Dear Staff,
As we enter the holiday season, We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for all ACLD staff. At Thanksgiving, we often find ourselves taking stock for what we are most grateful for; friends, family, health. At the top of our list is having such a compassionate and caring workforce dedicated to our mission. Each of you plays an integral role in improving the lives of the people we support, and we cannot thank you enough for that.
We are just one month away from the ACLD Employee Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 13! Don't forget, you must RSVP in order to attend. Please use the flyer below to RSVP by 11/22. We will once again have raffle prizes and a special giveaway for all our employees that will be given out prior to the holiday party. Remember, full-time, part-time and per-diem employees are invited to attend!
There is still time to vote for ACLD in the Bethpage Feder Credit Union's Best of Long Island! We are so excited to be nominated in THREE categories:
- Services: Best Charity
- Services: Best Not-for-Profit
- Services: Best Place to Work
Voting is open until December 15, and you can vote for ACLD in each category every day. See the information below to vote!
In this edition of Limelight, you will help us celebrate our most recent recipients of the Employee of the Quarter and Team Service Awards, hear about some of our employee's experiences with the NADSP certification, see some highlights from our last Organizational Care Day and hear about 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
|
|
Just in time for the holidays- Check out the newest scents from Candleworks! |
|
Looking to celebrate the season with some new scents? Look no further than Candleworks by ACLD! Our new holiday line is the perfect gift for anyone this holiday season. |
|
A huge congratulations to the entire Candleworks team on their recent feature on News 12 Long Island's 'Made on Long Island.' Check out the video here! |
|
NADSP Certification Celebrations continue at ACLD |
|
"My motivation for signing up for and completing this program was that I wanted to be a part of making the job of a DSP/Manager an accredited profession much like doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc. DSPs/Managers face ethical decisions on a daily basis and consistently feel the tension between the ideals of the profession and its practice. I have been in the field of developmental disabilities for over 35 years and didn’t think there was much more I needed to learn. This program taught me you can always expand your knowledge and improve your skills. Reflecting on my time in this program reminded me just how important staff are to the people we support. I highly recommend this program to all DSP/Managers who want to expand their knowledge in the field."
-Amy Schmeling
Residential Manager, Chichester
|
|
"I want to thank ACLD and NADSP for the opportunity to participate in these informative classes that allowed me to obtain certification. In full disclosure, I initially hesitated when asked to participate since I have been out of school for quite some time and always found the online class format challenging. However, after completing my first few classes and assignments, I realized how much I missed learning.
I greatly appreciated the opportunity to grow not only academically but also to develop my skillset further. These newly acquired skills and knowledge will help foster the support and improve the care I provide to the individuals I work with daily.
After beginning classes in March, I have completed DSP Certification II. However, I do not plan to stop there! I look forward to furthering my education in this field, as I plan to complete the courses needed to obtain Certification III."
-Siobhan Callahan
Direct Support Professional, SLF Apartment Program- Site 3
|
|
Congratulations to April Dibs (middle), Direct Support Professional at the Oceanside Residence for receiving her DSP Level I Certification! Some of our staff had the opportunity to surprise her with flowers during an AMAP Recertification training.
|
|
Congratulations to the Employees of the Quarter and Team Service Award Recipients! |
|
Congratulations to our Employee of the Quarter and Team Service Award winners!
We celebrated these amazing employees today at our Employee of the Quarter and Team Service Award Lunch and thanked them for all they do for the children and adults we support.
Employees of the Quarter:
- Delanna Bailey- DSP, Great Neck
- Mary Candela- Office Services Administrator, 807 Bethpage
- Mona Cassells-Office Manager-Day Services, Bethpage/Hauppauge
- Olga Alvarenga- Teacher Aide, Children’s Services
Team Service Award Recipients:
Jennifer Davis, Residential Manager; Timothy Obisakin Direct Support Professional; Michelle McJunkin, Direct Support Professional- Oceanside Residence
Congratulations to you all!
|
|
Day Services Staff Attends the first ACA/NY Long Island Provider Fair |
|
At the end of October, staff from Day Services attended the first Advance Care Alliance (ACA) NY Long Island Provider Fair at Wind Watch Golf & Country Club in Hauppauge. This fair was exclusively for ACA Care Management staff and Long Island's provider organizations to network and share information and service opportunities. Valerie Stammelman, ACLD Connect Team Information and Referral and Sandi Nayberg, Day Services Connect Coordinator represented the organization at this fair. Thank you both for your hard work on this!
|
|
The East Meadow IRA has been hard at work in the kitchen! The residents frequently make salads for lunch with turkey, lettuce, cucumber, peppers and fruit. Residents Debbie, Iris and Samantha love to help rinse the produce and prepare salad bowls for the house.
