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Dear Staff,
With the holiday season upon us, we are excited to host the ACLD Employee Holiday Party this week at the Mansion at Oyster Bay! This will be the first Holiday Party since 2019, and it will be a very special evening for staff from across the agency to celebrate together. Stay tuned on our social media pages this week for a recap of this event.
Last week we announced the launching of ACLD's newest initiative Candleworks by ACLD, which is employing adults of differing abilities and creating beautiful scented candles. Place your candle order by December 15th to receive it on time for the holidays. Shop now ➡️ candleworks.org
There is only two days left to apply for the Stony Brook University Master's Cohort Program. Employees have the opportunity to enroll in a Master's program in the area of Liberal Studies, or Human Resources Management. See below in this newsletter for more information on these programs.
In this edition of The Limelight, you will also see photos of ACLD staff and adults supported at the Capitol Building in Albany, read a new Children's Services Corner, and find out about news and highlights from across the agency!
Sincerely,
Rob, Gerard, Anne Marie and Kim
Robert Ciatto, President / CEO
Gerard DiMuro, Vice President of Administration
Anne Marie Sime, Vice President of Adult Services
Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer
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Congratulations to Juliana Marquez, a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at our Oakdale community residence, for being one of the honorees at last month's 2nd Annual Community Care Rx DSP Awards & Gala!
Juliana, who is also a recent Employee of the Quarter winner here at ACLD, was presented with the Young Professional Award at the gala for her outstanding work and dedication every day in caring for the men and women we support.
Please join us in Congratulating Juliana and thanking her for all she does to further our mission!
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Order Candleworks by this Thursday Dec 15th! | |
Rally for Direct Support Professionals | |
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We were at the Capitol building in Albany last month to rally with self advocates, their families, and provider agencies from across the state as we call on lawmakers to increase their investment into our direct care workforce!
Thank you to our staff members of Joel Blair, SLF Assistant Manager and Yolanda Dorado, SLF Direct Support Professional for making the trip to the Capitol along with the people we support!
ACLD urges the Legislature and Governor to establish a new Direct Support Wage Enhancement, and a 8.5% Cost of Living Adjustment for the 2023-24 budget.
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Children's Services Corner | |
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Meet Melissa Steffens, Special Educator at The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children's Center.
Melissa originally began working for ACLD 20 years ago as a Direct Support Professional in our Residential program while in college studying to become a teacher. During that time, she supported men and women in the Hawthorne residence. Upon graduating with her degree, Melissa was able to transfer to the Children's Services Program as a Special Educator at Kramer Learning Center.
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Throughout her career, Melissa has also taught other grade levels at different schools, but decided to come back to ACLD, with this time joining Spiegel, because she knew deep down that this was where she was meant to be! She expresses how much she loves seeing each child grow and progress "more than you normally do teaching in other grades".
Linda Eisen, Assistant Principal of Children's Services says "Melissa provides guidance and support to our new teachers, making them feel comfortable and welcome. She took the initiative to create a notebook that is located in our outdoor play space where staff are asked to document, by initializing, that the play environments have been checked and are safe for use. Melissa is genuinely kind, goes above and beyond, and exemplifies ACLD’s Core Values!"
Having formed so many bonds with students and families over the years, she naturally has a lot of photos of them hanging up at her desk. One framed picture especially stands out though. It's a photo of her with a young man who was one of her first PreKindergarden students many years ago. "I've kept in touch with him and his family all these years, and now I get to see him continue to progress into his adult life" says Melissa. It's just amazing and makes what we do here so rewarding."
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The Development and Community Relations Department thanked staff who volunteered at any of our fundraising events this year with a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.
President/CEO Rob Ciatto and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors Richard Breuninger expressed appreciation to these exemplary employees, and spoke about the impact that their work has on furthering our mission. Everyone was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from Ciatto and Breuninger for their volunteer service this year.
If you are interested in volunteerig for any ACLD Foundation events, please contact Sarah Klaum at klaums@acld.org.
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Honoring George Singfield with a Lasting Legacy at ACLD | |
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In last month's Limelight we showed long time ACLD Education Consultant George Singfield being presented with a mural of himself that was painted by Art Program and Community Coordinator Diane Salomé-Diaz.
This stunning mural highlighting important parts of his life, including his 60+ years at ACLD, is now hanging up in the 807 administrative building. Come check it out next time you are on the Bethpage campus.
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Glenn Hollowell of our Sejon community residence went to the Islanders vs Rangers game last month to celebrate his 60th birthday!
Glenn, who works at Stop and Shop and is supported by our Vocational Services, was very excited to buy the seats he wanted for this game and said, "I work hard so I can do the things I want to do, and I had a great time!”
Shout out to the team at Sejon for helping Glenn to enjoy his birthday exactly how he wanted with his preferred staff! Happy Birthday Glenn!
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Men and women in the Bethpage day program have crafted a beautiful new snack cart for our Bethpage campus!
Adults supported take the cart out twice a week to our two administrative buildings on the campus to sell snacks; offering chips, granola bars, drinks and more!
A shout out goes to Lead Art Studio Specialist Frenal Mezilas for driving this project and helping everyone put together a stunning new cart!
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Congratulations to Patty Hopkins, Vocational Coordinator, for becoming a grandmother for the second time on November 23rd
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Stony Brook Master's Cohort Program | |
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ACLD is proud to announce another educational opportunity with Stony Brook University for Spring 2023. Employees will have the opportunity to enroll in a Master’s program in the area of Liberal Studies or Human Resources Management. Click the buttons below for information about both programs.
