|
Dear Staff,
As we enter the holiday season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all ACLD staff. Thanksgiving reminds us to reflect on the many things we’re thankful for — family, friends and good health — and at the top of that list is our incredible team. Your compassion, dedication and commitment to our mission make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we support every day. We truly can’t thank you enough.
As you all know, we have been running an Employee Engagement Survey through Best Companies. We have extended the survey submission period until Friday, November 14th. This is completely voluntary, but we value your feedback, and encourage all to participate. More information can be found below.
ACLD has been nominated in two categories for Four Leaf's Best of Long Island for 2026! Voting is now open and you can vote every day until December 15th. Use the buttons below in this edition of Limelight to cast your vote today! Recognition like this is a true testament to the work of each and every one of you!
Next week we will be holding our final Town Hall Meetings via zoom. More information can be found below. We ask that, due to high participation, that you only attend one of these meetings. If you are unable to attend, we will have a recording available after the meetings are completed.
Our Annual Employee Holiday Party is coming up on December 10th! Registration is open now, and you must RSVP before November 26th to attend. More details can be found below.
In this edition of Limelight, you will read about some exceptional employees, get an exciting update from Candleworks and other news and events around 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
| | |
Upcoming Town Halls: November 2025
Please join President/CEO Rob Ciatto at November's Town Hall Meetings via Zoom.
Due to high participation in the past several meetings and our limitations on Zoom, we ask that each employee only attend one meeting per session. We will also record one meeting per each session that we will make available for all staff to access after the meeting.
Please use the links below to attend the Town Hall Meetings:
| | |
Town Hall Meeting #1
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
| | |
Town Hall Meeting #2
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
| | |
Town Hall Meeting #3
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
| | Organizational Care Corner | | Think PINK! Wearing Pink in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month | | Unity Day at Children's Services | | In October, staff at Kramer Learning Center and Spiegel Children's Center partook in Unity Day, a national event put on in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month. By wearing the color orange, participants are showing a united message of kindness, acceptance and inclusion, and to stand against bullying in schools and online. Thank you, Children's Services, for participating in this important event! | | |
A true hero!
On September 9, 2025 around 3:15pm the residence two doors down from the Kramer Learning Center had black smoke billowing from the property. Mike Walsh, who works in Maintenance at Kramer Learning Center immediately sprung into action. First, Mike called emergency services and then proceeded to the residence to assist the owner out of their house and assisted them with their hose as they waited for the fire department. Once the fire department arrived, Mike returned to Kramer and shut down the air conditioning and took necessary precautions to ensure that fumes from the fire would not spread through the program. Mike stayed late that day to make sure the building was safe. Mike worked alongside Bob at Jack at Kramer the next day to change filters in the air systems.
Mike also went out of his way to check on the homeowner to make sure he was alright. He lost his garage, some classic cars and had other damage to his home, but this would have been much worse if Mike did not intervene swiftly, calmly and with purpose.
Thank you Mike, Bob and Jack for all you did to ensure the safety of our program, and to Mike, for being a Good Samaritan!
| | |
ACLD's newest SCIP Instructors
Last month, we celebrated three employees that became SCIP Instructors.
Congratulations to:
Tracyann Morgan
Tara Pace
Alyssa DeStefano
Alongside Anne Stanton, Master Trainer.
| | NADSP Level III Certification: Tasia Meeks James and Annette Foster | | | | |
My name is Tasia. I am a DSP for ACLD that works at the Seaford IRA house for the past 9 years. I was presented the opportunity to take part in the Relias and E-badge NADSP program. During my course in the program, my management was very supportive with me taking time out during my shift to complete the whole program. Of course I still had my normal day to day work to do but they allowed me to fit in the time to do both. Throughout the course of the program, it made me realize just how important my job/role as a DSP is. I was so proud of myself when I finally achieved my final certification. For me it was a long process. I often came to times where I had to think back to earlier days working here. In all, it was worth it. It brought back memories of guys that I use to support and staff. If asked to do so, I would encourage and recommend my fellow co-workers to join and get their certifications as well.
-Tasia Meeks-James
| | | |
After learning of NADSP and speaking to the only person at ACLD who had successfully completed Levels 1-3 in record time as reported by Scott in one of our staff meetings, I gave it some thought and decided that this was something that I wanted to do as well. I spoke to Scott and Poonam, and they helped me to get started.