Residents Debbie, Russell, Melissa, Iris and Samantha also made a healthy pizza recently, using low-sodium marinara sauce, low-fat mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken and a variety of vegetables. Special thanks to Minerva Kim, Registered Dietician Nutritionist for making this possible.
|
|
Congratulations to the Mother of the Groom!
Congratulations to Jeanne Chelius, Assistant Direct of Bethpage Day Services, whose son Daniel married his California Sweetheart, Melanie, on August 11 in San Diego, CA. It was a beautiful, joyous event enjoyed by all.
|
|
Anniversary Milestones- November 2023 |
|
1 Year
Yves Mecene Durand Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bohemia-Washington
Deborah Hankins Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Program Without Walls, Commack
Christina Obi Licensed Practical Nurse Residential, Yorktown
Shaddley Vincent Direct Support Professional, Residential, Nesconset
Colleen Kelly Social Worker, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Tyrell Jiles Maintenance Aide, Vocational Services, Bethpage 857
Nicholas Ragone Production Coordinator, Candleworks, Bethpage 837
Maritza Molina Respite Counselor, In-Home Waiver, Bethpage 807
Jolinie Laviolette Direct Support Professional Residential, Bethpage 857
Asamau Mohammed Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Rebecca Schwartz Speech Language Pathologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Ghislaine Joseph Direct Support Professional, Residential, Thomaston
Tymel Clarke Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Glen Cove
Myriam Kerolle Direct Support Professional, Residential, East Meadow
5 Years
Nadine Beauvais Direct Support Professional Residential, Westwind
Alecia Evans Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Hector Gonzalez Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bohemia/Washington Ave.
Annakay Lyn Direct Support Professional, Residential, East Islip
Janet Ottenwalder Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential, Ronkonkoma
Sayonara Jean Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Hawa Conteh Registered Nurse, Residential, Bethpage 857
Pushpalatha Reddy Day Services Administrator, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Deborah Burroughs Residential Assistant Manager- SLF, Residential, Bethpage 857
10 Years
Ginny Paolino Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Golden Opportunities
Christopher Vicchiarelli Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge
|
|
Welcome October New Hires!
Cynthia Bazin Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Kirsty Bazin Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Louimard Benoit Direct Support Professional, Residential, Oaklake Ln
Junior Brassier Direct Support Professional, Residential, Great Neck
Deborah Calender Teacher Aide , Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
James Camastra Registered Nurse, Residential, Bethpage 857
Justin Clarke Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Michael Cruz-DiPietro Residential Manager, Residential, Blake Ave
Derrick Davis Direct Support Professional, Residential, Westwind Dr
Jacques Dubuche Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Edna Ellis Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Brianna Evelyn Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Gabriella Greene Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Anyla Gresham Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Dale Harvey Residential Administrator, Residential, Bethpage 857
Elixson Labonte Direct Support Professional, Residential, Blake Ave
Asia Legette Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Center
Jennay McGuire Direct Support Professional, Residential, Ontario
Daniel Monestime Direct Support Professional, Residential, Roslyn Heights
Nicole Morris Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Evelyn Negron Teacher Aide – Bilingual, Children's Services, Spiegel Center
Julio Pacas Teacher Aide – Bilingual, Children's Services, Spiegel Center
Geathan Pierre-Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
JoAnn Quinn Regulatory Affairs Coordinator, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Marcos Riasco Teacher Aide - Bilingual Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Sabina Tariq Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Martha Ulloa Zhunio Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Josita Ulysse Direct Support Professional, Residential, Johnson Ave
Courtney Vaughn Direct Support Professional, Residential, Hawthorne
Nyree Washington Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Jason Williams Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Colleen Wineberger Registered Nurse, Day Services, Hauppauge
Hajra Yousaf Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Adults and Children with Learning
and Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714
Newsletter contact: Sarah Klaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
