Dave Cunningham – New leadership at ... - NAFI Connecticut

From the Executive Director…
A Fond Farewell…
It is with mixed emotions that I write this
as my last Executive Director letter to all of
you here in CT. As most of you know I will
be leaving CT to return to my position as
Chief Operating Officer for NAFI/NFI at
the end of this month. As I have expressed
to many of you, I have cherished our time
together and am so proud of the numerous
accomplishments that we have achieved collectively.
I am especially touched by the ongoing
contributions that each of you makes
that have so positively affected our youth,
adults and families across the State.
I am also excited and honored to
welcome Lynn Bishop into her new role
as NAFI CT’s Executive Director. Lynn
has worked for NAFI for eighteen years in
numerous positions and has held the position
of Assistant Executive Director for the
past eight years. She has been an integral
leader throughout the growth and development
of NAFI CT and she will continue to
provide vision and passion within her new
role. Her wealth of experience and knowledge
will ensure a successful future for the
organization, employees and consumers
alike. Please join me in congratulating Lynn
on a well-deserved promotion.
Although I will not see you every week,
I promise to stay connected and visit often.
Thank you for an unforgettable seven years.
Creating diverse and innovative services for people
Congratulations and welcome to David
Cunningham, Program Director at our
Touchstone Residential Treatment Facility!
Although not new to NAFI, as he has
worked in various capacities in seven different
states with the larger organization over
the past fifteen years, he has been a CT constant
since the beginning of this new year.
Just prior to transferring to CT, he served
as the Assistant Program Director for a 30
bed co-ed residential treatment program in
Rhode Island.
Dave is an avid hiker and advocate of
continued on page 5
m a r c h 2 0 1 2 | V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 1
NAFI CT Board of Directors:
A Change in Leadership
Jim Isenberg, NAFI CT’s Board President for the past five years, has
been a tremendous asset and tireless advocate for NAFI CT. He has
opened many doors and presented numerous opportunities for development
and we are grateful for all his efforts. Jim’s role within the NAFI/
NFI organization continues to expand and thus he will be passing on
the role of Board President to Andy Quinn.
Andy joined the board of NAFI CT five years ago, and has become
an advocate and huge support to NAFI CT. Previously, Andy has served
as a youth Board Member of the Torrington YMCA, the President of
the School Board of St. Francis School, as well as serving on various
community organizations. Married to his high school sweetheart Amy,
they have raised three boys, including the youngest who is currently
attending Hampshire College. Actively involved in online education,
Dave Cunningham –
New leadership at Touchstone
Andy Quinn, new
NAFI CT Board
President
Andy is Chief Operating Officer of QuickCompliance, a nationwide provider of compliance
and medical education and has also co-founded frendo, a company that provides free online
donations for non-profits.
Please take a moment to thank Jim Isenberg for his dedication and years of service as NAFI
CT’s Board President and welcome Andy Quinn to this new role.
Dave Cunningham, veteran NAFI employee
and new Touchstone Program Director

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Stepping Stone and Touchstone’s
Community Retreat
“Growing as leaders by
removing barriers to
be what we’ve always
been” was the mission
statement agreed upon
by this group of staff
and residents for a
weekend of challenging
team building and
personal insight.
During a weekend in December, fifteen girls
and ten staff from the Stepping Stone and
Touchstone programs volunteered to take
part in a leadership retreat that challenged
them in many ways, but especially to push
themselves to expand their personal leadership
capabilities.
The group began their journey by selecting
a rock that represented a burden that
most had carried with them in their life.
Some of the burdens that were shared were
“I don’t feel pretty like my sister,” “I like
to drink and use drugs as a coping mechanism”
and “I take my family for granted.”
Symbolic of how these burdens weigh on
us, the team carried the rocks with them all
weekend.
The “Wandering Child” activity, the
group armed with only a compass and a
map, challenged the group to get to their
destination. The team struggled with finding
their way through the woods on unmarked
trails. Similar to their personal journeys in
life, many challenges presented themselves
that led to discoveries like “An important
part of it is to never give up until you are
where you want to be”—and the girls and
staff did just that: they didn’t give up and
overcame many obstacles along their way to
reach their goal.
