Dear Staff,

With Spring around the corner, we are all looking forward to bidding goodbye to the cold weather and all of the snow that it brought with it. As we begin to look for brighter days ahead, both with the weather and the pandemic, we continue to encourage our staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To read facts about the vaccine on the CDC's website, please click here. Anyone who has not received it, and would like to, should contact Joel Santana at x134 about vaccine availability.
 
Once again ACLD Executive Director, Rob Ciatto will be hosting Virtual Town Hall meetings this month for all staff. These Town Halls will be held on Zoom on March 24th and March 25th at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on both dates. See below in this newsletter for the Zoom links for each meeting.
 
In this edition of the Limelight, we are covering ACLD's newly promoted Director of Human Resources, personal milestones of ACLD's employees, information on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and other highlights from across the agency. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Rob, Gerard, Anne Marie and Kim
 
Robert Ciatto, Executive Director
Gerard DiMuro, Assistant Executive Director
Anne Marie Sime, Assistant Executive Director
Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer
March Employee Spotlight
This month, we are highlighting one of our favorite staff members who is employed with us through ACLD's Vocational Services, Emily Krebs.

Emily began working at ACLD as a clerk for the 807 building on the Bethpage campus in March 2019 after she found and applied for the job listing on Indeed. Prior to joining the ACLD Family, Emily worked at Babies R Us, the Massapequa Hospital for Animals and an animal shelter. As a huge lover of animals, she has volunteered time with animal rescuing and supports the ASPCA.

Emily grew up in Nassau County and credits her loving family for always encouraging her to grow and take on new challenges, contributing to her positive attitude and determination to continue to work on realizing her full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys seeing her friends and family, playing with her two cats and staying physically active, especially outdoors. Those close to her in the agency know that she attends the ACLD annual Walk/Run: Journey for an Enviable Life, in addition to being a regular participant in a local Brain Aneurysm walk.

In the future, some of Emily's goals are to complete the college degree she is currently working on in Business Administration, and to move out and get a place of her own. With animals so important to her, she can also see herself working with them again, perhaps in a veterinarian’s office.

Emily says that it's very important that everyone understands that you can be anything we want to be, and that we should always push ourselves to step outside of our comfort zone. "It's ok to be different and it's ok to look different. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can not do. You can do anything you put your mind to." said Emily.
New Director of Human Resources
Congratulations to Alex Cohen on being promoted to ACLD's Director of Human Resources.

Alex has been a long-time employee of ACLD, beginning his career with the agency back in 2000 as a Human Resources Generalist, followed by the first of several promotions to Senior Human Resources Generalist in 2005.

During his tenure, Alex has been an important part of the Human Resources department during a time of incredible growth throughout the agency. In 2006 his role grew larger upon his promotion to the invaluable position of Employee Relations Manager. Over the years, Alex has been applauded for not only his talents in employee labor relations, but for being approachable and for his ability to address employee concerns and issues with compassion and understanding. He took over the role of Director of Human Resources last month.

"I am sincerely appreciative of the opportunity to be the Director for the Human Resources Department. I could not have done this without the support of my co-workers throughout the Agency. Together we help make ACLD a better place for employees and people supported. I look forward to continuing with our agency mission and being ready for the next challenge." said Alex.

Please join us in congratulating Alex in this new leadership position and wish him the best of luck.
Developmental Disabilities Month
ACLD celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in this month of March. March was declared Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. He said “I urge all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential”.

Since then, this month has expanded into a national movement that helps acknowledge the progress that people with developmental disabilities have made through advocacy, call attention to the societal barriers that still exist, and highlight actions that need to be taken.

Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities creates a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. Every year they select artwork created by a self-advocate to serve as a logo for the month. See the above graphic and feel free to use it on your own personal social media accounts this month.
Shout out to the Facilities Crew!
Can we get a round of applause for the amazing facilities crew here at ACLD?

The big snow storms these past weeks created a ton of extra work for the whole facilities team, making it necessary at times for them to literally work all day and throughout the night to ensure that every building, residence and site was plowed and shoveled.
Facilities Appreciation BBQ in May 2019
With our over 100 program locations, this undertaking was certainly no easy task. Without their hard work and dedication, we would not have been able to fully function as an agency throughout these storms. Thank you to Frank Pepitone, Director of Facilities, and his entire facilities crew for all they do.
Virtual Meetings with Empower
ACLD's new 401(k) retirement company, Empower has been holding virtual meetings throughout March to inform employees about the new plan and how to access retirement information. Please click below to register for an upcoming meeting.
ACLD to debut new BLUE Autism Program
ACLD will be opening its newest program this spring, an autism-focused Adult Day program called BLUE (Balance Living Unlimited Exploration). This program located in Deer Park will provide support and services to 30 adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and will have a focus on personal interest and exploration.

