www.ucp-suffolk.org
Summer 2010
Celebrating 60! UCP Suffolk Welcomes
New
Executive
Staff
I
n September of 2010 UCP Suffolk will enter its
60th year of improving and enhancing the lives
of individuals with disabilities. From the signing of
the original charter of the Cerebral Palsy Association of
Suffolk County by a small group of parents searching for
answers, services and funding; through two decades as
the Suffolk Rehabilitation Center; to almost 30 years as
a leading affiliate in the national UCP network, we have
had a tangible, positive impact on over 100,000 lives.
A number of “baby boomers” who received therapies
from UCP Suffolk 50 years ago are now enrolled in
our adult day programs, and
living in our residences. Others
built upon their early years
at UCP and are currently
living and working in the
community. Several parents who turned to UCP Suffolk
for assistance three and four decades ago continue to
provide invaluable support and volunteer leadership to
our organization today.
We are reaching out to everyone who has accessed
any UCP Suffolk service over the past 60 years, to join us
in celebrating this milestone. Perhaps you are in touch
with now distant members of the UCP Suffolk family, with
whom we have lost touch. Please invite them to email us
at 60years@ucp-suffolk.org so that we can reconnect
and share their stories of success.
Any Possibilities reader who wishes to help plan or
participate in 60th Anniversary events is encouraged to
call 631-232-0015.
U
Egan holds a Master of
nited Cerebral Palsy AsPublic
Health degree from
sociation of Suffolk’s (UCP
Yale
University’s
School of
Suffolk) President/CEO Stephen
Medicine,
a
Master
of Arts
H. Friedman announced the addegree
from
SUNY
at
Stony
dition of two new members of the
Brook
and
is
a
graduate
of
UCP family. Eileen McDonald
Southern
Connecticut
State
Egan was appointed Vice PresiUniversity.
dent, Program Services and Peter
In his new position Wolf
Wolf Director of Health Center Opoversees
the administraerations.
tion
and
fiscal
operations
Ms. Egan oversees the Adult Eileen Egan
of
UCP’s
three
Health
CenDay Services Program, the Comters
located
in
Central
Islip,
munity Program Center (CPC),
Hauppauge
and
Port
JefEducational and Residential Serferson
Station.
According
to
vice Programs. Egan joins the
Mr.
Friedman,
“Mr.
Wolf
has
organization with over 25 years
an impressive background
experience in the fields of spein the healthcare field and a
cial education, developmental
fiscal acuity which will help
disabilities, and advocacy.
further expand UCP Suffolk’s
“Ms. Egan’s extensive backdelivery of quality medical
ground in developing and manand therapeutic services.”
aging OMRDD, State Education
Wolf holds a Masters deDepartment and Department of Peter Wolf
gree in Planning from HarHealth programs coupled with
her leadership qualities make her an excel- vard University and a Bachelor of Arts delent addition to our executive team,” said gree from the State University of New York
at Albany.
Friedman.
Bethpage FCU to Sponsor 5K Walk & Wheel
P
ossibilities readers are invited to “put both feet
forward” as UCP Suffolk kicks off its 60th Anniversary Year with a 5K Walk & Wheel in Belmont
Lake State Park on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union has signed on as
presenting sponsor of the walk.
The Walk & Wheel for Life Without Limits will
PAGE • Message from the CEO
2
• 1,195 Years of
Staff Dedication
include two loops around the lake, with an option to rest in between. Wheelchairs and strollers
are welcome and participants are encouraged to
enlist the support of personal sponsors beyond
their $25 individual registration fee. There will be
incentive prizes for dollars raised and numerous
sponsorship opportunities, including booster list-
PAGE • ClearVision Optical Hosts
3
Brushstrokes Artist’s Exhibit
• Whats Cooking at UCP Health Choice?
PAGE • St. John’s/UCP
4
Partnership Continues
• Guest DJ on Party 105
ings on the commemorative Walk shirt.
