Dear Staff,
Last month’s earthquake in Haiti has left many people injured, homeless and deceased. ACLD has many people on staff who have direct ties to the island nation, with many originally from Haiti. ACLD has responded by rolling out the Haitian Earthquake Relief Campaign. After careful research of charitable organizations that have a direct impact on the relief efforts in Haiti, we have identified Hope for Haiti as the organization that we will direct donations to. This campaign ends this Friday 9/10. This campaign is completely voluntary for staff and is being provided as a supportive measure for those who wish to help. If you wish to donate, send your donation to the Development and Community Relations Department Attn: Haitian Earthquake Relief Campaign. Should anyone need additional support or counseling, we have an Employee Assistance Program with the National EAP. An employee may contact the National EAP at 1-800-624-4259.
We are celebrating Direct Support Professionals Week next week. As always, we want to take the time to recognize the heroes of our agency for all of the amazing work that they do each day to care for the men and women we support. We would not be able to accomplish our mission everyday without their incredible commitment to serving and supporting others, and each and everyone of them deserves to be highlighted and thanked for everything they do.
ACLD has been given the opportunity to administer COVID-19 Booster Shots when they become available. In order to ensure enough doses are reserved, we need to identify how many staff are interested in receiving the booster. Please click here to complete a short survey on whether or not you want the booster. All surveys must be completed by September 14th.
In this edition of the Limelight, you will find information about a new program opening, a new Direct Care Corner highlight, and other stories from programs across the agency. We hope you enjoy this edition of the Limelight.
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 Maurice Finch, Lead Day Hab Specialist at the Program Without Walls (PWW) day program. Maurice is known for bringing a smile to everyone’s face and has a natural talent for always finding a way to boost the spirits of the people he supports, as well as his fellow coworkers.
With a kind word for everyone, his genuine, good-natured personality makes a huge difference at the Commack day site. His positive attitude is contagious, and talking and connecting with Maurice is the highlight of all those who he supports.
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Whether he is commanding the BBQ at our annual picnic, or coordinating a project such as putting together bags for the ACLD Enviable Life Ball or Golf Outing, you can always count on Maurice to bring his unique brand of positivity and commitment.
Antonella Bechini, Administrator for PWW, says of Maurice, "With gentle guidance and encouragement, he motivates the people he supports to take each step to get the job done. He is always the first one to volunteer and extend a helping hand. Thank you Maurice for being a mentor, an advocate, a teacher, an encourager and a partner for the people we support. We are so honored to have you working with us!"
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Last month, the entire ACLD staff were invited to gather for a Memorial Service on the Bethpage campus to honor the memory of the men and women supported who passed over the course of this incredibly difficult and challenging year.
A tribute video of the people supported was shown, and staff and people supported spoke about the friends they lost. Two services were held to accommodate staff schedules. After each service guests proceeded to the Path of Recognition on the campus, where attendees were given the opportunity to lay flowers on the memorial bricks.
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Direct Support Professionals Week |
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Next week from September 12th-18th is Direct Support Professionals Week. We encourage everyone to please remember to take the time to thank these incredible heroes for all they do to further our mission each day.
Keep an eye out in your inbox and on our social media pages next week for a video that highlights and thanks our DSPs for everything they do.
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ACLD Debuts new B.L.U.E. Program |
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ACLD's new autism-focused Adult Day program named B.L.U.E., standing for Balanced Living Unlimited Exploration, has officially opened. This new program is operating in a brand-new state-of-the-art 5,000 square-ft building in Deer Park. From a zen room with virtual and augmented reality, to a media arts center and a fitness center to a culinary arts space, B.L.U.E. is truly dedicated to the needs of adults with autism.
Ten people currently attend the program as B.L.U.E. is not yet at full capacity. Already the people supported and staff are having a great time with such things as the technology in the zen room, working on art projects and going out into the community and local parks.
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Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone (Middle), with Donna Celardo, Director of Community Support Services and Robert Ciatto, Executive Director.
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Day Hab End of Summer Luau |
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Luau Time 🌺 The Bethpage Day Program and Diane Salomé-Diaz, Art Studio Program and Community Coordinator, organized an End of Summer Luau on Friday August 27th.
The party had a DJ on site, and one at a time, different groups in the program came outside to dance and party. This party was also streamed LIVE on Zoom so groups who were not outside at the moment could still enjoy the music. The Zoom was also available to other programs and residences across the agency.
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Summer fun at Children's Services |
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This summer brought lots of smiles to the Kramer Learning Center and The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center as children enjoyed a variety of activities.
The children in both preschools enjoyed outdoor activities such as carnival games, water play, and the new sensory garden at The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center.
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Since the re-opening of Day Programs last year, the Levittown Bridges site has been baking dog biscuits for various local animal shelters and dog day cares.