The fact that I could do the studies on the job made it more appealing. Knowing that I did not have to carve extra time outside of work was a plus, and I was even more motivated after I had the privilege of attending the conference in Saratoga where I chose to attend the NADSP class. I came back to work determined to finish all levels. Furthermore, I have been working with ACLD for so long (21 years), it was basically documenting my experiences.
There were challenging moments when I felt like giving up, but since I am not a quitter, and with the encouragement from Scott, Poonam and Richardson I persevered. With each dose of “you can do it”, “you are so close to finishing Level I, Level II, Level III”, “is there anything we can help with?”, “we are here for you”, I got back on track and continued. However, after completing Level II, I decided “This is it” because I was not getting any time to work on the studies. Ultimately, I became creative and used every minute while at work and after doing daily transportation to get the studies done.
Doing the NADSP levels have taught me a myriad of lessons causing me to examine my own values, knowledge, skills and using them to honor the people I support. Each day on the job reminds me of “The Code of Ethics” in areas such as Building and maintain relationships, Promoting Physical and Emotional well-being, Respecting the human dignity and they uniqueness of the people I support. Assisting and supporting them as they direct the course of their own lives. I now advocate more with the people I support for justice, inclusion and full community participation.
-Annette Foster
| |
Peer Appreciation
I would like to give a shout out to Tom Rand, Day Habilitation Specialist at Bethpage Day Program, a shout out. I’ve noticed that he goes out of his way to make a shy, reserved individual feel more comfortable and open in program. Every day before taking her home, Tom stops by her room and asks her, “Did you have a good day?” or inquiries about her activities throughout the day. By showing her this attention, she started smiling more, speaking up to the staff and individuals, and gradually becoming more outgoing.
-Lauren Burgess
| | | | |
More information coming soon! Stay tuned! | | |
November Anniversaries
1 Year
Rosemary Perez Sandi Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Jacqueline Jameson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, West Hempstead
Maria Gerli Registered Nurse Trainer, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Katherine Coleman Human Resources Generalist, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Mary Valleg Carlene Elysee Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Harrison
Francesco Marcello Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Selena Lallave Staff Accountant, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Reyna Roman Direct Support Professional, Residential services, Bethpage 837
Susan Shaw Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Kristen Kirkland-Jones Special Educator- Float, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Stanley Romain Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Marlene McIssacs Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Gianna Martinez Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
5 Years
Damari Blades Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Northport
Nashera Mulby Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
James Stallone Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Ronkonkoma
Ingrid Leon Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Franck Payen Residential Manager, Residential Services, Oaklake Ln
Daphney Sylvain Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Meadow
10 Years
Matthew Ruocco Teacher Assistant, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center
Melissa Thorngren Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
15 Years
Joshua Shields Residential Manager, Residential Services, Malts Ave
20 Years
Dawn Gentner Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
25 Years
Madeline Molina* Office Manager, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Rosa Garcia Accounts Receivable Specialist, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
* Madeline Molina celebrated her 25th anniversary in October
| | |
Welcome October New Hires
Eva Hallam Job Coach, Day Services, Bethpage 857
Odrit Reyes Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Jean Gracia Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Healy
Timothy Julian Maintenance Worker, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857
Ricarda Phanor Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Shaniyah Williams Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Omar Farghaly Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Belinda Barthelemy Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Oyster Bay
Leatrice Brown Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Islip
Marc Caputo Residential Administrator, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Joyce Elliot Residential Administrator, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Pierre Eristhene Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Yorktown
Jayla Gousse Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Magnolia
Gertrine Luc Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Baldwin
Tantinnia Roman Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood
Somalia Sexton Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood
Meghan Stella Curriculum Coordinator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Susan White Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
| | Milestones and Announcements | |
October was Filipino History Month, and Art Studio Program Community Coordinator Diane Salomé-Diaz celebrated her Filipino heritage and creativity through two major events. She held a solo art exhibit at the Bethpage Public Library, showcasing paintings inspired by her poetry, ancestors, and nature. At the reception, she performed her poetry with her daughter, Laiyla, on guitar and friend Genevieve interpreting through movement. Later in the month, Diane shared her poetry, handmade jewelry, and Sound Healing practice at FiloArts’ “In Bituin” event in Brooklyn, which also spotlighted her son, Iysaiah, as a digital artist.
| | Click here to access the most recent Quarterly Town Hall Recording via OneDrive: | | | |
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
| | | | |