Brochures and on-line registration will be
available as of June 2010. To join the committee
(currently in formation) secure a premier sponsorship, or help recruit
participants, please call
the UCP Suffolk Development office at 631232-0015
PAGE • LIPA Awards Rebate
5
to UCP Suffolk
• A Win/Win Opportunity
PAGE • UCP Suffolk Participant
6
Receives OMRDD
“Honorable Mention”
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Summer 2010 Life without limits for people with disabilities™
From The CEO’s Desk
A
s I write this column the state budget is
nearly five weeks late and the New York
State Legislature has passed another weekly budget extender. The separation between the Governor
and the Legislature is so
great that our representatives in Albany feel that
the prospect of a budget
any time soon is remote.
Adding to the chaos are
the facts that the State
Comptroller has announced that the State
will end the months of
April and May with a
From the Desk of
negative balance and
President/CEO
Stephen H. Friedman
the Division of Budget
expects the State to run
out of money in June.
The result of this is that Albany is a very busy
place; not governing, but lobbying. Over 5,800
lobbyists are working to assure the budget is in
the favor of the over 3,400 clients they represent. As you know, we don’t lobby, we advocate.
The associations we belong to (Alliance of Long
Island Agencies, Cerebral Palsy Association of
New York State, New York State Rehabilitation
Association, and the New York State Associations
of Community and Residential Agencies) have
been pooling their efforts and working non-stop
to maintain the funding for our programs and
services.
One of these efforts is called “Inclusive Democracy in Action.” Since the beginning of
March, whenever the legislature has been in session, small groups of consumers and staff have,
from agencies all across the state, traveled to
Albany to make their voices heard. In the lobbies and corridors just outside the Senate and
Assembly Chambers they have spoken to their
legislators and told their stories.
I am very proud that on April 13th UCP Suffolk staff members Marisol Getchius (Advocacy
Assistant), Hector Perdomo (Day Habilitation As-
1,195 Years of Staff
Dedication Recognized
T
he excellence and longevity of 124 members of the dedicated United Cerebral Palsy
of Suffolk (UCP) staff were publicly acknowledged and applauded at the19th Annual UCP
Employee Recognition Awards Breakfast held recently in Hauppauge. The ceremony was made
possible by the generous underwriting support
of returning sponsor, People’s Alliance Federal
Credit Union.
In his remarks, UCP Suffolk President and
CEO, Stephen H. Friedman said, “As we embark
upon our 60th anniversary we are pleased to
acknowledge a combined total of 1,195 years
of quality service in five-year increments, from
five to 40 years. This event highlights the extraordinary commitment and longevity of our
Calendar of
Upcoming
Events
3
AUGUST
employees who have made it possible to provide
exemplary service over the past 60 years.” He
continued, “These are the folks who go the extra
Pat Caso, UCP Suffolk Director of Adult Day Services
(center) is congratulated by Stephen Friedman and
Colleen West-Levy.
Kathleen O. Maul Memorial
Down Under Scramble
Hamlet Wind Watch Golf &
Country Club, Hauppauge
25
SEPTEMBER
UCP Suffolk
Fireman’s Chili
Cook-off
2
OCTOBER
UC
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sistant), Tony Kokell (Work Area Assistant) and
program participants Adrien Faure and Jimmy
Meyers represented our agency in Albany. They
were able to meet with Senator Brian Foley and
Senator Ken LaValle, and were introduced to the
members of the Senate Health Committee. Most
importantly they talked about the relevance and
impact of our programs and services and what
budget cuts would mean to them.
Except at our very beginning, there has been
no time in our history that telling our stories and
advocating has been more important than now.
I thank each of you that have made phone calls,
sent letters, visited your legislator, and increased
your financial support. Words cannot express the
impact you have made! Please don’t stop.
If you would like to learn more about how you
can help in our advocacy efforts please contact
Christine Restani, Public Relations Manager at
631-232-0011 Ext. 457, or support our fund
raising contact Marsha Gittleman, Director of Development at Ext. 450.
mile without being asked, and care deeply about
our UCP participants and their co-workers. They
truly take pride in their jobs and in our agency.
Their consistent dedication has helped to foster
a quality of excellence that is evidenced in all
of the programs and services throughout UCP
Suffolk.”
