The March Limelight is here!

MARCH 2026

Dear Staff,

Each March, we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), an awareness initiative very near and dear to our hearts. DDAM is a time to recognizes the strengths, talents, and achievements of people with developmental disabilities and an opportunity for us to learn how to use our voices to advocate for the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. At ACLD, you champion inclusion every day by empowering more than 1,300 children and adults to enhance their lives and reach their fullest potential, making inclusion a lived reality for the individuals and families we serve. This month, we encourage you to continue spreading awareness and advocacy throughout the greater Long Island community, fostering a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—not just in March, but every day.

March is a time of meaningful celebration and reflection as we honor both Women’s History Month and National Social Workers Month alongside DDAM. Women’s History Month invites us to recognize the achievements, resilience, and lasting contributions of women throughout history, while reaffirming ACLD’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equality where every voice is valued and respected. We are proud to support and empower women in the workplace, creating opportunities for them to grow and succeed. At the same time, we celebrate our dedicated social workers, whose advocacy, compassion, and tireless efforts create supportive environments, uplift the individuals and families we serve, and strengthen our entire community.

In this edition of Limelight, you will hear about some exciting updates from the C3 Committee (Employee Engagement Committee) 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

Care Connection and Culture Committee Corner

Click Here to submit for Employee of the Quarter

Click Here to submit for the Team Service Award

For more info, email recruitment@acld.org or call 516-822-0028, ext. 288

Milestones & Announcements

Winter Wonderland!

Laura Heidenfelder, Payroll Specialist, shared this sweet picture of her granddaughter Lily (1 1/2 years old) helping to shovel after the blizzard a few weeks back.

Great Job, Lily!

March Anniversaries

1 Year

Gloria DaCosta Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Jordan Kelly Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Baldwin

Ryan Meza Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Broadway Bridges

Kelly Russo Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Amanda Ragone Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857

Sara Snow Behavioral Support Specialist, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Ramsey Baker Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert Ave

Keisha Locimple Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Yorktown

Carlo Vancol Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Briance Shepard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hyman Ave

Brianna Ruotolo Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Osvaldo Cubas Maintenance Worker, Facilities, Bethpage 857

Kristen Mahoney Clerk/Reception, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jaquelin Zavala Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Long Hill Rd

Gail Kappel Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Diana Garcia Teacher Assistant, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Medjine Leger Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nesconset

Lauren Brown Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Giovanni Santiago Job Coach, Vocational Services, Bethpage 827

Antonio Adragna Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Broadway Bridges

Marie Auguste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Long Hill Rd

Bethsaida Arauz Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Ruth Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Northport

Richard Mathurin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

Christian Guzman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth

Nakyia Manigat Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Lorena Ortiz García Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge

Joseph Dibs Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Bethpage

Jordana Dieudonne Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Broadway Bridges

3 Years

Juliet Patterson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Yorktown

James Gamble Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert

Melissa Lewis Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jocy Lacroix Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Dahmir Manigault Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Randy Elysee Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Lisa Bergmann Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Jonathan Chalk Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Elisha Pinckney Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Russell Gardens

Lidley Pierre Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

Gabriela Castro Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Macnally Colin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

5 Years

Lynn Fortune Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Julio Moran Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Michel Laguerre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Blake Ave

Alexander Ventura Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover Drive

Stefanie Bishop Clerk/Reception, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Wendrice Pierre Louis Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Blake Ave

Nathan Nyantakyi Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Spur Drive

10 Years

Aethlyn Peterkin-Eason Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St James

Jasmine Sellers Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside

Karen Duncan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nesconset

15 Years

Jasmine Sellers Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside

20 Years

Karen Duncan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nesconset

25 Years

Karen Russo Secretary, Human Resources, Bethpage 807

Darian Farmer Day Services Administrator, Day Services, B.L.U.E.

30 Years

Patrick Holder Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Thomaston

Welcome February New Hires

Jasmarie Aighewi Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St James

Anthony Alexander Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St James

Arrianae Barnes Direct Support Professional, Residential services Nesconset

Nida Bokhari Residential Manager, Residential Services, St James

Esly Bonilla Olivia Maintenance Worker, Facilities, Bethpage 857

Jazmine Devers Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Phelps

Gina DiBenedetto Occupational Therapist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Nitzia Distance Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Rachelle Dorvil Registered Nurse, Residential service, Bethpage 857

Marie-Arielle Francois Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nichols Road

Jezrahiah Hernandez Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Westwind Drive

Roland Jen-Marie Direct Support Professional, Residential services, Nichols Road

Makerlud Jules Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

Marcy Katz Special Educator, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Steven Leland Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Strive

Malachie Louisius Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Jeanne Obergh Behavior Analyst, Children Services, Kramer Learning Center

Katherine Quintanilla Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Wendoly Ramos Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Erik Samuelsen Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Chatasia Shepherd Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Bryanna Tersigni Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, B.L.U.E.

Michell Toledo Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge

Peter Zimmardi Jr Maintenance Aide, Facilities, Bethpage 837

Town Hall Recordings

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

ACLD Town Hall Meetings

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 the February Limelight