APRIL 2025

Dear Staff,

April is a very important month for our community as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. In previous years, the focus has been on "Awareness" rather than "Acceptance." This month, I encourage you to take a step further—educate those around us, advocate for change, and highlight the vital importance of true acceptance.

We are thrilled to share with you that ACLD recently participated in a multimedia campaign with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) called "More than Work". The More than Work campaign aims to highlight the Direct Support Professional career path and encourage New Yorkers to join the workforce. Representatives from across our agency participated, and the campaign launched this past week! We are incredibly proud of this opportunity and will continue to share more content from this campaign as it becomes available.

In this edition of Limelight, you will see some very special staff spotlights, learn new information on important updates to our health record system and to the Limelight schedule, as well as other news and highlights from across the agency.

Sincerely,

Rob, Kim, Gerard and Anne Marie

Robert Ciatto, President/CEO

Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer

Gerard DiMuro, Chief Administrative Officer

Anne Marie Sime, Chief Program Officer

'More Than Work' Campaign Commercial

📢IMPORTANT!

Limelight Schedule change

Starting in May, new editions of Limelight will be published on the first Thursday of every month, in an effort to bring you more up-to-date and timely information from across the agency.

If you are looking to submit a story (milestone, staff appreciation post, etc.) to Limelight for the May edition, please email it to Sarah Klaum no later than Thursday, April 17th, to ensure it is included in the May edition.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Klaum.

Organizational Care Corner

Coming back May 30th to the Bethpage campus.- Stay tuned for more information!

Cheers to 35 Years!

We would like to congratulate Scott Bradshaw, Associate Director for ACLD's Center For Learning, who recently celebrated his 35th anniversary working at ACLD!

Thank you, Scott, for your many years of service to our mission, our staff and most importantly, the people we support. Here's to 35 more!

Making it to NADSP III

Over two years ago, I was approached about joining the NADSP Credential Program. It sounded like an interesting idea and I decided to join. It turned out to be a long and winding path but very rewarding.

The process consisted of two parts: online courses and testimonials. The online courses were the easier of the two. Although it can be hard to find the time in a busy house, many of the courses could be squeezed in between or while stopping for a quick lunch. Some even build on ideas that we already learn as part of the job or see on a daily basis with the people we support. The 100 hours needed for the first two levels were easy to achieve.

The testimonials were harder. The first 15 were the easiest to complete with so much to choose from. The second 15 were harder to finish as the choices dwindled. But with my many years of experiences, I was able to get there. The last 20 were the hardest since there are 51 badges available to earn and you need 50 total. Poonam & Scott were so encouraging and helpful when it seemed I would never finish. Scott was especially helpful to help me gather my thoughts, bounce ideas off of and figure out changes when my writing got denied and needed revision.

I am glad that I have finally achieved the top level, DSP III and hope it will help to be better for those I work with & the people we support. To those who are working on these credentials, keep going- it may seem like it is taking a while but you can get there. And for those contemplating it, it can really help you understand our work and better serve those in this field.

-April Dibs

Milestones & Announcements

Diane Salomé-Diaz, Art Studio Program and Community Coordinator, was invited as 1 of 10 female artists by the Museum of Urban Arts (MOUA) in partnership with the NYC Port Authority Art Gallery to paint live for Fox 5 news for Women's History Month. Diane's painting, still in progress, is regarding the unity of women, and how magical it can be when they rise together and show love. Diane's youngest daughter, Laiyla, also an artist, accompanied her mom and was able to be a part of painting process with her mom.

Calling all Parrot-Heads!

Sarah Klaum, Community and Digital Media Relations Manager for ACLD is back on stage at CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale starring in Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville! Sing along to some of your Buffett favorites like It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, Fins and Cheeseburger in Paradise, and more!

There are only 2 performances left:

Friday, April 11th at 7:30 pm

Saturday April 12th at 8 pm

Use code ESCAPE for 20% off standard tickets- Tickets must be purchased before 4/11



Click here for tickets

Anniversary Milestones- April 2025

1 Year

Samiyah Mitchell-Ramos Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Sabriyah Moffitt Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Malts Ave

Roovens Odne Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Harrison

Marie Vernard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Alice Court

Jean Daphnis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Northport

Gina St. Hilaire Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St. James

Fritzly Jacques Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills

Yao Koudjodji Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Blake Ave

Ermaze Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Blake Ave

Kisha Bennett Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Connection- Bethpage 837

Zoey Lewandowski Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jean Registre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St. James

Sincia Doricent Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Guydel Agenord Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood

Fabrizia Kempen Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Daniel Kerolle Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Russell Gardens

Brianna Desire Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oaklake

Rachel Piccirillo Payroll Specialist, Finance, Bethpage 807

Lourdes Hernandez Bonilla Building Services Supervisor, Vocational-Maintenance, Bethpage 857

Carl Camille Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert

Miznaur Rahman Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Rosa Bautista-Fuentes Behavioral Support Specialist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Kailee Bausenwein Residential Manager, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth

Alarick Massenat Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Naseem Telusca Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Bethpage

Corey Jones Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Pamela Christy-Allen Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Rose-Shlaidine Charles Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills

Jacob Louizaire Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oaklake

Dariel Gales Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bohemia-Washington Ave

James Carro Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Steven Reveil Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Yorktown

Marc Keslin Junior Lajeunesse Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover

Dieula Brutus Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Dario Novembre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

5 Years

Marie Sincere Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Malts Ave

Lionel Deroses Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Bedgine Zephyr Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Tania Deriviere-Casseus Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

10 Years

Marie Julien Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Phelps

20 Years

Shannon Gorlesky Vocational & Community Support Administrator, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Welcome March New Hires

Antonino Adragna Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Broadway Bridges

Bethsaida Arauz Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Marie Auguste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Long Hill Road

Ramsey Baker Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert Ave.

Guetty Bazin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Harrison

Lauren Brown Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Lisseth Cano Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood

Osvaldo Cubas Maintenance Worker, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Gloria DaCosta Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Joseph Dibs Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Joradana Dieudonne Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Broadway Bridges

Jamiyah Dixon Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Devonte Frank Residential Manager, Residential Services, Long Hill Road

Diana Garcia Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Harrison

Samantha Garcia Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Christian Guzman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth

Ellisha Haynes Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Sejon

Francesca Hinds Registered Nurse, Day Services, Hauppauge

Gail Kappel Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jordan Kelly Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Baldwin

Peter Lee Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Hyman Ave

Medjine Leger Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nesconset

Nahomie Lindor Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Westwind Drive

Keisha Locimple Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Yorktown

Ruth Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Northport

Anthony Maccarone Maintenance Worker Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Kristen Mahoney Clerk, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Nakyia Manigat Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Richard Mathurin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

Ryan Meza Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Broadway Bridges

Alyssa Morano Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Strive & Day Hab Support

Trisha-Paige Nisbett Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, West Hempstead

Lorena Ortiz García Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge

Makaila Preston Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hyman Avenue

Amanda Ragone Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Brianna Ruotolo Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Kelly Russo Lead Day Habilitation Specialist- Art Studio, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Giovanni Santiago Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Briance Shepard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hyman Avenue

Sara Snow Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Carlo Vancol Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Richard Walker Building Services Supervisor, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Jaquelin Zavala Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Long Hill Road