Director of Human resources, Jayne Mancusi,
formally acknowledged employee Karen Gramarossa for her outstanding job as Assistant Coordinator of Day Habilitation Services, presenting
her with the 2009 UCP Suffolk Quality is Excellence Award.
During the ceremony, two members of the
Suffolk Board of Directors were re-inducted for
new, three-year terms. Board Chair, Colleen WestLevy, expressed admiration for her colleagues
and the UCP staff. She praised the dedication
of all being recognized at the breakfast and offered her continued leadership and determination in fulfilling the agency mission.
UCP Walk & Wheel
Belmont Lake
State Park
29
OCTOBER
UCP Suffolk Gala
Dinner Dance
Flowerfield, St. James
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Summer 2010 Life without limits for people with disabilities™
UCP Programs
What’s Cooking
At the UCP Health
Choice Café
P
articipants from UCP’s Day Habilitation
and Day Treatment programs serve up
delicious, healthy meals at the Healthy
Choice Café. The healthy choice program is comprised of a group of fifteen UCP participants and
staff, who meet weekly to discuss topics such as
wellness and nutrition and engage in healthful
physical activities.
Pat Dalrymple, Day Habilitation Coordinator,
explained that, “Individuals with physical disabilities are less mobile and therefore more prone to
being overweight. They tend to age earlier, with
many seeing the onset of osteoporosis, high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes.”
In mock meals, staff role-play being waiters
and waitresses in a “restaurant” designed by participants complete with menus, tablecloths and
placemats. The participants and staff choose
healthy recipes, shop for the groceries and prepare the meals to be included on the menu.
There are healthy and non-healthy choices listed on the menus. Participants are encouraged
to implement what they have been learning by
identifying and ordering healthy menu items and
avoiding less nutritious options. During the mock
dinner, participants work on improving their money skills by using play money to pay for the meal,
leave a tip and count change. All agree that this
hands-on program is fun, educational and, most
especially…delicious!
Electronic Medical
Record Keeping Began
T
he United Cerebral Palsy Health Center
recently implemented Electronic Practice
Management (EPM), the first of three phases
of transfer from hard copy to electronic record
keeping methods.
The integrated line of software products will
enable the UCP Health Center to optimize the
high level of patient care currently provided by
better managing patient records. According to
Janet Alvarez, Associate Director of Health Center Services, “The electronic medical records
system will streamline the administrative portion of the business, allowing for better case
management.”
UC
Uniting Corporate Partners
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ClearVision Optical Hosts
Brushstrokes Artist’s Exhibit
U
nited Cerebral Palsy Association of
Suffolk Inc. welcomed the opportunity
to partner with ClearVision Optical, a
business friend and neighbor in the Hauppauge
Industrial Park, to showcase the talent of local
artists with disabilities. A leader in the eyewear
industry, ClearVision exhibited works of art created by the artists in UCP’s Adult Day Programs,
at its corporate offices in Hauppauge. The show
culminated with a silent auction and reception
hosted by ClearVision.
The array of work and variety of design gave
a glimpse into the personality and imagination
of each artist, proving that art is empowerment,
which provides a means of self-expression enabling the artist to reach beyond physical challenges. Legally blind and guided by her memories, one artist’s painting captured the beauty of
a landscape on a spring day. Another artist, who
has limited use of his hands, utilized adaptive
equipment to create magnificent brushstrokes
of color on canvas.
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UCP Suffolk’s Stephen H. Friedman and
ClearVision Optical’s David Friedfeld.
The artists were compensated for their work
with an amount each determined prior to the
event and which was incorporated into the
opening bid. All proceeds above the opening
bid are re-invested in the UCP Creative Arts Program, Brushstrokes. The openings bids ranged
from $100-$200 and almost $6,000 was
raised from the sale of the twenty-four paintings
on display.
Head Start Expands
T
he Children’s Community Head Start,
a federally funded comprehensive preschool program for income eligible families, received funding made available under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009. Congressman Timothy Bishop was instrumental in helping attain these funds. Now,
sixteen additional children and their families in
Suffolk County will benefit from Head Start services; a no-cost, high-quality, early childhood
educational program.
