AHRC Nassau News - Summer 2022

Dear Families, Friends and Staff,

As always, I hope this note finds you safe and well. Our mission -centered community remains focused on providing the best services and supports for men and women with developmental disabilities. This focus has created a culture of excellence, which I’m proud to share has resulted in meaningful recognition opportunities.

A few weeks ago, AHRC again was re-designated a Compass agency, by New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Dis abilities (OPWDD). This re-designation affirms our commitment to engaging all stakeholders in working together in a person-centered environment with the goal of promoting and achieving valued outcomes for the people we support. Of the more than 750 provider agencies in New York State, only four are designated Compass agencies.

The premier business publication, Crain’s New York, also recognized AHRC Nassau as a Crain’s “Diversity Champion” finalist among large firms with more than 250 employees, such as New York-Presbyterian and Horizon Media. We were honored to be considered among metro-area organizations advancing diversity in the workplace. Authentic DEI education and engagement are critical to AHRC’s ongoing success as a disability service provider and employer.

Since our last newsletter, AHRC hosted OPWDD Commis sioner Neifeld for a campus tour and town-hall discussion, offered DEI training to 3,400+ registrants, continued development of Wheatley Farms & Arts Center, along with other notable milestones. This magazine demonstrates the importance of ongoing partnerships among people supported, families, staff and friends in the community. Together, we are building a better future for all to share and celebrate.

Stanfort J. Perry CEO, AHRC Nassau

AHRC Nassau Welcomes New York State OPWDD

Commissioner Kerri E. Neifeld

AHRC Nassau was pleased to host the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Commissioner Kerri E. Neifeld for a visit and town hall-style discussion with self-advocates, parents, and staff. Neifeld first toured the Brookville campus, Wheatley Farms & Arts Center (read more on page 4), as well as the AHRC Greenhouse. Neifeld then connected with the AHRC Nassau community on a number of topics from how OPWDD is working toward increased economic justice for DSPs to how her previous work as a social worker informs her current role. Following the discussion, Neifeld was presented with a portrait painted by resident artist and self-advocate, Richard Infante.

New York State Renews Compass Designation for AHRC Nassau and Citizens Options Unlimited

AHRC again was re-designated a Compass agency, by New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). This re-designation affirms our commitment to engaging all stakeholders in working together in a person-centered environment with the goal of promoting and achieving valued outcomes for the people we support. Of the more than 750 provider agencies in New York State, only four are designated Compass agencies.

Ribbon-cutting Planned for Wheatley Farms & Arts Center

Nature, creativity and community are the heart of Wheatley Farms & Arts Center. Building on a person-centered and community inclusive philosophy, Wheatley Farms will offer highest-quality outdoors and arts program for the entire community to enjoy.

Opening in fall of 2022, Wheatley Farms will be where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism can connect with members of the local community through recreational, social and volunteer opportunities. AHRC Nassau’s adult day services opportunities will be available at the Wheatley Farms & Arts Center.

On Aug. 25, the AHRC Nassau Board of Directors is dedicating Wheatley Farms & Arts Center in honor of former Nassau County Executive, Thomas S. Gulotta. This dedication is in recognition of his 25 years of public service, which coincided with the agency’s expansion into providing residential opportunities (group homes) as an alternative to institutionalization. These homes ensured that people with developmental disabilities would be able to remain in the neighborhoods they grew up in and close to family and friends. These were not easy years. In tone, and in practice, Tom’s leadership at varied levels of public service represented the very best of what government can, and should, do for all its citizens.

This honor further recognizes Tom’s 15 years of service on the Board of Directors of Nassau County AHRC Foundation and his private service commitment to advancing opportunity and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.

Thomas S.

AHRC Partners With Nassau County D.A.’s Office to Donate 1,000 Jackets to Neighbors in Need

AHRC Nassau, in partnership with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and Police Department, held a news conference at AHRC’s Freeport office on April 28. This event showcased the last 1,000 of 100,000 refurbished jackets donated to neighboring nonprofits, including St. Finbar Roman Catholic Church, which sent 600 of the donated jackets to the Ukraine. This charitable initiative began several years ago when the DA’s Office donated two seized embroidery machines and jackets with fraudulent labels . AHRC trained people supported to remove and embroider over existing fraudulent labels on more than 13,000 of the jackets to make them suitable for charitable donation.