After a weekend of challenges, selfdiscovery
and relationship building, both
teams returned to their programs exhausted
but excited about the new possibilities that
would lie ahead.
The closing ceremony back at the program
involved giving up the burdens identified
and carried throughout the weekend.
As each member committed to giving up
that burden, they placed their rock on in a
pile, collectively building a CAIRN (a trail
marker so that others can find their way).
The CAIRN represents that their burdens
can be a beacon of direction and hope for
other community members now and in the
future.

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Employees of the Quarter
Chris Lamy
Chris Lamy, Touchstone has been awarded
NAFI CT’s Employee of the Quarter. Chris
leads our maintenance department; however
he has more in his tool belt, than a hammer
and nails. He has commitment, compassion
and a dose of teaching which has made him
an active member of our program in many
different ways.
Although he does an outstanding job
keeping up with the physical plant, it is
Chris’ willingness to engage the residents that
makes him an exceptional employee. Chris
works side by side with girls to teach them
the importance and the skills of maintaining
a safe and pleasant environment. He attends
community meetings to work with the girls
on building issues and listens to their concerns
and has even taken the initiative to plan
a woodworking class in the evening.
Recently, Chris has spearheaded a large
project along with Stepping Stone staff who
are converting an under-utilized program
space into a clubhouse for the girls to unwind
and relax. Chris has taken ownership of this
Extreme Makeover with enthusiasm and a
skillful eye. Chris Lamy embodies the characteristics
of the Employee of the Quarter
as he takes personal ownership of his daily
responsibilities and takes the initiative to
make Touchstone a better program.
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Please congratulate the following Employees of the Quarter for their outstanding work and dedication!
Chris Lamy, Touchstone, is an Employee
of the Quarter
Selina Diotaiuto, Group Home Nurse, is an
Employee of the Quarter
Selina Diotaiuto
Selina Diotaiuto, Dover and Tress Road
Group Homes nurse, has been selected as
Employee of the Quarter. Since starting as
the program nurse in September, Selina has
jumped into her new role with energy and
enthusiasm. Since she walked in the door,
she has met every challenge sent her way.
In the months since, Selina has worked
tirelessly to make sure that the med rooms
at both programs are efficient and functioning
smoothly. She is an outstanding
communicator, ensuring that staff are aware
of upcoming medical appointments and any
changes to residents’ medications.
Selina took the lead on updating our
Medical Policy and Procedure manual
where she utilized her knowledge and skills
in implementing additional policies for
enhanced medical services for the residents.
In the absence of another group home
nurse, she restructured her schedule so that
she could support those programs without
hesitation. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm
have affected all the group homes in a
very positive way.
Selina is always available to answer
questions and is eager to improve the
functioning of all the medical services.
Selina is a valuable member of the Dover
and Tress teams and a wonderful part of the
NAFI CT family.
Debbie McNamee, LPN from the I.S program
in Meriden, is our Employee of the Quarter.
Debbie McNamee
Debbie McNamee, LPN from the I.S
program in Meriden has been selected as
Employee of the Quarter. Debbie continues
to model the NAFI Normative Approach
on a daily basis. She puts her consumer’s
needs before her own and is willing to help
everyone. She is always the first person on
shift and the last to leave. She ensures that
communication is always flowing as she does
not want anything to be missed as it would
negatively affect the program.
Debbie has taken a leadership role at
the program and supports staff and clients
alike in facing the difficulties of change. She
has consistently been a positive presence,
encouraging others and helping to train new
staff as her commitment is evident. She is
dedicated to our clients and is has been a
constant and stabilizing support within the
IS program. Debbie may be a quiet person,
but has a loud presence in the program.
Thank you Debbie!

Employee of the Quarter, Haydee Raggi,
from YES! Program
Haydee Raggi
Haydee Raggi, Employee of the Quarter,
began her journey with NAFI two years
ago as the sole Center-based Clinician for
the YES! Program located in Willimantic.