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If you are interested, you must meet the criteria below:
- Employees budgeted to work (30+ hours per week) who have successfully completed their orientation period are eligible for this program.
- Employee must be active and remain in a scheduled position for 30 hours or more in order to participate for the entirety of the program.
- Must not have received a verbal warning in the past three (3) months.
- Must not have received a written warning in the past six (6) months.
- Must not have received a final warning within the past one (1) year.
**Any employees who no longer meet the criteria, will no longer be eligible for the Master’s Cohort program.
Applications deadline is December 15, 2022!
ACLD must review and approve your eligibility for the Master’s Cohort Program. Interested in the program, please contact Poonam Rampal at 516-822-0028 ext.194 or email at rampalp@acld.org.
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Employee Referral Program | |
Don't forget about the EMPLOYEE REFERRAL PROGRAM! You can now earn up to $6,750 when you refer people to work at ACLD. See the flyer below for details. | |
Help the people we support find employment | |
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Do you know of a job opening in your area that would be a good fit for the men and women we support who are seeking employment in the community?
If so, please send an email to the Vocational Services department at Millerl@acld.org
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Discounts for ACLD Employees | |
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Did you know that by being an employee of ACLD, you can take advantage of exclusive discounts at different businesses such as Splish Splash, Verizon, P.C. Richard, Six Flags and a lot more?
You can also register as an ACLD employee on PlumBenefits.com to get even more discounts on vacations, entertainment, online shopping and other services. Use company code ac0825520 to register.
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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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The Organizational Care Committee is always looking for new ideas and suggestions from all of YOU to continue to make ACLD one of the best places to work, and for children and adults to receive supports and services.
Now it is easier than ever before to share your bright ideas. Just click here and your Bright Ideas will be sent directly to the Organizational Care Committee. A representative from the committee will respond to you promptly, and if your idea is implemented, you will earn a $25.00 gift card!
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Anniversary Milestones - December 2022 | |
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5 years
Rasheen Dotson Day Habilitation Specialist, Program Without Walls
Joel Blair Residential Assistant Manager, Bethpage 857
Frederick Cervelli Coordinator of Facilities, Bethpage 857
Melissa Elfers Senior Accountant, Bethpage 807
Stephanie Murphy Clinical Services Administrator, Bethpage 857
Rose Odnez Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857
Jeanne Rivers Day Habilitation Specialist, Hauppauge
10 years
Georges Charles Direct Support Professional, West Hempstead
Matthew Fayda Director of Residential Services, Bethpage 857
15 years
Pauline Golding Personal Care Assistant, Bethpage 837
20 years
Marjorie Bach Registered Nurse, Bethpage 837
Winona Howard Residential Manager, East Hills
Sheena Smith Direct Support Professional, Phelps
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Welcome November New Hires! | |
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Asamau Mohammed Direct Support Professional, Wildwood
Barbara Monroy Social Worker, Kramer Learning Center
Christina Obi Licensed Practical Nurse, Yorktown
Colleen Kelly Social Worker, Kramer Learning Center
Daniel Estime Direct Support Professional, Dix Hills
Da'Shae Brown Direct Support Professional, Magnolia Manor
Deborah Hankins Day Habilitation Specialist, Program Without Walls
Denise Germain Direct Support Professional, Dix Hills
Dornet Samuels-Griffiths Registered Nurse Supervisor, Bethpage 857
Fangchi Ren Behavior Support Specialist, Kramer Learning Center
Ghislaine Joseph Direct Support Professional, Thomaston
Jaeyah Johnson Direct Support Professional, Wildwood
Jazmin Guillebeaux Direct Support Professional, Oyster Bay
Jenide Raymond Direct Support Professional, Ronkonkoma
Karisa Merritt Residential Administrator, Bethpage 857
Kimberly Hance Special Educator Kramer, Learning Center
Maritza Molina Respite Counselor, Bethpage 807
Nicholas Ragone Production Coordinator, Bethpage 837
Rebecca Schwartz Speech Language Pathologist, Kramer Learning Center
Scania Joseph Direct Support Professional, St James
Shaddley Vincent Direct Support Professional, Nesconset
Tyrell Jiles Maintenance Aide, Bethpage 857
Venice Brown Direct Support Professional, Alice Court
Yves Mecene Durand Direct Support Professional, Washington Ave
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Submit YOUR stories for the Limelight | |
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Each month we include stories in this newsletter about YOU and all of 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:
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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
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Information on any staff member or team who you would like to see spotlighted for their exceptional work.
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Information or news useful for staff across the agency. Anything important or fun.
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Proud moments for you or your family (Personal or professional milestones, awards, weddings, educational degrees or works in the community)
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Employee Engagement day photos of you and your team.
- Or anything else you can think of!
AND - if you submit a story that is also appropriate for Social Media, we can post it on our pages too!
DON'T be shy about submitting stories - we need new ones every month!
DON'T worry about writing it perfectly. Just give as much information as you have.
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The Limelight is an initiative of the Communications Committee and is produced by the Development and Community Relations Department.
For questions, comments or suggestions, please email the editor, Jonathan Dolan at dolanj2@acld.org
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Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714
516.822.0028 ~ www.acld.org
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