Crain’s New York Names AHRC Nassau “Diversity Champion” Finalist

AHRC Nassau was a “Diversity Champion” finalist at the Crain's New York Business 2022 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Awards. The agency was recognized alongside exceptional “large” organizations with more than 250 employees, including Horizon Media, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, and Hackensack Meridian Health.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Virtual Conference Increases Engagement & Awareness of Issues at Intersection of Disability & Race

AHRC Nassau, in partnership with The Arc of the United States, recently presented the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Virtual Conference, “Beyond the Comfort Zone: Understanding and Eradicating Injustice, Racism and Inequality in the Field of Developmental Disabilities.” With more than 3,400 registrants, 30 sessions, 80 presenters, and 15 sponsors, the Virtual Conference offered a day of training to increase fluency and understanding of the history, challenges and opportunities impacting people with I/DD and the staff who work with them.

Missed the event? Session videos and handouts are available through May 2023. Visit ahrc.org/deiconference for insights from:

• Atif Choudhury, Conference Keynote and Award-winning Social Entrepreneur

"Social Innovation: The Transformational Power of Lived Experiences and the Diversity of Thought"

• Kerri E. Neifeld, Commissioner, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

"Meeting Challenges: Strengthening the Direct Support Workforce and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion"

• Tawara Goode, Director, Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence; Director, Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center "Achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the I/DD Space: The Essential Role of Cultural and Linguistic Competence"

• Alonzo Kelly, Principal, Kelly Leadership Group "Picking the Lock: How Access to the American Dream Is a Test in Fortitude”

The 72nd Annual Rose Ball honored two distinguished individuals who support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and thrive on Long Island. Leadership Award recipient, Doug Golub, President and Co-Founder of MediSked, LLC and Humanitarian Award recipient, Joseph Saladino, Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay, joined guests and supporters at the Heritage Club at Bethpage on June 9. In addition to honorees, Rachel Pulewitz was presented with AHRC Nassau’s Blanche Fierstein Scholarship Award.

COMMUNITY PAGES

AHRC Pre-Voc Meets Hempstead Supervisor Clavin and Councilwoman Goosby

At Hempstead Works Job Fair, men and women from AHRC Nassau’s Pre-Vocational Program connected with Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, Jr., and Senior Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby. Held at the Freeport Recreation Center, the job fair was a worthwhile event to engage with community leaders, strengthen interviewing skills and apply for community employment opportunities.

One Stop Gift Shop Donates to EPIC Long Island

The One Stop Gift Shop, managed by AHRC’s Hicksville Hubsite, donated $250 to the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island (EPIC). The people supported at the hubsite chose to donate to EPIC as epilepsy and other seizure disorders impact several program participants as well as some of the staff’s children. Currently the store is taking orders online, and people supported fully participate in running the gift shop, answering the phone, taking online orders, packaging and delivering merchandise, and keeping track of inventory. All proceeds go back to organiza tions strengthening the local community. Whether you’re seeking an AHRC t-shirt or a thoughtful gift, shop online today at https://one-stop-gift-shop.square.site.

Cornwell House Steals the Show at Dance Recital

Meredith Shear, Alison Chapler, and Wendy Smerzler of AHRC Nassau’s Cornwell House took center stage, this spring, during a Dance Workshop of Lynbrook recital at Hofstra University. The group performed to Shania Twain, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” and enjoyed every step!

MEMBERSHIP CONNECTS YOU

When you sign up for AHRC Nassau membership, you become a member of our chapter, The Arc New York and The Arc of the United States. Sign up at www.ahrc.org/membership.

Membership Matters: How Membership Makes Us Stronger Five Important Reasons Why AHRC Nassau Needs Members

1. Members provide clout! A large membership means a louder voice is heard by local and state legislators and national policymakers.

