Board of Directors approved a Staff Holiday Party! Please save the date for December 15th. More information on how to RSVP will be emailed out agency wide in the coming weeks.
The Board of Directors is also excited to announce that we are accepting nominations for the Exemplary Service Award and Gail White-Rison Scholarship. Click here ➡️ Exemplary Service and here ➡️ Gail White Rison to learn more about these awards and to nominate your coworkers today. The deadline for submissions is October 24, 2022.
Last Thursday we celebrated the 65th anniversary of the agency at The Enviable Life Ball, which honored the ACLD Staff with the Leadership Award for their dedication, commitment, and unwavering service throughout their careers. See below for a photo of the 20 employees who represented all of the programs and departments receiving the award.
In this edition of The Limelight, you will also find out who the winners of the recent Employee of the Quarter, see the new murals at our preschools, view photos from School Spirit Day and other highlights from across the agency!
Sincerely,
Rob, Gerard, Anne Marie and Kim
Robert Ciatto, President / CEO
Gerard DiMuro, Vice President of Administration
Anne Marie Sime, Vice President of Adult Services
Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer
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Disability Employment Awareness Month |
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In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, yesterday we recognized five amazing men and women supported at ACLD for longevity achievements in the workplace at our Employment Recognition Breakfast (ERB).
This is the first ERB since the pandemic, and these adults were slated to be honored at last year's breakfast, but it was postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19 precautions.
Give it up for the following:
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Alan Alexander for 26 years working as a file clerk for the ACLD Finance and Human Resources Department.
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George Hamlin for 21 years at Target in Levittown as a baler and stock associate.
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Karen Hofmann for 26 years at the Home Depot in Jericho as a Gardening Department associate.
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Fred Spiegel for 31 years working at Aramark LIU Post as a dining room attendant.
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Liz Appel for over 26 years at the ACLD Kramer Learning Center in the Maintenance Department.
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Below is a photo we took of everyone last year after the breakfast was postponed. Stay tuned on our social media pages next week for photos and highlights from this event |
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(left to right) Alan Alexander, Karen Hofmann, Fred Spiegel, Assistant Director of Vocational Services Jeanie Shelton, Vice President of Adult Services Anne Marie Sime, George Hamlin, Elizabeth Appel, Director of Day and Community Support Services Donna Celardo and President/CEO Robert Ciatto. |
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Employee of the Quarter Winners |
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Congratulations to our recent Employee of the Quarter winners! Last month we celebrated this incredible cross section of staff at our Employee of the Quarter Lunch, and thanked them for all they do for the children and adults we support.
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RESIDENTIAL: Alexis Augustin, Direct Support Professional at Straight Path IRA; Joshua Shields, Residential Manager at Malts IRA; Thea Gauss, Direct Support Professional in Community Habilitation and Juliana Marquez, Direct Support Professional at Oakdale IRA.
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DAY HABILITATION: Elizabeth Bardouille, Day Habilitation Specialist at Bethpage Choices Day Program.
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CHILDREN'S SERVICES: Jackie Hipp, Special Educator at Kramer Learning Center; Gerri Havran, Office Assistant at Kramer Learning Center & Spiegel Children’s Center and Kim Sudama, Occupational and Physical Therapist at Kramer Learning Center & Spiegel Children’s Center.
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ADMINISTRATION: Melissa Elfers, Finance Department.
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ACLD Staff honored at Enviable Life Ball |
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ACLD celebrated its 65th anniversary last week at the Enviable Life Ball and we honored the dedication, commitment and unwavering service of the ACLD staff, who were recognized as this year’s Leadership Award recipients.
20 staff members from all different departments were invited to attend this fundraiser, and together accepted the Leadership Award on behalf of the entire ACLD workforce. Below is the moment that the staff received the award and posed with President/CEO Robert Ciatto.
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The non-profit organization, Splashes of Hope, painted stunning new murals and door signs last month for our Kramer Learning Center and The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center!
Assistant Principal of Children’s Services Linda Eisen thanked the Splash team saying:
“Splashes of Hope has generously provided Spiegel Children’s Center with many spectacular murals that both enliven the walls of our building and provide language stimulation opportunities for our children.
Families touring the building delight in the artwork and comment on the beauty they lend to our school building. Our newest Alphabet Mural encourages an interactive experience for the children as they engage in locating the various sea creatures and animals depicted.
The space-themed murals support our commitment to PBIS illustrating, our mascot Buddy, and his friends. We applaud the artists who volunteer to create art that afford our children, staff and families a joyful school environment.”