The Children’s Community Head Start
(CCHS), with centers in Port Jefferson and
Ronkonkoma, provides services for families residing in 13 school districts in central Suffolk
County. Families are eligible based on household incomes that are below the federal poverty
line. Homeless and foster children and children
with disabilities are also eligible. In addition to
a high-quality and structured classroom experience, children benefit from health and nutrition
services, family involvement, parent training and
strong relationships with local school districts,
aiding their transition to kindergarten.
Denice Karotseris, the Director of the CCHS,
says that the program regularly maintains a waiting list and the funding will also provide additional job opportunities to Long Islanders. “There
has been a lot of talk about the federal stimulus
money and the impact it will have on the country. Here is an example of how children and families
right here in our community will benefit with a
high quality early childhood education. Plus, we
were able to hire additional staff. It is a win-win
for everyone,” states Karotseris.
The Children’s Community Head Start is part
of The Community Programs Center of Long Island, Inc. (CPC), an affiliate program of UCP Suffolk. For information on eligibility and enrollment
call Denice Karotseris at (631) 476-9698, or
visit www.cpclongisland.org.
Follow UCP of Suffolk On:
&
visit us at www.ucp-suffolk.org
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Summer 2010 Life without limits for people with disabilities™
UC
St. John’s/UCP
Partnership Continues
S
tudents enrolled in the Executive in
Residence Program (EIRP) at St. John’s
University once again collaborated with
United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk professionals to
gain practical business experience and provide
the agency with a fresh perspective.
The students were divided into three teams;
one to address the on-site packaging Workshop,
another for the Children’s Center and the final
team worked with human resources. Each group
was asked to address real business agendas,
then paired with a senior program manager who
acted as team advisor.
The Adult Day Services Workshop asked the
students to develop a business plan to assist in
transforming the current UCP work experience
area of packaging and sealing operations into
a stand-alone business with an integrated workforce, providing employment for individuals with
disabilities who typically have had barriers to
employment in the community. According to Pat Caso, Director of Adult Day
Services, “With the current economy the way it
is, state and county funds to support the work
experience area for people with disabilities are
decreasing. It is conceivable that in the near
future the program will not be supported at all
by government funds.” She continued, “However,
it is an area that offers people with disabilities
an opportunity to earn a paycheck, build friendships, and be part of a productive society.” The EIRP group working with Director of Education Services, Beth Apostoli, at the Children’s
Center, created a business plan to grow the
early intervention and preschool programs.
The Human Resources team, under the guidance of HR Director Jayne Mancusi, developed
a business/strategic plan for UCP which incorporates internships and co-op appointments
that will give students valuable work experience while providing UCP with new talents and
ideas. According to Eileen Egan, Vice President
Program Services, “Such interactions complement students’ classroom experience and help
develop job skills relevant to employment while
ensuring that UCP will be in a strong position to
recruit them for future opportunities within the
organization.”
Guest DJ On Party 105
I
t had been the dream of UCP Suffolk residential and vocational rehabilitation program
participant James Drake to become a radio
DJ. With a lot of hard work and perseverance, his
dream finally came true when James was invited
to be a guest DJ on Long Island’s hit radio station, “Party 105.”
James recounted his inspiring journey to
achieving his lifelong goal. About five years ago,
he was living at home, isolated and yearning to
socialize with his peers. Although he always had
a passion for music, he was nervous about going
to dance clubs and meeting new people. A close
family friend inspired James to go out, listen to
music, and dance. After a few evenings out, there
was no turning back. James tells of how he felt
the joy of music and dancing which he describes
as, “making me feel like I can walk.” James met
many new friends, several of them DJs who helped
him network in the radio industry. He ultimately
met Vic Latino, a radio personality and DJ at Party
105 who invited James to host two shows on
105’s Traffic Jam, during the evening drive.
Reflecting on his experience, and realizing his
good fortune, James said, “I am living my dream.
I have a passion for music and the blessings of
good friends – those who are music oriented and
have a good heart.” James explained that he
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Workshop Manager Elliot Sachs takes St. John’s EIRP
students on a tour of the UCP Suffolk Workshop.
has learned much from this experience and its
impact on his life. “I realize that people with disabilities can do anything they set their mind to. I
don’t want to be rich…I want to inspire others.”
To hear excerpts from James’ recording on
Party 105, visit their website at www.party105.
com and scroll to the tab DJJMD. Readers may
also visit James’ Facebook page, at DJJMD.
UCP Announces
New Speakers’ Bureau
U
James Drake
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CP Suffolk is pleased to announce the
formation of its new Speakers’ Bureau.
Doctors, educators, therapists and
business leaders are available to address a variety of subjects at no charge to clubs, groups
or organizations.
For more information, to obtain a brochure
or to schedule a speaker, please contact Christine Restani, Manager of Public Relations for
UCP Suffolk at 631-232-0011 Ext. 457.
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Summer 2010 Life without limits for people with disabilities™
UCP News
UC
LIPA Awards Rebate
to UCP of Suffolk
L
ong Island Power Authority (LIPA)
President and CEO Kevin S. Law recently presented United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Suffolk with a check for an energy efficiency rebate of $19,119.70. UCP
Suffolk partnered with LIPA to ensure energy
efficiencies at its new Health Center
The fully accessible, comprehensive
25,000 sq. ft. Health Center in Central Islip
was built to meet the needs of individuals
which equates to approximately $19,000 in
energy savings. This project will also reduce
LIPA’s energy demand.
“We welcome LIPA’s partnership in creating energy efficiencies and incentives to
benefit UCP Suffolk and the entire LI community,” said Stephen H. Friedman UCP President & CEO.
“It’s encouraging to see not-for-profits,
like UCP of Suffolk, benefit from this type of
partnership that allows
them to cut down on
operating costs while
providing
important
services to our community,” said Assemblyman Philip Ramos (DCentral Islip).
“LIPA is proud to
partner with Suffolk
United Cerebral Palsy
to provide an energy
efficient building to
benefit the Long Island
Pictured with Stephen H. Friedman, Kevin Law - LIPA President &
community,” said Law.
CEO and Kathleen Fila - UCP Director of Facilities Management
“By participating in LIPA’s Efficiency Long Iswith a wide range of disabilities. By mak- land program, UCP will experience a cleaner,
ing energy efficient installations, it is esti- greener environment and save on energy
mated that UCP will save approximately costs that can be used to maintain and im103,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, prove the quality of services provided.”
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NY Community Bank
Foundation to Sponsor
Down Under Scramble
U
CP invites you to support Life Without Limits
for people with disabilities and join in honoring our longtime friends Sid and Charles Feldman
of Feldware, Inc., by attending The Kathleen O. Maul
Memorial Down Under Scramble to be held August
3rd at the Hamlet Wind Watch in Hauppauge. New
York Community Bank Foundation (formerly Roslyn
Savings Foundation) returns as presenting sponsor
for the event as does Outback Steakhouse to provide
on course hospitality. For
sponsorship opportunities,
registration information, or
to reserve a spot please call Sid and Charles
Feldman
631-232-0015.
A Win/Win Opportunity
O
ccasionally in the course of our busy days,
busy weeks and busy lives, we stop for a
moment to take stock. We look back and look
forward, reviewing what we have accomplished in
the recent past, and perhaps setting goals for the
near and distant future.
We ask ourselves if we have fulfilled our responsibilities to our families, made a difference in
someone else’s life, or in the general well being of
the community.
The UCP Suffolk Planned Giving Program offers several opportunities to answer each of these
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pressing questions with a resounding “Yes!”
A Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Gift
Annuity can yield a guaranteed income stream
to you and your family, while securing long-term
funds that will underwrite the ongoing needs of
persons with disabilities served by UCP Suffolk.
A Charitable Lead Trust will generate current
financial support for UCP program participants,
while enabling you to pass assets to future generations with significantly reduced tax implications.
A signed will allows YOU to make decisions
about the distribution of your estate, directing
Honor a Special
Person or Event
In honor or in memory of someone, or to
commemorate a special occasion
make a donation to UCP Suffolk.
