Dear Staff,
As many of you know, April is World Autism Month. This is a time for us to come together as a community and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), celebrate the unique talents and abilities of individuals with autism, and advocate for inclusivity and understanding.
In this edition of Limelight, you will find coverage of our most recent Organizational Care spirit days, a new video entitled Faces of ACLD, and other news and information 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
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Faces of ACLD
We are unstoppable.
At ACLD, we are dedicated to uplifting individuals with autism, learning and developmental disabilities and showing the world that limitations are only perceptions. Together, let's redefine possibilities and inspire greatness. #WeAreACLD #FacesofACLD
Click here to view:
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A Sister's Reflection for World Autism Month |
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"Not being able to express how you see yourself in relation to the world around you means relying on other people to describe you. I don’t know how, or even if, Steven perceives his autism. I’d guess that he does what all of us do: spend a lifetime learning more about himself, finding out who he can be his best self with, and working on the ways he can have more independence, friends, and a sense of purpose.
I learn things about Steven from people who see him in other environments. The people who’ve known him at work for over 30 years – his colleagues, bosses, and job coaches -- have taught me a lot about my brother. Their recognition of him has helped me see his work ethic during speech lessons or his long-distance runs, how important it is for him to be useful, and how happy he is to find somewhere in the community where he fits right in. It seems to me that having autism has made Steven work so hard for so long that he experiences the joy of everyday interactions that most people wouldn’t see as being real accomplishments. It’s difficult to tell people, “Trust us, he can do a lot more than it looks,” now that he’s looking for another job after 12 years in his last one. Steven’s version of autism means not being able to speak to his own abilities even when asked, leaving him and us forever grateful for the people who do."
-Karen, Steven's Sister
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Organizational Care Corner
Wearing blue and red for Autism Acceptance Month!
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B.L.U.E. at Bethpage for Autism Acceptance Month! |
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Earlier this month the Bethpage Campus welcomed the B.L.U.E. Day Program from Deer Park to sell pins, lanyards and other accessories for Autism Acceptance Month! Thank you to Frenal, Antonella and the rest of the team at B.L.U.E. for making this possible.
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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!!
Click here to fill out the form:
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NADSP Front Line Supervisor Certification |
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Completing the NADSP Certification was an incredibly positive experience for me as a frontline supervisor. Through the process of writing testimonies, I had the opportunity to reflect on my journey and share valuable insights gained from the program. The certification equipped me with a deeper understanding of person-centered support and effective communication techniques. This newfound knowledge will enhance my ability to assist the people I support, fostering an environment of respect, dignity, and empowerment. Moreover, I am confident that the skills acquired will enable me to promote positive communication within my team, leading to improved collaboration and better outcomes for those we serve. The NADSP Certification has not only enriched my professional growth but has also reinforced my commitment to providing high-quality care to the people my team and I support.
-Debra Adams
Residential Manager
For more information on the NADSP Certification Program, please email Poonam Rampal at rampalp@acld.org
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Robin Stevens, Principal of ACLD's Children's Services, will be retiring at the end of this school year, after decades of services. We are incredibly grateful for Robin's leadership, passion and love that she has poured into the Children's Services program.
Click here to view a special message:
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Solar Eclipse- April 2024
Our staff at the 807 Building got together on Monday, April 8 to celebrate and watch the Solar Eclipse, all donning their special protective eyewear.
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Milestones & Announcements
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Rock on!
Check out this Custom 3D-printed Fender Stratocaster style with maple neck and composite ebony fingerboard electric guitar made by Joe Cipriano, Assistant Director of Human Resources. Joe spent countless hours curating this one-of-a-kind piece for the Silent Auction at our Poker for a Purpose Fundraising Event this month.
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Congratulations to Shaleah Stewart, SLF Assistant Manager, on achieving level I of the NADSP certification!
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Anniversary Milestones- April 2024 |
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1 Year
Jarelyne Urena-Ortiz Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Spur Drive
Tammy Davis Residential Manager, Residential Services, Sejon
Catherine Popo Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge
Bryan Kyles Jr. Day Habilitation, Specialist Day Services, Choices Hauppauge
Angela Clarke Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, B.L.U.E.
Adele Rogers Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Strive and Day Hab
Brittini Garcia Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Roodroth Alexis Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Healy
Harold Exavier Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Ronkonkoma
Dimy Jeanty Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert
Abdul Rehman Shift Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Yorktown
Roy Persaud Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage Connections
Daniel Clancy Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Bridges
Nickita Nicholson Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Bethpage
Rosemay Clairant Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Alexandria Bamonte Speech Language Pathologist, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center
Tina Ildefonso Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Sayville
Che Logan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nesconset
Hayley Levy Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Elizabeth Jean-Bellestine Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, East Islip
5 Years
James Thomas Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover Drive
Felerson Royal Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Westwind Drive
Barbara Miller Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Art Studio, Bethpage 837
Lynell Martin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Felix Azor Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills
10 Years
Bernice Burton Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Alice Court
20 Years
Deborah Walsh Senior Accountant, Finance, Bethpage 807
Terri Strull Executive Assistant, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Dione Haynes Direct Support Professional, Day Services, Bethpage 857
Annette Foster Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Golden Opportunities
35 Years
Jack Laspina Assistant Director, Facilities, Bethpage 857
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Nadjina Alexis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover Drive
Jhanah Armstrong Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Marie Auguste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Jean Bausenwein Registered Nurse, Day Services, Hauppauge
Jean Beauliere Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services, Seaford
Kendall Bullock Teacher Assistant, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Sleylina Cadet Teacher Assistant, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Olivia Caffey Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Edmey Castor Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Westwind Drive
Lamouse Damus Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Westwind Drive
Lauren Graham Maintenance Worker, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Laquan Henderson Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nichols Road
Chanel Hernandez Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Blair Hutchinson Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services, East Meadow
Pierre Innocent Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Shanean James Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert Avenue
Kenia Jean Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood
Ada Angie Jn Louis-Michel Residential Manager, Residential Services, Johnson Avenue
Connor Kramer Maintenance Worker, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Lendina Lafrance Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Nichols Road
Ylercier Louis Juste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside
Marie Lubin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover Drive
Steven Lynch Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Sayville
Aishani Nalla Occupational Therapist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Junita Nestor Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Jacky-Lov Pierre Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood
Damique Reddick Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Brighton
Oscar Trejo Maintenance Worker, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Lyndsay Vollmer Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
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Quarterly Town Hall Recordings |
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Click here to access the most recent Quarterly Town Hall Recording:
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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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Click Here to send a Limelight Submission:
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Click Here to read March's Limelight:
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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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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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