2. We need to provide the opportunity for more of

citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to have access to programs and services, a

3. As more volunteers are attracted to the work of

in advocacy efforts, and awareness of AHRC Nassau’s presence.

Nassau,

leadership base for the future can develop and grow.

4. We need a better-informed public. Awareness is an outgrowth of membership, and awareness is the first step to creating society-wide acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We need dollars to fulfill our commitments to those we support. Although membership is a friend-raiser and not a fundraiser, membership dues will help generate funds to support unfunded or under-funded local programs and services.

*Adapted fromTheArc NewYork.

You also become a part of a rich history of inclusion and advocacy.

Advocate Today

Strong advocacy continues in support of a $150 billion investment in home- and community-based services (HCBS), but the guarantee of this funding is at severe risk. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of HCBS supports for our loved ones and create a sustainable workforce model to aid in the recruitment and retention of a skilled direct care workforce is now at severe risk. With this funding, states would be eligible for a permanent 10-percentage-point increase in the federal Medicaid match for delivering HCBS, as well as enhanced funding for administrative activities associated with improvement efforts.

AHRC Nassau Receives Grants from NYSARC Trust Services

AHRC Nassau was awarded $229,500 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support AHRC Nassau’s guardianship and recreation programs.

NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNT) and pooled trusts that can make dramatic improvements to the lives of people with disabilities by enabling individuals to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs. For 2022, NYSARC Trust Services is proud to fulfill its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding a total of $3,189,968 to The Arc New York Chapters statewide.

This year, AHRC Nassau is grateful to have received $199,500 from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate. Supported by Chapter staff and community volunteers, AHRC Nassau’s Guardianship Program currently provides guardianship supports and services to 26 men and women and is ready to assist 46 more as a Standby or Alternate Standby guardian.

NYSARC Trust Services also awarded AHRC Nassau $30,000 to support new recreational opportunities and enrich the lives of 492 men and women.

Long Island Council of Churches Supported by AHRC Pre-Voc

Making a difference in the community, men and women from AHRC’s Pre-Voca tional Program assisted with recycling cartons for the Long Island Council of Churches Food Pantry.

Nicole Uterano-Ferrar

Recognized for Medical/Nursing Excellence by Executive Directors Association (EDA)

Congratulations to Nicole Uterano-Ferrar, RN, Senior Director of Health Services, for receiving a Future of Excellence Award in Medical/Nursing Excellence from the Executive Directors Association (EDA). Nicole, alongside five winners from different categories, will be recognized at the EDA annual meeting.

NYPD Detectives Rivera and Mora Memorialized

Freeport Hubsite 4 honored New York Police Department Detectives Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora, who made the ultimate sacrifice responding to a domestic violence call in Harlem, this winter. Led by DSP Dominique Hendy, the men and women at the hubsite created badges with the words, “in memory of our fallen brothers and sisters” and “heroes are never forgotten” as well as candles out of paper and paint with the names of people from Hubsite 4. Dominique delivered these items to Precinct 32, where officers were deeply touched by this expression of support.

Staff Spotlight: Patrick Sherrard

Patrick Sherrard, Assistant Director of Day Program, has worked at AHRC Nassau for nearly 30 years. His big personality and zest for life have been crucial ingredients to creating and managing innovative day services, that engage and inspire men and women supported. Patrick’s creativity is also recognized outside the agency at Echo Light Productions as a skilled filmmaker, with acting, writing and producing credits. His latest project, “Slumber Still: Dawn of Shadows” premiered June 11 at Movieland Cinemas in Coram, NY.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer Spotlight: Convergint's Social Responsibility Day

As part of Convergint's Social Responsibility Day, nearly three dozen employees arrived at AHRC Nassau’s Greenhouse in Brookville to lead a total property clean-up and repair of our greenhouse grounds. Our historic greenhouse provides opportunities for people to learn vocational skills, as well as provide plants and shrubbery for AHRC Nassau residences. This fall, it will be a point of community connection for AHRC Nassau’s newest initiative, Wheatley Farms & Arts Center. Thank you so much for making us beautiful Convergint and thanks to Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America for putting us all together.