Haydee assumed vast responsibility in this
role, always bringing the best part of her
forward with a smiling face and contagious
energy. Haydee has contributed tremendously
to the initial development and expansion
of the program. She holds the importance
of teamwork in high regard always
offering support, whether with the Summer
Youth Employment Program, navigating
EVOLVE, managing crises, the list continues.
This is recognizable as it is the contribution
that Haydee has made to earning
optimal CDCS data accuracy and timeliness
for the second consecutive year! She was
awarded the CSSD Quality Assurance recognition
for Outstanding Client Engagement.
Haydee received the highest scores in the
state for this client satisfaction survey. Her
warm, caring and genuine spirit is recognizable
and she is well deserving of this award.
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Filling the “Empty Bowl”
A collaboration between End Hunger CT and NAFI CT
Our Mission
NAFI CT helping those in
need with Deputy Director
Dawn Crayco from End
Hunger Connecticut!, Inc.
End Hunger
Connecticut!, Inc.
goal: to eliminate hunger in
the state through legislative
and administrative advocacy, outreach and
public education. www.endhungerct.org/
Empty Bowls Project Leaders:
Lucille Gomes, Stepping Stone School
Art Teacher
Jacob Irwin, Culinary Vocational Teacher at
Touchstone and Stepping Stone Schools
Sherry Zaslow, Touchstone School Special
Education Teacher/Art Teacher
Just one example of the fine, hand-crafted
bowls made by the NAFI CT Community
Many hands
Dave Cunningham / Touchstone, continued from page 1
Touchstone, Stepping Stone, the NAFI CT
regional team, and all of our NAFI CT
program directors handcrafted clay bowls.
Communities coming together
• Our Empty Bowls Luncheon and
fund raising event was held on December
13, 2011.
• In attendance: Dr. Bakal, Jim Isenberg,
Hildy Paris, Lynn Bishop, Arlene Camarca,
NAFI CT regional team, NAFI CT Board
Members, and Touchstone and Stepping
Stone communities.
United to End hunger
• Stepping Stone School culinary students
made scrumptious homemade soups and
salads for all to enjoy. Art items created by
Touchstone and Stepping Stone students
were part of a raffle event during the
luncheon.
• Our lunch guests bought our handcrafted
bowls to support this worthwhile cause.
One bowl at a time
NAFI CT raised $1,033 to help end
hunger–one bowl at a time. All proceeds to
End Hunger Connecticut!, Inc.
experiential education, using the wilderness as the median for self-discovery. He successfully
owned and operated his own company, Cairn Adventures, for many years, leading outdoor
adventure and team building trips for hundreds of youth and staff.
During the early 1990’s, Dave earned the right to join a distinguished group of people who
hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, which expands from Georgia to Maine. The entire 2,000
mile trip, took nearly 6 months to complete. When asked to mention a memorable point of
this trip, he talked about the one and only time that he thought about quitting and that he just
happened to be in Connecticut when he wanted to call it quits. However, being the committed
and determined person that Dave is, he kept moving forward to accomplish a life-long dream.
Dave has a strong commitment and belief in family values, for himself, our youth and families
and for our staff. His passion is building communities within our programs and into our
surrounding communities.
There are many things in his life that he is proud of, but is especially proud of his children
and the joy that they bring to his life. His oldest son is currently serving our Country and will
be departing for Afghanistan in the near future.

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Mayor’s Award Presented to
NAFI CT’s Antonio Eason
Antonio was recognized by the Mayor of West Haven, Mr. John M. Picard for his continuous
volunteerism on behalf of the families served through the West Haven Interagency Network
for Children. His generosity and dedication to helping others is truly inspirational.
Congratulations Antonio!
Antonio Eason receiving his award from Mayor Mr. John M. Picard of West Haven
Golf Tournament
Save the date!
May 31, 2012
NAFI CT’s 7th Annual Golf Classic will be held at
Lyman Orchards Golf Club May 31. We will return to
the Jones Course this year with a 10:00 a.m. Tee time.
The cost will remain at $150 and includes lunch and
dinner. If you are interested in playing golf, sponsoring
a hole, or donating a raffle prize, contact Diana
Bennett at dianabennett@nafi.com.