Due to volunteer sites being shut down at that time, the program had to find creative ways to keep the men and women supported engaged and connected with the community. Bridges staff member Joanne McHugh then came up with this brilliant idea! Over a year later, the site is still going strong with baking these delicious treats, and are no doubt keeping our furry friends very happy!
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Employee Engagement Day - Aloha Day |
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Last month, The Organizational Care Committee organized a brand-new Employee Engagement Day, Aloha Day, and the day was a huge success with staff from across the agency dressed up in their best Hawaiian Shirts and Luau Attire.
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Don't forget the next Employee Engagement Day: Back 2 School Day
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Message from the Center for Learning: We have set our training schedule for October of 2021. The links to register for classes can be found on the CFL Training Calendar on Microsoft Teams! See image below.
Please note:
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All AMAP Cert and Recert classes are still being held virtually using Zoom. Zoom links are sent out the night before the training.
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All CPR-AED-First Aid trainings are being held live in Bethpage at the 807 building.
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All SCIP Core and Recert trainings are being held live in Bethpage at the 807 building.
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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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ACLD Today on Microsoft Teams |
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Message from the IT Department: The ACLD IT department is pleased to announce going forward, Microsoft Teams is the new home of ACLD Today content. The ACLD Today home page, Top Docs document library, and other tabs on ACLD Today will be retired as of Tuesday, September 7th.
Your internet home page will be changed to the ACLD.org Business Links page, which contains all the links present on the ACLD Today page. These links are also available in Teams under the ACLD Today Team.
We have worked with ACLD’s many departments to relocate all data located in the Top Docs library on the ACLD Today website. For questions on where this data may now be located, please contact your supervisor or director.
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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 people to work at ACLD. See the flyer below for details.
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The Human Resources Department has notified the agency that The New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY Hero Act) has been signed into law. This act is a Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan to protect employees against an exposure and disease during an airborne infectious disease outbreak.
This plan is now effect at ACLD and we are reinstating all of the elevated protocols we had in place.
In addition to wearing your masks, please be prepared to have your temperature checked upon arrival to work at the front desk and answer the daily screening questions (see below). We will also increase our high touch and high traffic area cleaning and disinfecting. Please remember to practice social distancing and keep your masks on when walking through the hallways, and in areas where there are more than one person such as the copy rooms and the staff lounge.
DAILY SCREEN QUESTIONS:
- Have you exhibited any COVID 19 related symptoms in the past 14 days that include, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea? (If you are experiencing two or more symptoms then you will not be permitted to enter the facility).
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- Have you tested positive for COVID 19 in the past 14 days?
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- Have you had close contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID 19 or someone who is symptomatic in the past 14 days.
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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 - September 2021
5 Years
Patricia Benavides Day Habilitation Specialist, Choices Hauppauge
Christine Cobblah Direct Support Professional, Residential
Kathleen Mazza Job Coach, Vocational
15 Years
Joy Moore Behavioral Intervention Specialist, Residential
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Welcome ACLD New Hires - August 2021 |
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Tania Argueta Teacher Aide, Spiegel Children's Center
Michael Arquillano Registered Nurse, Bethpage 857
Loy Baugh Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Jenny Bellamore Respite Counselor, Bethpage 807
Kathryn Bingham Direct Support Professional, East Islip
Amanda Bohl Respite Counselor, Bethpage 807
Antoinette Bristel Day Habilitation Specialist, B.LU.E.
Josye Cadely Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Angelo Catalano Payroll Assistant, Bethpage 807
Kristina Coppola Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Shaquora Cornegy Residential Manager, East Islip
Xiomara Cruz Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
John Desir Direct Support Professional, Wildwood
Wilny Etienne Direct Support Professional, Dix Hills
Rose Etienne Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Arielle Frayneld Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Kenneth Fusco Behavior Analyst, Kramer Learning Center
Kwame Gainey Direct Support Professional, East Islip
Michelle Hageman Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Lynn Hartmann-Alesia Lead Day Habilitation, Specialist, B.LU.E.
Rebecca Kaoma Direct Support Professional, Phelps
Sarah Klaum Community Relations Associate, Bethpage 807
Desiree Korinko Direct Support Professional, Autumn
Adriana Luongo Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Rasharn Malloy Direct Support Professional, Straightpath
Christelle Mengual Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Tricia Olszewski Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center
Kathleen Pagliuca Teacher Assistant, Kramer Learning Center
Tyasia Patron Direct Support Professional, Long Hill Road
Erik Rospide Direct Support Professional, Yorktown
Pierre Saint-Rival Direct Support Professional, Autumn
Roger Sulfranc Direct Support Professional, Alice Court
Loundy Ulysse Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Tanya Wilson Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
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ACLD's RewearAble program now has a new clothing donation bin at our Hauppauge Day Habilitation site! This is in addition to the two new bins at ACLD's Bethpage campus, making it convenient for anyone to drop off their clothing donations anytime, day or night!
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305 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788 |
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807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714 |
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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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