Dear Staff,
March is a very important month for our organization-- First, we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), which focuses on empowering people with developmental disabilities to pursue their goals. The theme for this year's DDAM is A World of Opportunities with the vision to create a world where people with developmental disabilities have the same opportunities as people without disabilities. If you have not done so already, please be sure to follow ACLD on social media (click here to access our profiles) to see our special coverage throughout the month.
March is also Women's History Month, which offers us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, contributions, and struggles of women throughout history and to honor their indomitable spirit, resilience, and perseverance. At ACLD, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equality where every voice is heard, valued, and respected. We recognize the importance of supporting and empowering women in the workplace, and we are dedicated to creating opportunities for them to thrive and succeed in their careers.
We will hold our Quarterly Town Hall Meetings on March 18th and March 20th via Zoom. The information for these meetings can be found below in this edition of Limelight. Due to high participation in the past several meetings and our limitations on Zoom, we ask that each employee only attend one meeting per quarter. We will also record one session per quarter that we will make available for all staff to access after the meeting.
ACLD has been named a finalist for the 12th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards, which puts us in the running for the Fan Favorite Award. Please be sure to vote EVERY DAY between now and 3/31 and help ACLD win $3,000. Please see further details below.
In this edition of Limelight, you will read about some of the amazing work done by your colleagues and other news and highlights from across the agency. 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
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President/CEO Rob Ciatto will be hosting the first quarterly Town Hall meetings for the year this month.
Due to high participation in the past several meetings and our limitations on Zoom, we ask that each employee only attend one meeting per quarter. We will also record one session per quarter that we will make available for all staff to access after the meeting.
Please use the following links below if you would like to participate:
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Wednesday, March 20, 2024 |
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ACLD is proud to announce another educational opportunity in partnership with Nassau BOCES. We are looking for employees who are interested in improving their ability to comprehend, speak and write in the English language. Employees will have the opportunity to enroll in a English As A Second Language (ESL) class. Please see information below.
- ESL classes will be held at various Nassau BOCES locations. (Levittown, Valley Stream, Freeport)
- Day and evening classes will be available.(Schedule details to follow)
- There are six (6) ESL class levels available.
- The ESL class is expected to start in Summer 2024.
- No cost for staff to attend.
There are only a limited number of seats!!
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Follow Candleworks on social media! |
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NADSP Front Line Supervisor Certification |
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"I had a good experience completing the NADSP Certification for my role as Front Line Supervisor. I very much enjoyed submitting the testimonials because they gave me the opportunity to share my experiences in my role at ACLD. The online training was also helpful and has impacted the way I work since completing the certifications. I really enjoyed the balance between refresher topics on my role, along with some new tools to improve the way I perform my role. I would recommend other supervisors to take advantage of this opportunity and complete the certification—You have to set aside the time to complete the trainings, but from my experience, it is definitely worth it!" |
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-Shaquora Conergy
Residential Manager, East Islip
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"Providing daily comprehensive services to people with special needs is no easy task.
Non ambulatory, medically inclined and behavioral challenges are just a few of the characteristics dealt with daily. Specifically in a job that never closes
(residential services) 7 days a week 365 days a year, team work and exceptional personnel are needed for success.
Direct Support Professional John Desir has taken on additional shifts, spearheaded trainings, (Hoyer Lift) ordered needed medications, facilitated medical appointments and
communicated proactively with management on daily programmatic needs and supplies. Recently, John, along with another staff informed me of a resident's
birth date and the collecting of resources for a birthday celebration at the residence. John also inquired recently about taking the guy's out to the movie theatre on the weekend and getting haircuts for the residents at the Wildwood home. His tireless efforts in preparing specified meals for consumption such as pureed food and thickened drinks all while teaching new staff is exceptional.
In a residence that needs additional staff and personnel John's unwavering characteristic of services and supports truly warrants a spotlight in The Limelight for March 2024.
Great job John!"
- Jason Haywood
Residential Manager- Straight Path IRA, Interim Manager- Wildwood
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Recently, Minerva Kim, Registered Dietician Nutritionist, worked with the Hawthorne House to make homemade yogurt parfaits! Their parfaits consisted of vanilla yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, sliced almonds and granola. Gina, Helen and Jeffrey (pictured below) had a great time assembling this healthy snack- and even went back for seconds!