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Last month The Organizational Care Committee organized an Employee Engagement Day called School Spirit Day, and staff from around the agency dressed in their school t-shirts and sweatshirts.
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On Friday September 30th, ACLD Board of Director Ellen Spiegel visited our preschool named after her and her husband, The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children's Center.
Ellen and Alan have been a part of ACLD for decades, serving on both the Board of Directors and Foundation Board. Their son Fred lives in one of our community residences and is supported through our Vocational Services.
The visit was during the school's regularly scheduled staff meeting, and Ellen thanked everyone for the incredible work they perform everyday, and spoke about the life of her son Fred, beginning with his birth and early intervention. She recounted how when he was very young, a doctor told them that they shouldn’t ever expect much from Fred.
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Although it was a long journey, Ellen went on to detail how Fred eventually proved that doctor wrong, and has in fact lived an enviable life with his friends at his home, and has been employed at his job at Aramark LIU Post for over 30 years!
Towards the end, she expressed again how thankful she is of our Children's Services program, and how she believes that if Fred had the quality education that is available now, he would have made even more progress than he has; highlighting the hope and possibilities for every child who attends our preschools today!
After her speech, Ellen was invited to be the one to pull the "Shout Out" winner of the month, a special moment that the school does at every monthly staff meeting.
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Congratulations to Laura Heidenfelder, Finance Department's Payroll Assistant on her retirement last month after 9 years with the agency. Laura's husband had already retired last year from his career and the two have now moved down to Florida! Special thanks goes to The Finance Department and Executive Assistant Shari Brown on throwing her a beautiful send off party.
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Employee Referral Program |
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Don't forget about the EMPLOYEE REFERRAL PROGRAM! You can now earn up to $6,750 when you refer people to work at ACLD. See the flyer below for details.
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We are now working with Emblem Health and WellSpark Health to provide our covered employees and their spouses with a FREE chronic disease management program called Help 364.
To learn more about this program, please click on the button below for a flyer, or check out a quick video HERE!
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Help the people we support find employment |
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Do you know of a job opening in your area that would be a good fit for the men and women we support who are seeking employment in the community?
If so, please send an email to the Vocational Services department at Millerl@acld.org.
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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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Anniversary Milestones - October 2022 |
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Jacqueline Dowden Day Habilitation Specialist, Levittown Strive & Day Hab
Donna Ganiaris Speech Language Pathologist, Spiegel Center
Latosha Howard Day Habilitation Specialist, Bethpage 857
Alan Mitzner Sorter, RewearABLE
Germitte Saintrose Day Habilitation Specialist, Bethpage 837
Erica Saravia Behavior Support Specialist, Kramer Learning Center
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Heather Lyon Special Educator, Spiegel Center
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Janet Davis Direct Support Professional, West Hempstead
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Joan Brown Administrative Assistant, Spiegel Center
Douglas Duany Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
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Welcome ACLD New Hires - September 2022 |
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Janice A Alcindor Direct Support Professional, Sejon
Emily Arevalo Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Maria R Chica Argueta Teacher Aide, Spiegel Center
William D Cyril Direct Support Professional, Dix Hills
Jean R Duvivier Direct Support Professional, Calvert Avenue
Lenese Geffrard Direct Support Professional, Sejon
Annabelle A Joinville Direct Support Professional, Sejon
Kivens Laguerre Direct Support Professional, Nesconset
Rony Maurice Direct Support Professional, Straightpath
Jessica L Meyer Behavior Support Specialist, Kramer Learning Center
Heidy M Moreno Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Veronica Anne M O'Kelly Speech Language Pathologist, Kramer Learning Center
Otaverho Ogbakpah Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Carmela Oppedisano Residential Administrator, Bethpage 857
Giordina Samedy Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Ryan E Schaefer Teacher Aide, Spiegel Center
Karen J Snyder Driver Day Services, Bethpage 837
Frederic Theogene Direct Support Professional, Russell Gardens
Curtis P Umlauft Payroll Assistant, Bethpage 807
Daysha R Watson Direct Support Professional, Eastover Drive
Yahao Zhong Respite Counselor, Bethpage 807
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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.
Now it is easier than ever before to share your bright ideeas. Just click here and your Bright Ideas will be sent directly to the Organizational Care Committee. A representative from the committee will respond to you promptly, and if your idea is implemented, you will earn a $25.00 gift card!
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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)
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Employee Engagement day photos of you and your team.
- Or anything else you can think of!
DON'T be shy about submitting stories - we need new ones every month!
DON'T worry about writing it perfectly. Just give as much information as you have.
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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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