DECEMBER 2024

Dear Staff,

With the holiday season upon us, we are very excited about the celebrations in store for us around the agency! As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for your hard work, dedication, and the incredible achievements we’ve accomplished together. You truly are the heart and soul of this organization, and we are incredibly grateful for the work that you do each and every day.

In this edition of Limelight, you'll get an update on upcoming holiday and diversity festivities, hear from some staff who have just completed the NADSP Certification and find out about news and highlights from across the agency.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!

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

Organizational Care Corner

November Recap: Fall Colors

Diversity Dessert Buffet for Children's Services!

In November, Children's Services had their Diversity Dessert Buffet, where staff brought in desserts from their cultural backgrounds. These pictures look good enough to eat! Great job everyone!

Around ACLD

Turkey Trot 🦃

In November, Children's Services celebrated their first Annual Turkey Trot!

Order up!

The Plainview Residence recently cooked up some healthy French Toast and fruit for Breakfast with the assistance of Registered Dietician, Carol Nocella. Looks delicious, great job everyone!

Countdown to Winter Break!

The BOOST Committee at Children's Services has been bringing the holiday cheer this season with their Reindeer Games! Congratulations to the winners:

Best Bow Picker-upper: Adah

Best gift unwrapper: Gaby

Best candy cane picker upper: Gaby

Scavenger Hunt: Nadine

Cathy Green and Alexis Augustin , DSP Level III Certification!

Congratulations to Cathy Green and Alexis Augustin on their recent level up to Level III in their NADSP Certification! Alexis and Cathy shared their experience in the E-Badge Academy with us:

My name is Cathy D. Green and I've been employed at ACLD as a Direct Service Professional at the same residence with the same Individuals, with the exception of one, for 19 years.

I read an email regarding the NADSP E-Badge Academy in February and received an invitation to join the ACLS (N.Y. Pilot) learning portal. It has been an enjoyable challenging journey of relearning, learning and reminiscing on past events.

This experience as a participant in the NADSP E-Badge has been challenging, extremely rewarding and exhilarating as I earned badges signifying my skills and experience as a DSP.

With the constant support, help and encouragement I received from Poonam Rampal and Scott Bradshaw I reached Level I, and I thought to myself, "Yes I Can"! Then came the push for DSP Level II and with each Badge there came memories of past experiences, new skills, lessons learned (via RELLIAS) and techniques to write about which earned me the electronic E-Badges.

I got to share some of the lessons we learned in the certification with my coworkers on how We could further enhance the lives of the Individuals we assist in attaining THEIR goals. I was delighted when coworkers expressed an interest and asked questions about the NADSP certification.

The wealth of information from the NADSP E-Badge Academy that can be shared with Family members and Co-Workers especially the quality of life enhancing it helps me bring to the individuals I assist is invaluable.

-Cathy Green

Completing the NADSP program, was not only educational but enjoyable. It allowed me to reflect on the positive interactions that I’ve had during my time working with those supported, and reminded me why the job is so important. When I was first told about the program, I was scared and nervous because it did sound like a lot of work and overwhelming but once you start, it can be completed so quickly especially with the support of Scott and Poonam. When I completed the program I felt a sense of accomplishment, and happiness knowing that I was now equipped with all the information I needed to help those supported in every possible scenario. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that voice in the back of my head telling me I couldn’t do it and pushed myself because it was definitely worth it.

-Alexis Augsutin

Anniversary Milestones- November 2024

1 Year

Ana Velasquez Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Leeah Terry Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Universal Pre-K Center Bay Shore

Sophonie Saint Vil Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside

Reginal Auguste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Sejon

Nathan Bazile Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Brisa Sierra Vallejo Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge

Anthony Phillip Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

Julier Carlsson Maintenance Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Center

Marc-Evens Fortune Respite Counselor, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Cindy Fandino Speech Language Pathologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

5 Years

Wayne Lowitt Maintenance Aide, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Tiffany Pisani Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Youselie Henri Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Henny Calle Residential Administrator, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jenny Kellerman Job Developer, Day Services, Bethpage 857

Marie Marette Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oaklake Ln

10 Years

Stacey Chimenti Medisked Administrator, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Welcome November New Hires!

Elijah Benjamin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Claudia Benz Registered Nurse, Residential Services

Katherine Coleman Human Resources Generalist, Administrative Services

Josue Delva Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Marlene Ducheine Registered Nurse, Residential Services

Mary Valleg Carlene Elysee Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Maria Gerli Registered Nurse Trainer, Administrative Services

Clifford Hallenbeck Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Jacqueline Jameson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Kristen Kirkland-Jones Special Educator - Float, Children's Services

Selena Lallave Staff Accountant, Administrative Services

Francesco Marcello Registered Nurse, Residential Services

Patrick McGovern Licensed Practical Nurse, Residential Services

Naika Nelson-Baptiste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Rosmery Perez Sandi Teacher Aide - Bilingual, Children's Services

Stanley Romain Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Reyna Roman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services

Jeysel Sanchez Davila Respite Counselor - In Home Waiver, Residential Services

Susan Shaw Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services

Roni Yamorski Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services