FEBRUARY
2024
Dear Staff,

As we celebrate Black History Month, we encourage you to reflect on the profound impact that the African American community has had on our nation's history and our shared journey toward a more inclusive future. This month provides us with an opportunity to recognize, honor, and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black individuals throughout history.

At ACLD, we are committed to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Black History Month serves as a poignant reminder of the rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives that shape our organization. It is a time for us to not only acknowledge the pivotal role of African Americans in shaping our world but also to reflect on our own responsibilities in advancing equality within our company and beyond.

In this edition of Limelight, we are proud to feature testimonials from your fellow coworkers on what Black History Month means to them.

February is also American Heart Health Month, so our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Brown will be providing some important information below on promoting heart health.

This week, we were delighted to welcome OPWDD Commissioner Kerri Neifeld back to our Bethpage Campus for special recognition of employees enrolled in, or have completed, the NADSP E-Badge Certification. You will read more about this visit and other news about our agency in this edition of Limelight. We hope you enjoy!

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
NYS OPWDD Commissioner Visits ACLD
On Tuesday, February 6, ACLD welcomed back OPWDD Commissioner Kerri Neifeld to the ACLD campus to celebrate our ongoing success with the NADSP E-Badge program with some of the participants that are either enrolled or have completed the certification. ACLD was selected in 2023 to pilot this new training program offered to employees in Direct Care roles. Commissioner Neifeld, along with her team, congratulated the participants in attendance and thanked them for their dedication to this field. Each attendee was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Commissioner. Following the reception, attendees had the opportunity to have an open forum conversation with Commissioner Neifeld and her team to provide feedback for the training. Special thanks to the Human Resources department for putting together such a beautiful celebration and to Poonam Rampal and Scott Bradshaw for spearheading this training.
Follow Candleworks on social media!
Wear Red Day at ACLD!
On February 2, staff and people supported around the agency participated in Wear Red Day, which is about raising awareness for women's heart health For more information on Wear Red Day, click here
ACLD Pride Day
Back in January, staff around the agency showed their ACLD pride by wearing their ACLD gear!
Congratulations to the Employees of the Quarter!
Congratulations to our Employee of the Quarter and Team Service Award winners!
We celebrated these amazing employees today at our Employee of the Quarter and Team Service Award Lunch and thanked them for all they do for the children and adults we support.
Employees of the Quarter:
Megan Smith Medical Scheduler, Bethpage 807
Tammy Davis Residential Manager, Sejon
Ruth Tammany Social Worker, Children's Services
Team Service Award: The Psychology Department
Sharon Bracken, Michael Castagnaro, Douglas Cook, Joy Moore, Anthwan Newell, Lori Osborne, Tara Pace, Daniel Rogers, Guiseppina Spinelli, Christine Taboada

Milestones & Announcements

Cheers to 40 Years!

Last week, Karen Britton, Speech Department Supervisor for Children's Services celebrated her 40th anniversary with ACLD! Congratulations Karen, on this momentous milestone, here's to many more!

Imagine that!

We are ecstatic to announce that our President/CEO Robert Ciatto has been selected as a FINALIST for the Leadership Excellence Award at the 12th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards! The Long Island Imagine Awards were created as a way to showcase the nonprofit sector and all the good work that it does, as well as provide opportunities for deeper collaboration within the sector. Congratulations, Rob, and best of luck!
Anniversary Milestones- February 2024
15 Years
Lisa John Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Meadow
Kathryne Rahner Clerk, Administrative Office Staff, Bethpage 807

20 Years
Albertha Concepcion Residential Manager, Residential Services, Magnolia

40 Years
Karen Britton Speech Department Supervisor, Children's Services
Welcome January New Hires!
Maiya Abel Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Rebecca Argueta Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Michael Bentil-Owusu Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Autumn
Anthony Blankley Clerk, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Mikayla Brown Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Kyra Burch Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center
Shaniqua Campbell Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Islip
Mariah Carl Pittman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Booz Compere Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services, Russel Gardens
Genevieve Delcasse Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills
Michael Doherty Trainer, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Roy Earle Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services Bridges Day Habilitation- Glen Cove
George Fitting Lead Maintenance Worker, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857
Bridget Gallace Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Rachel Hassan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Roslyn Heights
Chyainne Jean-Lous Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Marie France Jeannis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Russell Gardens,
Adolina Jules Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
William Link Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, PWW-Commack
Benjamin Loetman IT Support Assistant, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Linda Maney School Psychologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Rico Maulange Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Saniyah Mckay Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Mackaylah Miller Teacher Aide, Children's Serivces, Kramer Learning Center
Daniella Mirro Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Jenn Onboard Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Randi Orenstein Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Diamond Pettway Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Jemina Porfil Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Ontario
Latasha Saxon Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Hannah Thompson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Evelna Wang Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Brighton
Shamsa Zafar Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857




Shout Out Board

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.
Submit YOUR stories to Limelight
Each month we include stories in The Limelight, ACLD's digital employee newsletter, about YOU and all 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:
 
·    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.
 
·    A few sentences on any staff member or team who should be spotlighted for their consistent, exceptional work.
 
·    Information or news that is useful for staff across the agency.
 
·    Proud moments for you or your family (personal or professional milestones, awards, weddings, educational degrees or works in the community.)

·   Employee Engagement day photos of you and your team.
"The Limelight" is produced by the
Development and Community Relations Department.

Thank you to all who have submitted information
and photos. Keep them coming!

We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Follow us on Social Media!
Adults and Children with Learning
and Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714

Newsletter contact: Sarah Klaum
[email protected] / 516.822.0028, ext. 211
9dY2na7PKb84ey1fox