From the Desk of the CEO

Dear Families and Friends, 

As supporters of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we see firsthand how IDD community members advocate for themselves and their direct support staff to have equitable access to vital services and fair wages. The pursuit of dignity, opportunity and inclusion isn’t bound to ability or race, it’s a promise made to all of us. 

Black History Month is not only an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments but also to recognize challenges impacting our shared community. At AHRC Nassau, the driving force of our organization is the care and professionalism of our direct support staff, many of whom are Black women.

Historically, Black women in America have largely found employment as care and domestic workers. These essential roles allow society to function and families to thrive. However, the chronically low wages in the field exacerbate the personal and cultural issues faced by Black women since entering these roles.  

The best response is to advocate for legislation that will not only recognize the outcomes produced by Direct Support Professionals but also provide them with wages high enough to care for themselves, their families and set meaningful financial goals.   

This is why it is so important for us to continue advocating for a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) for care providers to alleviate just some of the pressures faced by care providers throughout the years.  

Agency excellence is what we work toward every day. In this edition, learn how we recognize exceptional staff at the Milestones of Excellence Brunch alongside New York State’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). See how self-advocates showed their support for our workforce with valentines mailed to Gov. Hochul in Albany, calling for a 3.2% COLA and DSWE. Don’t miss your chance to do the same and send a letter to state representatives today.  

Supporting sustainable investments in the disability sector helps us provide for the members of our community and empower people to discover and pursue meaningful connections, enriching their lives with love and belonging.  

Thank you for your continued support and commitment as we work toward an equitable future for all.  

Best regards,

Stanfort J. Perry

Milestones of Excellence Brunch Recognizes OPWDD/NADSP
E-Badge Academy Members

Congratulations to AHRC Nassau Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Frontline Supervisors (FLS) enrolled in the E-Badge Academy from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).  

On February 6, AHRC Nassau had the pleasure of hosting the Milestones of Excellence Brunch to recognize the exceptional DSPs enrolled in the program. Tiajuana Gardener of AHRC Nassau was honored as the 1,000th DSP to receive certification in NY State.

Blooming Love:  Nijah and Kyle Share Secrets for a Successful Relationship While Supported by Family and Staff 

By Maia Cadle-Hinton, AHRC Nassau Communications Intern

The story of Nijah White and Kyle Thompson’s relationship reminds us that love knows no bounds. When Kyle Thompson, 26, and Nijah White, 30, met, it was love at first sight.

Kyle says, “The first thing that came to mind when I saw her is, where have you been all my life?”

Nijah lives in an AHRC residence while Kyle lives at home with his family. While both are neurodivergent, their relationship is like anyone else’s, meaning Valentine’s Day is met with apprehension and anticipation. 

“I made him tell me what he’s getting me for Valentine’s Day. I wanted to make sure it was a good gift but that mine was better too, and I wanted us to match. We both got jewelry, so it works out,” joked Nijah.

The couple met in early spring 2023 through mutual friends at AHRC Day Services in Freeport. From 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., day services supports each person to discover their personal interests, while improving their communication and socialization skills. The services are designed to include a special focus on opportunities for building successful and meaningful interactions with other members of our community.

It was during those outings that Kyle and Nijah grew close — sharing inside jokes while learning more about one another. 

Self-Advocates Send Valentines to Governor Hochul

Valentine’s Day is a time to show your love to those you hold dear. This year, people supported by AHRC Nassau Day Services took it one step further by crafting Valentine’s Day letters to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her support for a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) as well as a Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) for disability support service providers.

AHRC’s activity development team led the project that involved people supported in nine of our day services sites in Hicksville and Freeport.

Site managers and direct support professionals (DSP) assisted people supported in crafting the letters, helping them gather supplies and providing hand-over-hand support to those who needed it.

“We had around twelve participants interested in sending letters to the governor. They enjoy doing arts and crafts and had fun creating the letters and delivering them to the post office,” said Danielle Robinson, Manager of the Hicksville Day Service Site.

Jeanie-Lee Saletto, who has received day services at the Hicksville location for over ten years, was particularly excited to contribute to the project. 

She loves arts and crafts and took the lead in acquiring the supplies to create the letters, a task that aligned well with her role as the treasurer for the site.

With the help of the site DSPs and Managers, Jeanie handles the money collected to cover supplies for holiday parties and activities like the Valentine’s Day letter project. Due to the careful guidance of staff, Jeanie now independently handles money and initiates transactions at checkout while shopping with staff.

Between the nine sites, they collected dozens of letters and mailed them out to Governor Hochul as a loving display of activism.

Now it’s your turn! Click here to send your letter to representatives requesting support for a 3.2% COLA and DSWE for disability care providers.

Visit our advocacy center to learn more ways to get involved and take action.

AHRC Nassau Board President Saundra M. Gumerove 
Calls For Investments in Disability

Saundra, with her daughter Lauren, shares the critical role of direct care staff and the need for sustainable investments in the disability care sector.  

A Special Invitation: 
Lifetime Membership for $75 in Our 75th Year

Now is the time to become a member of AHRC Nassau

This anniversary year, we are honored to offer you a unique opportunity to deepen your involvement with AHRC Nassau. Your lifetime membership is not just a commitment to our cause; it’s an investment in a future where our loved ones receive the respect, opportunities, and support they deserve.

By joining us, you will:

- Elevate Advocacy Efforts: Your voice, combined with those of over 8,000 members, will amplify our message.
- Shape Our Future: Influence the decisions and policies that impact our loved ones and the broader community we advocate for.
- Carry Forward Our Legacy: Help sustain our legacy of support and progress, ensuring that the next 75 years are as impactful as our first.

Why Your Membership is Vital Now

- Direct Impact: Your vote will guide the decisions we make and the direction we take.
- Exclusive Resources: Gain access to Nassau News, and join The Arc New York and The Arc of the U.S. for a wider perspective on our collective advocacy.
- Active Participation: Engage in advocacy and volunteer opportunities that directly support our mission and your loved one.

Throughout our journey, AHRC Nassau continues to be the place families turn to for guidance, support, and services. Our strength comes from our collective effort: families, volunteers, and caring staff uniting to create opportunities for people to learn and grow and live full, happy, and meaningful lives. Now is the perfect opportunity to join us in celebrating 75 years of fulfilling the promise made to children, adults, and their families.

Coming Up

NGT Family Webinar Series
February 27, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Register Here
The National Task Group’s (NTG) new family webinar series will focus on topics relating to aging and dementia for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The first webinar will discuss the “Process of Aging” with presenter Mary Stephens, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FAADM.

Session 6. Your Role as a Leader and in Leadership for Organizational Change
March 12, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Register Here
This session will provide ways that persons with IDD can be leaders and partner in leadership roles for big change. It may be of interest to families, Direct Support Professionals, and other staff.

AHRC Foundation Rose Ball
June 13, 2024 | 7: 00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Tickets Available Now
Join us for an evening of celebration as the Nassau County AHRC Foundation renews and celebrates its commitment to children and adults with developmental disabilities at its Rose Ball.