The Outreach Report

Welcome to The Outreach Report monthly staff e-news!   

Save the Date! 

  • August 1: Check your agency email & complete Employee survey (takes only 5 minutes!) sent to you by Energage (see details below).
  • August 8: Annual Staff BBQ & Building Health Lives Awards, 12:00-3:00 pm at OH II

  • August 2025 Payroll Calendar
    August 8, August 22, & September 5
  • Upcoming Holidays
    • September 1: Labor Day Observed
  • Celebrations in August:
    • August is Intersectionality Awareness Month
    • August 7: Purple Heart Day
    • August 9: International Day of World’s Indigenous People
    • August 21: Paryushana
    • August 26: Women’s Equality Day
    • September 1: Labor Day observed
  • Free Professional Development Opportunities
    Are you interested in becoming a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)? If you live in any county in New York State, you can be eligible to receive a full scholarship for CASAC training through OTI. Scholarships are available for both the full 350-hour and 100-hour programs. Applications are now being accepted for the September and October 2025 entry points. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to advance your career. Learn more and apply today: https://opiny.org/casac-training

 

HR Corner

This new monthly feature from our HR team highlights important information all staff need to know.

Your Voice Matters: Complete Employee Survey Arriving in Your In-Box August 1!

At Outreach, we believe our greatest strength is you, our people, your dedication, passion, and talent drive everything we do. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive and empowering workplace, we are launching a completely anonymous 5-minute Employee Survey on Friday, August 1, 2025, in partnership with third-party provider Energage.

This survey is your opportunity to share honest feedback in a safe, secure way—because your voice matters. Your insights will help shape a more connected, inclusive, and effective organization where every team member feels heard, valued, and supported. The survey will be sent via email, and responses will be reviewed in aggregate to ensure complete anonymity. We strongly encourage everyone to participate—your feedback is essential to helping Outreach grow stronger, together. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Human Resources team.

Important Update: COVID-19 Leave Policy Expiring

In accordance with updated guidance from New York State, the COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law will officially expire on July 31, 2025. Beginning August 1, 2025, COVID-19-related absences will no longer qualify for the additional paid leave previously provided under this law. Moving forward, any time off related to COVID-19 must be taken using standard leave options, including New York State Paid Sick Leave (NYPSL), Paid Time Off (PTO), New York Paid Family Leave (NYPFL, if eligible), or Short-Term Disability (if medically certified).

Employees who test positive or experience symptoms must continue to notify both HR and their supervisor and follow all health and safety protocols before returning to work. We encourage all staff to stay home when feeling unwell, seek medical care when needed, and continue practicing preventive measures such as good hygiene, staying up to date on vaccinations, and following CDC, state, and local guidelines. If you have questions about your leave options or how this change may affect you, please contact the HR department.

Congratulations!

  • At OH II both Tiffany Cuellar and Sarah Triola passed their NCLEX RN examinations! This is a tremendous achievement, and we’re proud to see them advancing in their nursing careers.
  • Julie Weissman, House Manager at the Women’s Residential Program, recently passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination! Julie is on track to complete her supervised clinical experience this November and obtain her professional license, an exciting milestone in her career and a proud moment for the team.
  • Megan Ryan, Program Director of Bellport Outpatient Services, received an LMHC-D, a new credential that expands her ability to diagnose and support clients even more comprehensively.
  • Katia Andrade, Director of the REACT Center, earned her LCSW! This important professional milestone reflects her dedication to clinical excellence and her continued commitment to the individuals and families we serve.
  • Many recent achievements and exciting news from the Richmond Hill Outpatient Clinic and CCBHC! Congratulations to Assistant Director Eric Yagual, who also earned his LMHC-D, to Ora Nusbaum on obtaining her full license as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), and to Cedric Head for successfully passing his CRPA licensing exam! Kashmira Andre is expecting next month and the team recently celebrated with a small baby shower. We send Kashmira and her family our best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and birth!

  • CCBHC team members Ebony and Cedric with Senator Addabbo

  • Kashmira Andre’s baby shower at Richmond Hill

  • Mary Brite has been named Interim Chief Operating Officer. In this new role, Mary will oversee the day-to-day operations of Outreach’s programs, training initiatives, and service delivery systems assuring that we continue to provide the highest quality care to clients and their families while operating with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

  • David Vizzini has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Dave will now lead the strategic coordination of key administrative functions including Human Resources, Facilities Management, IT Services, Capital Projects, and overall agency operations. His steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge will be essential in maintaining our infrastructure and driving operational excellence.

  • Christal Montague now holds the title of Chief Strategy & Growth Officer. In addition to continuing her leadership of Fundraising, Development, and Communications, Christal will now head Outreach’s newly established Business Development department. Over the coming year, she will partner with Adina Kolatch of Adina Kolatch Consulting to build and scale this important function as we expand our reach and impact.

  • On June 27th, Outreach and Western Suffolk BOCES proudly celebrated the graduation of three students from Aspire Academy—the only recovery high school in New York State. After completing residential treatment at Outreach House II, these determined young people continued their journey at Aspire, showing remarkable resilience and strength. The ceremony was filled with pride and powerful moments, as family, friends, and staff gathered alongside John Venza and Suzanne Soganics from Outreach, Mike Flynn from Western Suffolk BOCES, Aspire’s Principal Mark Brunza, and dedicated team members from both organizations who supported the students every step of the way.

  • Members of the Richmond Hill CCBHC team represented Outreach at the grand opening of Unity FEC, a new preventive agency in the community. The event was well attended, with our team engaging more than 120 individuals. New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., who represents Richmond Hill and is a long-time friend and supporter of Outreach, was also in attendance and congratulated the team on their impactful work and efforts to build connections with a new community partner.
  • To read more about our staff and agency’s recent accomplishments, check out Outreach’s Summer 2025 Vision newsletter linked here

 

Welcome to New Employees Hired between June 15 and July 15, 2025

Destinee Artis, Outreach House II
Ramel L. Bethea, Outreach House I
Marietta Brodhurst, Outreach House I
Alan Joseph Cazaurang, Outreach Recovery Center
Victor Cruz, Brentwood Women’s Residential
Tyshawn Eason, Outreach House II
Agyei Andrew Forde, Outreach House II
Christina Marie Haubeil, Brentwood Women’s Residential
Victor Hodges, REACT Center
Jennifer Iglesias, Brentwood Islip Outpatient Services
Chester Johnson, Outreach House I
Aliyah Jones, Outreach House I
Stephanie A. Laureano, Brentwood Women’s Residential
Julie Laurence, Outreach Recovery Center
Stephen Diandre McGuire, Outreach House II
Emily Murray, Outreach House II
Christopher Nicholson, Outreach House II
Tasmia Parveen, Outreach House I
Susan Grace Perlina, Outreach House I
Marshashantel Rodriguez, Outreach House I
Jordan Schietinger, Outreach House I
Kendal Slaughter, Outreach House I
Destiny Smith, Outreach House I
Tysen White, Richmond Hill CCBHC

Best wishes to staff who celebrate Birthdays in June

Francisco Bejarano
Diane Mary Derenches
Ayanna Y. Dorsett
Freddie Vazquez-Rodriguez
Jillian Southall
Renee Ann Calabrese
Sarah Triola
Lindsey Denninger
Stephanie A. Laureano
Gabriella Panetta
Michael Judge
Nya Cort
Cathy Ahlgren
Christine Selario
Laura Hagmeyer
Dalvis Medrano
Gianella Guzman
Shownea Quarles
Asha Vereen
Gabriel Lopez
Agyei Andrew Forde
Leticia Rivera
Barbara Tierno
Kizzy Dinelle Springer
Nicole Sklavonitis
Davina Galindez
Jay Aquino
Yvonne Mann
Pawandeep Kaur
Joseph Trimarco
Cristine Contreras
Donna Bornfriend
Gail Raghubar
Delores Moore
Aquiles Mouthon Mouthon
Windy I. Goglas
Mohammad Rehman

Wellness Challenge: Where’s Your Happy Place? Extended to August!

We asked our team to share their summer happy places—whether it’s lounging in a backyard hammock, strolling a favorite walking path, soaking up the sun at a go-to beach spot, or catching a summer blockbuster in a blissfully air-conditioned theater. Below are just a few responses showing how our team likes to recharge.

Since many of you are still out enjoying summer, we’re extending the challenge for another month! There’s still time to submit and share your happy place—and the first 10 people to respond will win a prize!

Galit Shayo, Senior Director of Finance:

My summer happy place is on the beach with family and friends. The second picture is of an exercise class I do on the beach!

Ellen Barker, Vice President for Development and Communications:

My happy place is in my family’s garden. I get a tremendous sense of peace and satisfaction from being out there, weeding, planting and tending to our vegetables and flowers.

Correction to June 2025 Newsletter:

We sincerely apologize to Billing Specialist Rose Bacchus for not accurately reporting her key responsibilities in last month’s issue. Like her fellow team members, Rose plays a vital role in supporting Outreach’s billing operations. She ensures the accurate and timely submission of claims across multiple programs and payers, expertly manages both electronic and manual billing processes, posts payments, follows up on rejections and denials, and maintains detailed records to reduce errors and improve collections. In addition, Rose verifies insurance eligibility, trains staff, troubleshoots complex billing issues, and provides support to both clients and site managers. We thank Rose, along with her incredible teammates, for the essential work they do in advancing Outreach’s mission!