Great job, Minerva!
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Carol Nocella, Registered Dietician Nutritionist recently did a cooking demonstration with the Plainview residents on the most important meal of the day, breakfast! The residents received instructions on how to create their own omelets and the importance of portion control. Nice work, Carol!
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Milestones & Announcements
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Cheers to 35 years!
Mary Candela, Administrator- Office Services, in the 807 building recently celebrated her 35-year anniversary working at ACLD!
Congratulations Mary- thank you for all you do!
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Brava, Jeanette!
Last month, Jeanette Debonis, Receptionist/Secretary and Community Habilitation Specialist at Hauppauge competed at the New York Dance Festival, competing against the best in Dancesport. Jeanette competed against 13 couples at the Silver level and placed 3rd, 4th and 5th in the single heats and championship and scholarship. Jeanette is looking forward to her next competition in Summer 2024- Keep on dancing, Jeanette!
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Happy Trails!
After 23 years of dedicated service to ACLD, Kim Giroffi, Office Administrator for the Development Department, has officially retired! Kim's impact on our agency has been tremendous, having worked with many different departments during her time. The Development team successfully surprised Kim on her last day with a celebration of her retirement, with many coworkers from her time at the agency in attendance. We wish Kim nothing but the best!
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Rock Opera in Oakdale
Sarah Klaum, Community and Digital Media Relations Manager for ACLD is back on stage as a featured soloist in CM Performing Art's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, running from March 16-April 6. In January, ACLD staff and residents from the Chichester house saw Sarah in CM's production of Footloose and had a great time.
For tickets and more information on this production, click here
*Please note there are no performances from 3/29-3/31.
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Anniversary Milestones- March 2024 |
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1 Year
Martha Osorio Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center
Lisa Bergmann Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center
Melissa Lewis Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Betanie Louis Dunac Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth
Jonathan Chalk Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Blake Avenue
Lidley Pierre Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Johnson Ave
Elisha Pinckney Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Gabriela Castro Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Sergine Raymond Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Yorktown
James Gamble Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert
Dina Dezormeau Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Dahmir Manigault Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, SLF
Ritchy Fede Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth
Randy Elysee Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Juliet Patterson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave
Jocy Lacroix Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Islip
Rasheed Dewan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St. James
Macnally Colin Direct Support Professional Johnson Ave
Jennifer Cerasoli Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
5 Years
Lisa-Marie Donnelly Job Coach, Day Services, Bethpage 857
Edward Morant Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services Thomaston
David Marchese Maintenance Aide, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857
Coretta Coleman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Emily Krebs Clerk, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857
Jermel Bethea Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Oasis
Annie Ramlogan Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bridges Levittown
10 Years
Laura Heidenfelder Payroll Assistant, Finance, Bethpage 807
Rodlane Francois Team Coordinator, Day Services, Levittown Strive & Day Hab Sub
20 Years
Asrith Mompoint Direct Support Professional, Day Services, Bethpage 857
30 Years
Cortlynne Grimaldi Trainer- CFL, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
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Welcome February New Hires! |
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Christopher Brutus Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Roslyn Heights
Cynthia Carlo Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center
Karla Casiano Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Alexa Casseus Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood
Martha Castro A Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
France Chery Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Baldwin
Tanisha Collins Residential Manager, Residential Services, Syosset
Chukwunonso Egonu Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Joel Gonzalez Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Adah Habib Behavior Analyst, Children's Services, Spiegel Childrens Center
Angelique Harris-McPherson Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Andrea Herzog Licensed Practical Nurse, Residential Services, Yorktown
Jason Ho Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Russell Gardens
Shakira Hubbard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services Bethpage 857
Kimberly Johnson Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services, St. James
Daniella Leggio Speech Language Pathologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Madelyn Lopez Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Melissa Louis Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Vallerie Masson Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Meghan McNiff Behavior Analyst, Children's Services, Bethpage 857
Tristin McSweeney Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Alberly Morales Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Dacora Motley Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
John Perez Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, PWW Commack
Gia Reid Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Chichester
Djuistine Roseus Job Coach, Day Services, Bethpage 857
Emmanuella Saint Charles Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Cierra Scott Speech Language Pathologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Ramdular Singh Maintenance Worker, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Edrop Ulysse Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth
Sean Volatile Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Keisha Ylionard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
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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.
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Submit YOUR stories to Limelight
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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.
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"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.
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Follow us on Social Media! |
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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
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