Catholic Charities Disabilities Services

07/16/2021

*****ACTION ALERT****

Speak Up for Your HCBS Services Today!


The American Network of Community Options & Resources (ANCOR) is spearheading an advocacy effort to advance the Better Care Better Jobs Act in the U.S Congress. If enacted, the legislation will invest well needed funding into states' HCBS programs including the workforce.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO ADVOCATE FOR
THE BETTER CARE BETTER JOBS ACT

The Ask: Use our action tool to tell your members of Congress to support the Better Care Better Jobs Act by signing on as co-sponsors.

Why It Matters: This legislation is a clear sign that both Congress and the Biden administration are seriously exploring ways to remedy the direct support professional (DSP) workforce crisis. It proposes historic investments to transform and expand the HCBS program, strengthen the DSP workforce, pay ANCOR members sufficient Medicaid reimbursement rates, and improve outcomes for people with disabilities. It is the result of decades of advocacy from disability champions like yourself and creates an unprecedented opportunity to build up an essential disability program. And the timing couldn’t be better—with the DSP workforce facing more recruitment challenges than ever and the disability community still recovering from the pandemic, this legislation is sorely needed.

Please share our action alert with your networks and speak up on this important issue today!

06/17/2021

We are happy to announce Mark Keegan as our newest member of the CCDS Board of Directors. Mark is a former employee holding roles as Quality Assurance Director, Associate Executive Director and Interim Executive Director. Mark has lead the way in our Person Centered Excellence Journey and is invested in our mission. He is compassionate for the utmost quality of care and rights for persons with I/DD and the workforce. Mark will bring an invaluable perspective and support to all of us in this new role.

We are happy to announce Mark Keegan as our newest member of the CCDS Board of Directors. Mark is a former employee holding roles as Quality Assurance Director, Associate Executive Director and Interim Executive Director. Mark has lead the way in our Person Centered Excellence Journey and is invested in our mission. He is compassionate for the utmost quality of care and rights for persons with I/DD and the workforce. Mark will bring an invaluable perspective and support to all of us in this new role.

05/08/2021

For every kind gesture, questions answered by worried individuals and loved ones - to the countless hours dedicated to giving support and care... we appreciate you all so much!

Happy Nurses Week to our amazing Nursing Staff! Thank you for all you do, each and every day.

For every kind gesture, questions answered by worried individuals and loved ones - to the countless hours dedicated to giving support and care... we appreciate you all so much!

Happy Nurses Week to our amazing Nursing Staff! Thank you for all you do, each and every day.

04/28/2021

Today, we had the pleasure to virtually recognize and honor those who share their hearts, with the hearts of others.

In 2020, our agency had 31 employees who reached an anniversary milestone. These milestones ranged from 5 to 30 years of employment!

CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for all you do, each and every day. We are very fortunate to have dedicated employees like you, on our team!!

Today, we had the pleasure to virtually recognize and honor those who share their hearts, with the hearts of others.

In 2020, our agency had 31 employees who reached an anniversary milestone. These milestones ranged from 5 to 30 years of employment!

CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for all you do, each and every day. We are very fortunate to have dedicated employees like you, on our team!!

04/19/2021

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Michelle Shord! Michelle has been with CCDS for over 7 years and is a Community Supports Professional. Thank you for all you do Michelle. We are grateful to have you on our team 😃

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Michelle Shord! Michelle has been with CCDS for over 7 years and is a Community Supports Professional. Thank you for all you do Michelle. We are grateful to have you on our team 😃

04/01/2021

With Easter around the corner, we want to give a big shout out to the Hargrave Family for donating Easter Baskets to Catholic Charities Disabilities Services! These baskets will be going to kids within our CCDS family!

We 'hop' everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

With Easter around the corner, we want to give a big shout out to the Hargrave Family for donating Easter Baskets to Catholic Charities Disabilities Services! These baskets will be going to kids within our CCDS family!

We 'hop' everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

04/01/2021

We are excited to welcome our new Nurse Manager, Anita Tripp! Anita currently holds a Bachelors in Nursing and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Executive Nursing and Leadership. Anita has experience working with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and in the Behavioral Health field.

We look forward to her positive and caring leadership in her new role!

We are excited to welcome our new Nurse Manager, Anita Tripp! Anita currently holds a Bachelors in Nursing and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Executive Nursing and Leadership. Anita has experience working with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and in the Behavioral Health field.

We look forward to her positive and caring leadership in her new role!

