SEPTEMBER 2024

Dear Staff,

This month, we join the rest of the country in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a celebration that is, of course, very near and dear to our hearts at ACLD. October was declared National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in 1988 to raise awareness about disability employment, celebrate the contributions of employees with disabilities, and shine a light on equity in the workplace for people of all abilities. This year’s theme for NDEAM is “Access to Good Jobs for All”. Good jobs change lives, and all workers—including disabled workers—deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain and succeed in them. In this edition of Limelight, you will find a video created by the National Department of Labor to celebrate NDEAM as well as a link for further information.

ACLD and the ACLD Board of Directors is pleased to announce the annual Gail White-Rison and the Exemplary Service Award to our staff. The deadline for applications will be on October 21, 2024. More details can be found below.

In this edition of Limelight you'll also hear about our current Halloween Sale at Candleworks, see the newest episode of Enviable Life News, hear about upcoming Organizational Care spirit days, and other news and information from 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

The Gail White-Rison Scholarship

ACLD is pleased to announce that we will be offering the Gail White-Rison Scholarship Award again this year. This is a $1000 scholarship for people who are pursuing a degree in an accredited college/university. In order to apply either scan the QR Code below or click the link and it will take you to the application.

The deadline for submission is October 21, 2024. This deadline is approaching fast! Do not miss out on this exciting opportunity!

The Exemplary Service Award

The ACLD Board of Directors is excited to announce the 9th annual Exemplary Service Award for our staff. This award recognizes exemplary service and commitment to ACLD’s mission and vision to provide an enviable life to those supported in ACLD’s programs. The award application can be accessed by scanning the QR Code below or clicking the link below.

Please note: the deadline for submission is October 21, 2024. This deadline is approaching fast! Get your nominations in as soon as you can!  

Organizational Care Corner

September Recap: Vacation wear!

Enviable Life News

Check out this all new episode of Enviable Life News featuring Stacey Ratner, Katherine Korwal, Erica Lamboy, Mackenzie Mcallister and cameos from other Children's Services Staff!

"Achieving the NADSP Frontline Supervisor Certification has reminded me of why I decided to work with people with a development disability since 2009. I thought the process of achieving this certification was very challenging in a great way. I have so many experiences from where I assisted a person supported with self-advocating for themselves, to assisting the DSP’s with being better employee for themselves and for the people they support, that it was hard to choose what story I wanted to share. I encourage all frontline supervisors and DSP’s to get their NADSP certification as it shows how important you are to the people we support."

-Felicia Cantres

What's Cooking?

Carol Nocella, Registered Dietician/Nutritionist recently led some of our residents in some healthy recipes! Great job Carol!

Krista (left) a resident in our Plainview house making a delicious and healthy yogurt-based breakfast, while Keith (right) in our Chichester house made a delicious omelette.

Milestones & Achievement

Welcome to the world!

On September 25, 2024, Laura Heidenfelder became a Grandmother! Welcome to the world Lily Rose Heidenfelder, and congratulations Laura!



Congratulations!

We would like to wish Chief Sir Ifeanyi and Lolo Lady Chinwe Osuji a very happy 14th Wedding Anniversary!



Way to go!

Alexa Bracco, RN at the Hauppauge Day Services program, recently was featured in an article for her work coaching field hockey athletes with disabilities at a tournament in September.

Read the article here

Anniversary Milestones- September 2024

1 Year

Gabriella Greene Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Bethpage

Michael Cruz-DiPietro Residential Manager, Residential Services, Blake Ave

Lynette Rhett Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert

Louimard Benoit Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oaklake

Edna Ellis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jason Williams Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge

Jeanna Corrie Behavior Support Specialist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Deborah Calender Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Ricardo Zephirin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills

Julio Pacas Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Tameerah JN Philippe Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Nyree Washington Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Sabina Tariq Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Ricky Jules Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert

Josita Ulysse Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave

James Camastra Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Robert Franklin Prevocational Coach, Day Services, Bethpage 857

JoAnn Quinn Regulatory Affairs Coordinator, Regulatory Affairs, Bethpage 807

Daniel Monestime Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Roslyn

Sandra Hemans Registered Nurse, Day Services, Choices Bethpage

Ray Schlossberg Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge

Colleen Wineberger Registered Nurse Day Services, Choices Bethpage

Kimberely Paul Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Junior Brassier Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Great Neck

Jacques Dubuche Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, West Hempstead

Dale Harvey Residential Administrator, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Martha Ulloa Zhunio Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 827

Marcos Riasco Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Universal Pre-K Center Bay Shore

5 Years

Allison Gleeman Direct Support Professional, Community Habilitation, Bethpage 857

Jade Morris Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

10 Years

Keri Hayes Residential Manager, Residential Services, Oakdale

20 Years

Donna Gillard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Syosset

25 Years

Colleen Valentin Assistant Director, Day Services, Levittown- Strive & Day Hab Supp.

Welcome September New Hires!

Carolina Artigau-Immoor Teacher Aide - Bilingual Children's Services, Spiegel Center

Sharon Atkins Lead Day Habilitation Specialist Day Services, Bridges Day Hab - Levittown

Elince Bastien Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Brighton

Eliot Boatwright Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Great Neck

Christelle Cadet Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Hawthorne

Lisa Cassenti Special Educator Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Mirienne Clairine Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Lynbrook

Mariah Colon Job Coach Day Services, Bethpage 857

Arlyn Cruz Day Habilitation Specialist Day Services, Blue Day Hab - Deer Park

Syndy Dalien-Sanon Day Habilitation Specialist Day Services, Hauppauge

Jude Denis Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Cleante Dussuau Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Arnelle Hilaire Human Resources Assistant Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Johnson Jean Francois Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Chichester

Cherline Jean Jacques Registered Nurse Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Vedline Jean Pierre Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Harrison

Fabrizia Kempen Registered Nurse Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Bethchina Louisdor Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Harrison

Tyler Mann Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Sejon

Andrew Miano Day Habilitation Specialist Day Services, Hauppauge

Marcus Morning Direct Support Professional Residential Services, East Islip

Michael Nolan Maintenance Aide Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Barbara Pelczar Registered Nurse Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Rebeca Rancy Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Malts Ave

Caitlin Ryan Teacher Aide Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Mervens Sanon Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Alexa Sautter Job Coach Day Services, Bethpage 857

Anika Simpson Behavioral Intervention Specialist Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Kristin Smales Teacher Aide - Float Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Nathan Ulysse Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Juliet Vorbe Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Autumn

Oneil Walters Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Nesconset

Annastaisa Williams Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Davante Woodberry Direct Support Professional Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Bethzaida Zilerion Behavior Support Specialist - School Based Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center