Touchstone
Nurse is
Awarded
Healthcare
Hero Award
Deb Gundersen is among a select group
representing the best and brightest in the
health care field. Deb has been a healthcare
hero for adolescent girls at Touchstone for
15 years. Developing healing relationships
with each girl, she views each girl’s health
not only as the physical need but the holistic
need for learning to live healthy and happy
lives. Whether it be “Tea with Deb” to perk
your spirits or birthing a child with a young
mom, Deb provides comfort, confidence,
knowledge and care—all with a dose of
much needed humor. She fiercely advocates
to meet each girl’s individual needs within a
difficult system, but Deb is relentless. She is
relentless in her ability to take care of others,
fight for what is true and takes on her own
personal sense of responsibility for each girl
that walks through the doors of Touchstone.
Congratulations, Deb!
Deb Gundersen, NAFI CT’s Healthcare Hero

When we first met Juan, he
was living in and thriving at
NAFI Connecticut’s Dover
Road therapeutic group home.
NAFI had fully embraced the
Risking Connections model,
and Dover Road and Juan were
living proof. Through their
hard work, Juan had made
friends, had healthy relationships
with staff, was engaged
in school, and was working on
his relationships with his family.
For probably the first time
in his life, he belonged.
But systems are systems.
Despite all of his progress and
his potential, Juan was forced
to move—he was too old for
Dover Road. He was moving to our group
home— Connecticut Junior Republic’s
Winchester House.
Juan was now facing an important life
lesson, several in fact—things change, life is
filled with hellos and good-byes, and relationships
evolve whether we want them to
or not. And Juan did not want these changes
or life lessons.
How could we help Juan with this transition—honoring
all that was accomplished at
Dover Road and look toward the future?
It was impossible NOT to recognize the
intensity of the relationships he had forged
at Dover Road. It was important for us to
respect these connections in every way. Juan
wouldn’t have it any other way—these relationships
were his lifeblood, and he needed
us to see that. By validating and acknowledging
his bonds, we were able to start our
own tentative connection to Juan.
Dover Road staff were also hurting since
Juan was being forced to leave—making
them rightfully protective, and Juan rightfully
defensive. By acknowledging, accepting,
and complimenting their connection,
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A Truly Trauma-Informed Transition:
NAFI CT, CT Junior Republic and
Risking Connections ®
The STory of Juan
By Julianne Torrence, Connecticut Junior Republic
Dover Road Group Home helps youth transition out the program through community
celebrations and helping form new relationships for a successful future.
we all felt safer. Through that safety, we
were able to learn from the Dover Road staff
how to better engage with Juan. Martin, the
Program Director and John, the Clinician,
could not have been more collaborative or
graceful. Though clearly upset at the circumstances,
both put their feelings aside for
Juan. They worked with us as we tentatively
set about making our own connections.
Together, we scheduled several transition
visits—some at Dover Road, some at
Winchester House. We included as many
staff as we could—from both programs—in
the visits. While we worked to establish trust
and connection, we did not talk of termination,
but of evolution. Dover Road allowed
us the privilege of being part of each hello
and each goodbye. They integrated us into
Juan’s memory books, and we presented
him with housewarming presents of pictures
of his friends and staff at Dover Road.
The transition could not have been more
helpful—for any of us.
After Juan moved into Winchester
House, he stayed connected to Dover Road.
He called to check in with them, and they
called to check in on Juan. We
were all invited to functions
there, and we had several visits
at our home. Special occasions
were celebrated together, and
together we commiserated
around the setbacks. Through
the love and safety of new
and old relationships, Juan
was able to adjust—on his
schedule. It couldn’t have been
easy for Dover Road—after
all, they had a new boy to care
for with Juan gone. But they,
too, recognized the importance
of their relationships,
and did what was necessary to
maintain connection.
As time passed, that connection
changed. Juan grew more a part of
our program, and less a part of Dover Road.
The calls came less frequently, the visits
were more sporadic. But the connection
remained…
Juan has since moved on from our house.
We took everything we learned from our
transition with Dover Road and invested
it in his departure. We are forever grateful
to the staff of the Dover Road for their
expertise, their knowledge, their patience,
their generosity, and their care of Juan. We
learned from them and with them, and I
believe that both of our programs are the
better for it.
Risking Connection is the true heart of
all of our programs. We need to find ways
to integrate its principles and value into our
work everyday. The collaboration between
Winchester House and Dover Road is an
excellent example of such work. We all
risked connection, and many lives have been
changed as a result, my own included.

Happy NAFI Anniversary!
2nd quarter
One year
Jaime Barron
Babatude Salako
Meghan Douglas
Brandon Hall
Jaime Barrett
Ray Campbell
Heidi Gaber
Devin Maffett
Jean Van Bourgondien
Bethany Gallant
Christine DiGiacomo
Melissa Rodriguez
Brigit Lumley
Clifton Roberts
Pontien Moket
Nelly Lopez
Maria White
Sharde McGee
Elizabeth Mejia
Ebony Franklin
Juan Rios
Johnna Brown
Redinno Randell-Vaden
Two Years
Jackie Everson
Luis Mejia
Jill Braken
Kerry Singelton
Nicole Cyr
Jennifer Dionne
Jason Kersten
Kristin Collon
Monique Spinola
William Wieland
Jaime Haas
Three Years
Andrea Micalizzi
Tara Paine
Amanda Bergantino
Jose Cooney
Joshua Hauslaib
Jessica Gaffney
Sheila Bonnabeau
Four Years
Xiang Gao
Joesph Addae
Deborah McNamee
Ted Krystopa
Thomas Boateng
8 | i n s I d e N a f I c o n n e c t I c u t | f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2
Five Years
Brian Keyes
Alicia Thompkins
Timothy Conaway
Josh Fulton
Denise Wyrick
Nilda Lebron
Six Years
DJ Lemoine
Foster Oloyede
Alice Yappel
Kristin Hall
Retemar Robinson
Nicola Davis
Kathleen Marshall
Seven Years
Vernell Peggins-Russell
Miriam Estades-Serrano
Eight Years
Cathie Hillian
Melissa Niver
Eleven Years
Terri Malin
Fifteen Years
Donna Ferguson
Heather Kalin
Eighteen Years
Lynn Bishop
3rd quarter
One year
Christopher Everson
Anna Dagon
Sonia Heim
Kerel Tiggett
Kaleleak Miller
Kyle Erickson
Nana Boateng
Ileana Rodgriguez
Mark Biron
Jasmine Morales
Adebayo Gbadeham
Desiree Kosakowski
Timothy Benson
Alice Formeister
Two Years
Rome Riddick
Natasha Provancher
Nakia Gomes
Monroe Hall
Amber Schwarm
Martha Gaudreau
Terence Green
Yon Ordonez
Mark Taschereau
Devon Forbes
Angela McMinn
Caitlin Clancy
Laura Pazda
Three Years
Christine doCarmo
Benjamin Castiline
Christopher Martinelli
Rachel Lamas
Cherie Novay
Matthew Lyga
Ashley Walker
Domenico Russo
Four Years
Alexis Brown
Mascot Erharbor
Theresa Mete
Antonio Eason
Brandi Marshall
Five Years
Craig Schmitt
Ruth Cioffi
Collin Rennicks
Kaneisha Hill
Michelle Arline
Michelle Henderson
Christina Petrow
Ted Mayo
Six Years
John Bates
Jeff Conlon
Nell Smith
Ukamaka Ekekwe
This quarterly newsletter is published for the employees of NAFI CT. Please submit story ideas to Amy Lefebvre at AmyLefebvre@nafi.com or 860-284-1125 (f).
NAFI Connecticut, Inc.
20 Batterson Park Road, Suite 301
Farmington, CT 06032
Seven Years
Najee Rasheed
David Kelly
Erik Wolfgang-Pinto
Eight Years
Sundance Lennard
Nine Years
Ken Taylor
Ten Years
Doris Correa
Twelve Years
Kathleen Havens
Thirteen Years
Maryjane Mariano
Fourteen Years
Kristen Taylor
Fifteen Years
Deb Gundersen