JANUARY 2025

Dear Staff,


Welcome to 2025! We had an exciting end of the year with our Employee Holiday Party last month at the Mansion at Oyster Bay and with all the holiday festivities throughout the agency. It was the perfect send-off to another successful year for our organization!


As we welcome in the new year, we have received communication that OPWDD has announced that the new rates have been approved. This is great news for ACLD, as we now can better plan ahead for our 2025 budget.  We have determined, based upon these new rates, that we will be able to distribute a bonus within the first quarter of 2025. We are currently going through all of the data to prepare the bonus calculation, including training compliance. We will continue to update you about bonus distribution dates and amounts.

 

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 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


Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin King Jr. this Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Click here for a message from the Executive office on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Employee Holiday Party


Thank you to all who attended this year's holiday party! We hope you had a wonderful time. A special thank you to our Holiday Party Committee and the Development department for a wonderful evening. To see the full photo gallery, please click the button below.


Click here to view the photo gallery

2024 Giving Tree


A huge thank you to all our staff who participated in this year's giving tree. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase all 408 gifts for our students in children's services and residents without family this holiday season. Special thanks to the staff of PWW Commack and Levittown, B.L.U.E. and Prevoc for helping to facilitate the gift deliveries. These pictures speak for themselves!

Organizational Care Corner

December: Holiday Sweaters

Children's Services

Reindeer Games

Holiday Spirit Week

Click here to submit

Congratulations to the winners of the DEI Collaboration Contest!


The Day Habilitation Psychology Department consisting of Daniel Rogers, Christine Taboada, Doug Cook, Sharon Bracken, Joseph Didonna, Akeim Myles, and Rodney Cook are proud to be a part of ACLD’s DEI initiative. As the psychology department we are critical in welcoming all new staff to our buildings through being one of the first people to greet new hires upon their arrival and through initial New-hire Orientation. As such, we are implementing a theme of producing an environment where employees feel valued and respected. When meeting with new hires, generally in the first day or days of starting, we will encourage new staff to share their perspectives and experiences. Getting to know a person first, is included as part of our new hire orientation process. In getting to know and understand the person, it offers the opportunity for workers to feel connected to ACLD and the team, creating a safe environment and enabling a sense of belonging. As a team we are encouraging connection before we delve into the particulars of the job and of course do so with positivity and curiosity.

Click Here to submit for Employee of the Quarter 
Click Here to submit for the Team Service Award

Congratulations to our most recent Bright Idea Box Winners!

Johnna Hauck- To include a link to the Bright Idea Box in every Limelight.



(Click the Bright Idea Box flyer above to access the form! ☺)

Janet Forte- An Agency-wide observance for 9/11, such as wearing a designated color on the day to commemorate/show respect.

Congratulations to Jennifer Davis on your Frontline Supervisor Certification!


Achieving the NADSP Certification for Frontline Supervisors has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. The journey was challenging at times, marked by moments of doubt and hard work, but the sense of accomplishment upon completion made it all worthwhile. This process taught me so much—not only about the material but also about perseverance and resilience.

 

To anyone considering pursuing their certification, I encourage you to take the leap. Embrace the challenges, support each other, and trust in your abilities. The knowledge and skills you’ll gain will not only enhance your professional growth but also empower you to make a more meaningful impact on your team and the people we support. Remember, every step you take toward your goal is a step toward success. You’ve got this!



-Jennifer Davis, Oceanside Residential Manager

Meet Yolanda Burroughs, winner of the 2024 Gail White-Rison Scholarship!

Yolanda Burroughs is a Direct Support Professional in Residential Services who is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. Yolanda's supervisor describes her as "dedicated, compassionate and willing to go above and beyond to support the people within her program." Yolanda prides herself in being passionate about making positive differences in the lives of the people we support. She goes out of her way as an advocate for the rights of people with developmental disabilities and strives to create inclusive environments that foster individual development. Congratulations, Yolanda!

Meet Bridgette Samuel, winner of the 2024 Exemplary Service Award!

Bridgette Samuel has been an ACLD employee since 1999. Her peers describe her as an unsung hero of not just her department, but all departments at ACLD. She always has the best interest of the people supported at heart. She has intimate knowledge and total recall of the needs of more than 400 people supported, and she painstakingly ensures that these supports are maintained. She can boil down complex information to families in a simplistic manner, putting them at ease. Her positive manner, extensive knowledge of the industry and commitment to safeguarding the benefits of people supported are what make her an exemplary employee. Congratulations, Bridgette!

Anniversary Milestones- January 2025

1 Year

Mikayla Brown Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge Oasis

William Link Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge Choices

Diamond Pettway Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Seaford

Bridget Gallace Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Booz Compere Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Michael Doherty Trainer, Center for Learning, Bethpage 807

Anthony Blankley Clerk, Finance, Bethpage 807

Shaniqua Campbell Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Islip

Saniyah Mckay Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Latasha Saxon Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Roy Earle Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Glen Cove Bridges

Maiya Abel Behavioral Analyst, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Hannah Thompson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Alexander Vierling Psychology Intern, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Linda Maney School Psychologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Shamsa Zafar Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Rachel Hassan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Roslyn


5 Years

Avasha Latham Clerk Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Edward Otoo-Mensah Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge

Isselande Lamarre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Malts Ave

Rose Prezeau Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Bethpage

Ehiozumamwen Edobor Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Meadow

Alex Kavanagh Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857


15 Years

Hyacinth Hendricks Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Alice Court

Kharen Anne Hermano Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857


30 Years

Jennifer Libert Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857


Welcome December New Hires!


Chris Catania Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Strive

Jeff Defense Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge

Nahmir Forman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills

Nicole Giafone Social Worker, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Bill Harten Assistant Controller, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Muhammad Inayat Network Specialist, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Moses Johnson Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge

Taysean Massenburg Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Samuel Maurice Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Magnolia

Rasharra Oliver Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth

Terrance Williams Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth

Roni Yamorski Day Habilitation, Day Services, Program Without Walls- Commack

Amina Zeraidi Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Autumn


Milestones


It's been an exciting couple of weeks for Diane Salomé-Diaz, Art Studio Program and Community Coordinator!


Diane is proud to share that her daughter Nadja will be graduating as part of the TOP 10 graduating seniors at her High School. She already received an Art & Design scholarship from Rochester Institute of Technology, a presidential scholarship from University of San Francisco and awaits to hear from some of her top schools, which includes University of Southern California, UC Berkeley and Cornell University. She plans to major in Business. She had also took part in an intense internship the summer of 2024 in London with Trendease International and Creatives Wings highlighting new talent and trends in the home design market.


Diane Salomé-Diaz has another proud moment of her son Iysaiah’s mural which was presented during the summer in honor of Peruvian Independence day. Iysaiah, who is of Peruvian heritage, as well, was given recognition among city council members and given a Citation for his wonderful mural depicting the culture, ancestors and generations of Peru in his mural. The large wall mural is located in Queens on the corner of 85th St. and Northern Boulevard, where well-known Peruvian restaurant Pio Pio’s takeout location is located.

Quarterly Town Hall Recordings



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.
Click here to send a Limelight Submission
Click here to read December's Limelight
"The Limelight" is produced by the
Development and Community Relations Department.

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

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Adults and Children with Learning
and Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714

Newsletter contact: Sarah Klaum
klaums@acld.org / 516.822.0028, ext. 211
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