JANUARY 2026

Dear Staff,

Welcome to 2026! We hope this new edition of Limelight finds you well after the holiday season and we are excited for another amazing year ahead.

In this edition of Limelight, you will learn about the recipients of the Gail White-Rison Scholarship and Exemplary Service Award, see recaps from our holiday festivities, meet the newest inductees to the Quarter Century Club and other news 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

Employee Holiday Party

We had a fantastic time at our Employee Holiday Party this past December at the Heritage Club at Bethpage. Here's a quick recap of our wonderful evening.

Please give the website a few minutes for all the photos to load. Thank you!

Organizational Care Corner

Holiday Sweater Day

Door Decorating Contest

Gail White-Rison Scholarship Recipient: Jacqueline Hipp

Jacqueline Hipp is a Special Education Teacher at Kramer Learning Center. She has been with ACLD for the last 9 years. Jackie plans to use this scholarship to pursue the School Building Leadership Advanced Certificate. "My decision comes from a deep commitment to supporting children with autism, learning and developmental disabilities," said Jackie.

Jackie has further experience in the IDD field, working as an In-Home Respite Counselor and Behavior Therapist. "I chose to work with this population because I believe every child deserves to be seen, heard and valued for who they are," she said. "Over the years, I've had the privilege of working closely with students whose unique ways of learning have completely changed how I've seen education. These experiences have shown me that effective leadership is essential for creating schools that truly meet the needs of every learner."

Jackie's goal is to continue growing within ACLD's Children's Services and to help strengthen the systems that support both students and educators. "I want to foster a school culture that values collaboration, innovation and respect; A place where every child, no matter their ability, feels they belong."

Congratulations, Jackie!

Exemplary Service Award Recipient, Curtis Umlauft

Curtis Umlauft is a Scheduling and Operations Administrator in ACLD's Residential Services. Curtis originally started working with ACLD in 2010, returning in 2022, and has become a 'jack of all trades' as Matthew Fayda, Director of Residential Services, puts it. "Curtis is respected and admired across all departments at ACLD for his exceptional teamwork, seamless collaboration and unwavering commitment to improving the organization," said Matthew. Curtis has held various positions within Residential Services and worked in ACLD's Payroll Department as well.

Notably, Curtis played a significant role in the roll out of the multifactor authentication (MFA) and ADP's Advanced Scheduler in the Residential Department. "His versatility and deep knowledge of agency operations make him uniquely equipped to lead various initiatives," said Matthew. "Curtis approaches all new challenges with openness and determination, ensuring that agency initiatives are executed efficiently, accurately and effectively."

Congratulations, Curtis!

Congratulations to the newest inductees to the Quarter Century Club!

The Quarter Century Club, which was established in 2018, met for their annual luncheon on the Bethpage campus in December to induct their newest members. The Quarter Century club recognizes and honors ACLD employees celebrating their 25th anniversary working with the agency.

Congratulations to the new inductees:

Alex Cohen

Sharon Bracken

Jeanette DeBonis

Laida Duany

Janet Forte (not pictured below)

Rosa Garcia

Madeline Molina (not pictured below)

Melissa Montanez

June Morter

Mary Mustakas

January Anniversaries

1 Year

Jose Claros Building Services Coordinator, Maintenance, Bethpage 857

Robenty Jean Francois Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oyster Bay

Bridget Ragone Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Natalia Jerez Michel Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, West Hempstead

Gerda Deronvil Salomon Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Spur Drive

Donovan Stewart Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Hyman Avenue

Markendy Bellvue Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Spur Drive

Jaydah Brown Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Magnolia

Kazi Akhter Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Jason Monplaisir Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oyster Bay

Alexander Vierling Psychology Intern, Clinical Services, Bethpage 857

Daniel Zubieta Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Paulina Ordenes Castro Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Walter Lee Staff Accountant, Finance, Bethpage 807

Sharese Reese Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Rakayla Porterfield-Bettis Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge Choices

Jennifer Garcia Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Shania Dunn Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Jean Desmarais Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover

Cherley Petiotte Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Blake Ave

Jaquan Wilson Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

3 Years

Guerda Gelin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Healy

Vadim Janvier Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Lexis Glover Prevocational Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Mideline Valmyr Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hawthorne

DaQuan Greene Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Calvert Ave

5 Years

Preston DeSouza Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Ronkonkoma

Kevin Fyffe Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Chereen Robinson Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

10 Years

Margaret Pieper Maintenance Aide, Maintenance, Bethpage 857

Neelam Choudhary Respite Counselor, Day Service, Bethpage 807

Salvador Torres Business Services Administrator, Vocational- Maintenance, Bethpage 837

Wyatt Tedeschi Maintenance Aide, Vocational- Maintenance, Bethpage 837

Karen Gropper Lead Sorter, RewearAble

Aharon Yadoo Maintenance Aide, Vocational-Maintenance, Bethpage 837

Samantha Edwards Sorter, RewearAble

15 Years

Jane Nnani Residential Manager, Residential Services, Thomaston

Lara Miller Vocational Coordinator, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

20 Years

Cathy Green Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hawthorne

Welcome December New Hires

Rose Acline Dominique Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Phelps

Emily Encarnacion Teacher Assistant, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Ruben Laureta Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Strive

Miguel Lazo Maintenance Worker, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Valmyrh Lemoine Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert Ave

Bianca Martinez Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Ritha Montou Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Ednerto Noel Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Seaford

Kadeem Ogunlana Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Kirsys Olivo Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Marco Orsel Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Clive Rose Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Barbara Slavinsky Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Fiorella Valdivia Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Nadiesha Wynter Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Town Hall Recordings

Click here to access the most recent Town Hall Recording via OneDrive: