The Center For Developmental Disabilities

October 2025

Diana Scotto-Serafin

Assistant Director of Adult Day Services

Diana Scotto-Serafin has been a Center employee since November 2006. Jane Reich, Director of Adult Day and Employment Services, nominated Diana and had this to say about Diana: “The Center has benefited from Diana’s hard work and leadership for the past 19 years. Throughout her tenure at the Center, Diana has consistently gone above and beyond her job responsibilities, doing so with a positive attitude and an attentive ear for all who need it. She maintains high standards for herself, her staff, and her programs. She has consistently demonstrated a positive orientation towards change and is always willing to take on added responsibilities to help the Center. Whether it was mentoring new Assistant Directors and Supervisors, covering all the day had programs while her peer was out on an extended maternity leave twice, or jumping in with both feet to help develop and open new services. Diana has always met these challenges with skill and fortitude. As a result, her programs are well run, meet their goals, and achieve excellent audit results. Her staff is well trained, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide the support and services required. The people who participate in her programs are engaged, have opportunities for personal growth, benefit from and enjoy their time at their program. Diana has embodied OPWDD’s core principles of Putting People First, Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships, Demonstrating Professionalism, Supporting Good Health, Supporting Safety, Having a Home, and Being Active and Productive in Society throughout her career. Modeling and actualizing these principles way before they became the guiding principles for OPWDD. She is a professional whose integrity, resilience, and respect for all have helped to shape the Center in positive and sustaining ways. Diana has been a steadying force throughout her time here at the Center. It is for these reasons and so much more that I nominate Diana for Employee of the Month. We are lucky to have her."

Congratulations and thank you, Diana for all you do!

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September 2025

Marie Frederic

Direct Support Professional (DSP), Adult Residential Services

Marie was hired as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for our Seaford House in February 2005.

Janet Richards, Residential Manager of Seaford, nominated Marie for Employee of the Month. Janet said, “Marie is an incredibly hard-working individual. She has a keen eye for details and is always advocating for our individuals, ensuring their needs are met. Her commitment to going above and beyond is truly inspiring. Her positive attitude and willingness to assist whenever needed make her an invaluable part of our team. She embodies the values of our organization, and I believe she’s deserving of this recognition. “

Sanmi Fadugba, Assistant Director of Adult Residential Services, had this to say about, “Marie has been a solid and dedicated staff member for the Center and Seaford team for more than twenty years. Few of her outstanding contributions to the lives of our individuals is her ability of putting the individuals first regardless of the situation. Marie will make sure they're well taken care of. She is very much involved in making sure that they go on recreation when Marie is on recreation with you, you don't need any GPS she knows many places in Long Island. Marie is very knowledgeable about the individuals and their unique personalities. She advocates well for our individuals on outings, urgent care visits and whenever she’s assigned to go to ER.”

Congratulations and thank you, Marie for all you do!

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August 2025

Clarissa Eddins

Job Coach

Clarissa Eddins was hired as an Activities Coach in December, 1993. She was promoted to Job Coach in October, 2022.

Jane Reich, Director of Adult Day and Employment Services, nominated Clarissa.

Jane said this: "Clarissa has worked with the Center for over 31 years. No matter which position or department she has worked with she has always shown herself to be a person of strong personal integrity who embodies the Core Principles of Putting People First, Building Positive Relationships, Creating Meaningful Communication, and Demonstrating Professionalism. As noted by her Supervisor, David Murray, "Clarissa possesses an intangible quality that cannot be feigned nor created in an employee through training or supervision; she genuinely cares and connects with the individuals we support. She has spent her professional life supporting, advocating, and encouraging individuals with special needs, and her experiences and knowledge prove to be invaluable to both those ewe support and the VSS TEAM. Her positive approach, effort, flexibility, and accountability benefit the work we do each day."

Clarissa has consistently demonstrated the following qualities:

She is inquisitive and will proactively seek information.
She is a vocal advocate and addresses issues with colleagues, coworkers, and employees professionally and discreetly.
She communicates regularly with her peers and management in support of the people she supports.
She utilizes a variety of approaches based on the individual she is supporting to create meaningful communication.
She is intuitively skilled at facilitating appropriate interactions and creating an atmosphere conducive to socialization.
She is supportive of her coworkers and managers.
She is reliable, trustworthy, and always puts her best foot forward.

Clarissa is a long standing employee who is a valued and respected member of our VSS Team. She is truly deserving of this recognition.

Congratulations and thank you, Clarissa for all you do!

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January 2025

Michele Keena

Nurse, West Rogues Path and Chester Hill IRAs

Since starting at The Center, Michele Keena has shown us what an incredibly kind, compassionate, and dedicated nurse that she is. As a new nurse to the field, she quickly grew into her role as a strong advocate, care taker, and important member of our team. Michele is exactly the kind of nurse that we look for at The Center and that the people we support deserve. Her dedication and positivity is inspiring and she truly makes a difference here. She has gone above and beyond to build meaningful relationships with all of her patients, their families, and her colleagues at both Chester Hill and West Rogues. I always hear wonderful compliments about how caring Michele is from members of our team and that she treats every individual with respect, empathy, patience, and genuine care. She is an incredible asset to our agency and an even better nurse to the people she supports.

Congratulations Michele -- well deserved!