03/31/2021

With National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month coming to a close we want to express how thankful we are. We are truly blessed to work with such amazing and dedicated individuals on a daily basis. From our entire staff to every client we serve, thank you for enriching our lives everyday. #CaringBeyondBelief

03/29/2021

Starting soon! Please feel welcome to stop by, pick up some food for yourself or a neighbor and say hello to our friendly volunteers:

There will be a Drive-Thru Pantry at Metropolitan Church in Albany on Monday, March 29 beginning at 9:30am, in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. Please stop by if you need groceries. To see the list of upcoming dates visit https://regionalfoodbank.net/drive-thru-pantry-schedule/.

03/25/2021

"Catholic Charities Disabilities Services would like to celebrate all the talents, aspirations, and empowerment of all persons with disabilities. In the month of March, we bring awareness to our communities in that people with disabilities are like you and I, they bring diversity to our society." -CCDS Leadership Team

03/24/2021

There is still time to register! Come join us this Friday either from 10am-11am or 12pm-1pm for our Direct Support Professional informational sessions via Zoom! We are currently hiring full-time and part-time DSP's in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Niskayuna, and Clifton Park.

Email [email protected] which time works for you and we will send you the Zoom link. Hope to see you there!

There is still time to register! Come join us this Friday either from 10am-11am or 12pm-1pm for our Direct Support Professional informational sessions via Zoom! We are currently hiring full-time and part-time DSP's in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Niskayuna, and Clifton Park.

Email [email protected] which time works for you and we will send you the Zoom link. Hope to see you there!

03/23/2021

We are happy to share that Maria Vigorito-Lopez, has been selected as the new Associate Executive Director for Catholic Charities Disabilities Services!

Maria has over 20 years’ experience in the I/DD field with the majority of those years being in the role of an Administrator. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Marist College, is a certified OPWDD Investigator, and a SCIP instructor. Prior to this new role, Maria held the position as Director of Residential Services here at CCDS. Maria has great dedication in improving the lives of people with I/DD and creating a supportive and healthy agency culture. We look forward to Maria’s servant leadership in this new role as we continue to move the agency mission forward!

Congratulations to Maria on her new role!

We are happy to share that Maria Vigorito-Lopez, has been selected as the new Associate Executive Director for Catholic Charities Disabilities Services!

Maria has over 20 years’ experience in the I/DD field with the majority of those years being in the role of an Administrator. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Marist College, is a certified OPWDD Investigator, and a SCIP instructor. Prior to this new role, Maria held the position as Director of Residential Services here at CCDS. Maria has great dedication in improving the lives of people with I/DD and creating a supportive and healthy agency culture. We look forward to Maria’s servant leadership in this new role as we continue to move the agency mission forward!

Congratulations to Maria on her new role!

03/18/2021

Interested in learning more about our Direct Support Professional position? Join us for 1 of the 4 Zoom informational sessions listed on the flyer below! During these group Zoom sessions, we will discuss details regarding what our DSP position entails and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you!

Catholic Charities Disabilities Services is currently hiring for part-time and full-time staff to work with people with developmental disabilities across the Capital District in our Residential programs.

Interested in learning more about our Direct Support Professional position? Join us for 1 of the 4 Zoom informational sessions listed on the flyer below! During these group Zoom sessions, we will discuss details regarding what our DSP position entails and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you!

Catholic Charities Disabilities Services is currently hiring for part-time and full-time staff to work with people with developmental disabilities across the Capital District in our Residential programs.

03/17/2021

“May your day be touched by a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart, and warmed by the smiles of the people you love.” We sure are lucky for the individuals we support and all our employees! Happy St. Patrick’s Day🍀

“May your day be touched by a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart, and warmed by the smiles of the people you love.” We sure are lucky for the individuals we support and all our employees! Happy St. Patrick’s Day🍀

03/15/2021

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Kathryn Bleyman! Kathryn has been with CCDS just over 2 years and is a Registered Nurse. Thank you for stepping up during these hard times and keeping things running! We are very lucky to have you on our nursing team!

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Kathryn Bleyman! Kathryn has been with CCDS just over 2 years and is a Registered Nurse. Thank you for stepping up during these hard times and keeping things running! We are very lucky to have you on our nursing team!

03/11/2021

Did You Know? March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This month, we're celebrating all of the significant contributions our neighbors with disabilities make in our community everyday. Here at Catholic Charities Disabilities Services, we proudly serve people with disabilities regardless of race, creed, or lifestyle -- like John Rice and David Osgood, pictured here!

Did You Know? March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This month, we're celebrating all of the significant contributions our neighbors with disabilities make in our community everyday. Here at Catholic Charities Disabilities Services, we proudly serve people with disabilities regardless of race, creed, or lifestyle -- like John Rice and David Osgood, pictured here!

03/04/2021

“ When you’re a Nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours. “

Today we honored Susan LeMorta and presented her with a plaque, for her 18 years of dedicated service to the individuals we support.

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts Nurse Sue! We truly appreciate your loyal service and friendship to CCDS. We wish you the best!! Congratulations and enjoy your retirement 🥳

Pictured from left to right: Maria Vigorito-Lopez (Director of Residential Services), Susan LeMorta, Paula Jubic (Executive Director) and Peggy Maliski (Director of Quality Assurance)

02/19/2021

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Paula Jubic, as the new Executive Director of Catholic Charities Disabilities Services!

Paula ​has been working for CCDS for over 13 years, starting as a Service Coordinator and has worked her way up in the agency, serving in progressively responsible positions. Prior to this new role, Paula has held the position of Associate Executive Director of Programs. Paula is a graduate of Purdue University earning a Master of Public Administration Degree. She also holds a BA Degree in Psychology from University at Albany and an AAS Degree in Business Administration from Hudson Valley Community College. Paula is well respected by staff and her colleagues in the field, and works hard in supporting the Catholic Charities mission.

Congratulations to Paula on her new role!

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Paula Jubic, as the new Executive Director of Catholic Charities Disabilities Services!

Paula ​has been working for CCDS for over 13 years, starting as a Service Coordinator and has worked her way up in the agency, serving in progressively responsible positions. Prior to this new role, Paula has held the position of Associate Executive Director of Programs. Paula is a graduate of Purdue University earning a Master of Public Administration Degree. She also holds a BA Degree in Psychology from University at Albany and an AAS Degree in Business Administration from Hudson Valley Community College. Paula is well respected by staff and her colleagues in the field, and works hard in supporting the Catholic Charities mission.

Congratulations to Paula on her new role!

01/26/2021

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Marcia Smaldone! Marcia has been with CCDS for over 25 years and works as a Direct Support Professional. Wow! We appreciate your longevity and enthusiasm all these years, Marcia!

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Marcia Smaldone! Marcia has been with CCDS for over 25 years and works as a Direct Support Professional. Wow! We appreciate your longevity and enthusiasm all these years, Marcia!

01/04/2021

www.ccdservices.org

At the end of each year, CCDS conducts a survey to reflect upon the prior year's feedback on Individual and Family Services. We are ecstatic about our results for 2019, and we strive to continue to improve our services each day. Click the link below to check out the results!

https://www.ccdservices.org/images/stories/Documents/2019_One_Page_Summary_Annual_Survey.pdf

01/04/2021

Catholic Charities Disabilities Services's cover photo

12/31/2020

Happy New Years Eve! May this new year bring happiness and strength to everyone. CCDS is wishing you all the best in 2021! ✨

12/23/2020

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Waseem Shahzad! Waseem has been with CCDS for over 7 years and works as a Direct Support Professional. Waseem has been a great asset to our Residential team!

12/23/2020

As this year is coming to an end, we are truly thankful to finish it on a positive note. Thank you to all of the people that were able to help over 100 families this year by donating gifts, providing gift cards, or even a meal to share. Also, a big shout out to our ICS Team for coordinating our Holiday Giving Program each year. We would not be able to make this happen without you!!

12/16/2020

In appreciation of their longevity and dedication, we recognized several of our employees during a virtual anniversary celebration today. We cherish their commitment to the individuals each and everyday. Thank you!!

12/04/2020

Check out our Employee Spotlight for Mary Hofmann! Mary has been with CCDS for just over a year and works as a Self-Directed Support Professional. Thank you Mary, we are so happy to have you on our Community Supports team!

11/25/2020

What are you grateful for? We are grateful for all our wonderful staff who all remained committed to our mission of serving our residents and individuals in the community.

With warm appreciation, CCDS wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

11/25/2020

We are beyond grateful for all the donations we have received so far for our Holiday Giving Program! There are still some families and individuals that are in need of some donations. If you or someone you know is interested in donating, please contact Jamie Daniels or Ellyn Horning at 518-783-1111. Thank you to all the amazing people that have donated already!

11/24/2020

Catholic Charities Disabilities Services's cover photo