UCP Suffolk
250 Marcus Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
A tribute card will be sent to the person (s) being honored or to the
family of the individual being memorialized.
meaningful valuables to cherished family members, and a small (or large) designated benefit
to UCP Suffolk keeps your legacy alive, reduces
inheritance taxes, sets an example of philanthropy
to your children, and will have a positive impact on
the community.
These are but a few examples of how incorporating UCP Suffolk in your estate planning is a
Win/Win choice, yielding positive benefits to you
and your family, while creating Life Without Limits
for people with disabilities. To learn more, discuss
the options, or let us know that you have already
included UCP Suffolk in your long-term plans,
please call Director of Development, Marsha Gittleman at 631-232-0015.
Non profit org
US Postage
United Cerebral Palsy Association of
Greater Suffolk, Inc.
250 Marcus Boulevard
Hauppauge, New York 11788
PAID
Permit #385
Hicksville, NY
O ur mission is to advance
the independence, productivity,
and full citizenship of people
with cerebral palsy and
other disabilities.
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UC
Summer 2010 Life without limits for people with disabilities™
UC
Published by The Office of Development
250 Marcus Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
T(631) 232-0011 F(631) 232-4422
www.ucp-suffolk.org
UC
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UCP Suffolk Participant Receives
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OMRDD “Honorable Mention”
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Stephen H. Friedman President/CEO
Marsha Gittleman Dir. of Development
Irene Morlock Special Events Manager
Christine Restani Public Relations Manager
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UCP Suffolk is one of the largest of 100 affiliates in the
national United Cerebral Palsy network. For over 40 years, it
has been a leader in assisting people with disabilities. UCP
Suffolk provides services and programs for more than 4,000
children and adults with disabilities and their families. Of the
program participants, 35% have cerebral palsy, while 65%
have other developmental and acquired disabilities.
UCP Suffolk has received numerous awards for selfadvocacy, leadership, programs and publications. Nationally,
UCP has been recognized as one of the most efficient notfor-profit agencies in the country. At UCP Suffolk, more than
91 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programs and
services.
Colleen West-Levy Chair
Thomas Pfundstein Vice Chair, Finance / Treasurer
Bert J. Cunningham Vice Chair, Advocacy and Govt. Relations
James Aspromonti Vice Chair, Development
James Conner Vice Chair, Membership
Michael F. Ingham Vice Chair, Policies and Planning
Thomas Lowenberg Vice Chair, Audit and Compensation
Annette Melchers Recording Secretary
Nina Eaton, Kathy Flinn Knott, James Monnier,
Paula Neyssen, Kenneth Obletz, Charles Schneck
Honorary Board Member
Hon. John J. Flanagan
UCP Suffolk is a non-profit, independent health agency serving the needs of
Suffolk County residents with cerebral palsy and other developmental and
acquired disabilities regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex and
age. It is a United Way member agency.
OMRDD Commissioner Diana Ritter Jones, Jerry Limone UCP Supported Employment Supervisor,
Mitch Edelman, Joe Dohman and UCP Suffolk Job Coach Corinne Lester
U
CP Suffolk Supported Employment
participant Mitch Edelman was recognized with an Honorable Mention
at the 2009 Office of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) “Works
for Me” event, at the Doubletree Metropolitan
Hotel in New York City.
Under the OMRDD Waiver program, Edelman has been working at the Copiague Memorial Public Library since 2001. He is responsible for the return of books, magazines,
newspapers, CD’s, and DVD’s to their appropriate locations and for making sure they are
clean and ready for the next borrower.
Commenting on his work ethic, Edelman’s
supervisor at the library says Mitch is, “ Always
hardworking, dependable, and conscientious.
He is always pleasant and courteous towards
his coworkers, supervisor, and patrons of the
library.” She continues, “There are many patrons of the library who interact with Mitch on
a regular basis who have come to depend on
his assistance with finding specific items and
on his knowledge of the inventory.”
In attendance at the ceremony were Jerry
Limone, UCP Suffolk Supported Employment Supervisor, Corinne Lester, UCP Suffolk
Job Coach, and Joe Dohman from the Copiague Memorial Public Library. New York State
OMRDD Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter was
a featured speaker at the event.