The brand new 5,000 square ft building was constructed by Deer Park Holdings with a specialized focus in mind. From a sensory room, to a media arts center, and a fitness center to culinary arts, BLUE is a unique program. The program will also have traditional volunteer opportunities and community involvement to foster deeper connections to their community.
You're invited to Town Halls with Rob Ciatto
ACLD's Executive Director Rob Ciatto will again be holding Virtual Town Hall meetings that are open to all staff across the agency.

These Town Halls are held to discuss the state of ACLD, our continued work in responding to this pandemic and ensuring the safety of our workforce and people supported. Everyone is encouraged to join and to ask Rob questions. See below for the dates, times and Zoom links to join
Mar 24, 2021 10:00 AM


Meeting ID: 817 0504 3428
Passcode: 352276
Call in: (929) 205-6099

Meeting ID: 817 0504 3428
Passcode: 352276
Mar 24, 2021 4:00 PM


Meeting ID: 857 0859 1489
Passcode: 200710
Call in: 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 857 0859 1489
Passcode: 200710
Mar 25, 2021 10:00 AM


Meeting ID: 882 3899 6565
Passcode: 557441
Call in: 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 882 3899 6565
Passcode: 557441
Mar 25, 2021 4:00 PM


Meeting ID: 878 7503 6251
Passcode: 569155
Call in: 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 878 7503 6251
Passcode: 569155
Personal Milestones
  • Chris Seidl, husband of Gloria Seidl of the Bethpage Day Habilitation site, is the Executive Chef of the Dover Group that owns catering halls and restaurants such as The Sands, Maliblue Oyster Bar and The The Milleridge Inn and was just awarded "Best Chef of Long Island" for now the 3rd time in his career.
  • Patty Hopkins, Vocational Coordinator, welcomed her first grandchild, a boy on 2/18/21.
Welcome ACLD New Hires - February 2021
Christina Agnew - Teacher Aide - Kramer Learning Center
Gabrielle Desir-Pierre - Residential Assistant Manager - Roslyn Heights
Juliana Marquez - Direct Support Professional - Oakdale
Kerline Jules Laguerre - Direct Support Professional - Magnolia Manor
Kingsley Chukwuemeka - Residential Assistant Manager - Chichester
Marie Blanc - Direct Support Professional - Syosset
Marilyn Campos Granados - Direct Support Professional - Straightpath
Monica Nixon - Direct Support Professional - Alice Court
Talia Drakeford - Direct Support Professional - East Islip
Yesenia Gonzalez - Respite Counselor - Bethpage 807
Yleana Cascio - Respite Counselor - Bethpage 807
Don't forget that ACLD’s RewearAble program is still accepting contactless clothing donations.

Drop off your items Monday - Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm in the blue bins behind the 837 building on our Bethpage campus.

Call 516-822-2099 when you arrive and we will come out with a receipt. Please make sure your items are tightly sealed in a plastic bag before arriving.

As always, your donation helps to create jobs for adults with learning and developmental disabilities.
Billy Joel Tribute Concert to Support ACLD
Saturday April 10th at 8:00 pm
Support ACLD while singing along to Billy Joel classics at a virtual tribute concert with Long Island based cover band "Cold Spring Harbor". Buy your ticket today and ACLD receives a portion of the proceeds.
Have a dance party at home with family and friends while listening to hits like “Uptown Girl”, "Piano Man" and "We Didn't Start the Fire" right in your living room!

Don't miss this opportunity to attend a fun Saturday night virtual concert to benefit ACLD. Click the button above to learn more and to buy your ticket now.
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.
Bright Idea Box
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.

Please share your ideas and suggestions anytime at brightideabox@acld.org or by using the "Bright Idea Box" at one of the following ACLD locations.
807 Building
837 Building
857 Building
Program Without Walls
Kramer Learning Center
Spiegel Children's Center
Hauppauge Day Program
Levittown Day Program
Glen Cove Day Program
Westbury Day Program
Farmingdale Day Program
Submit YOUR stories for the "Limelight"
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:

  • 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

  • Information or news useful for staff across the agency. Anything important or fun.

  • Proud moments for you or your family (Personal or professional milestones, awards, weddings, educational degrees or works in the community).

Don't be shy about submitting stories - we need new ones every month!
"the limelight" is an initiative of the
Communications Committee
and is produced by the
Development and Community Relations Department.

Jonathan Dolan, Editor. For questions, comments or suggestions, please email dolanj2@acld.org 

Thank you to all who have submitted information
and photos. Keep them coming!
We welcome your comments and suggestions.