New Exec. Director At Community Living Corporation

Ms. Amy Berman of Norwalk, Connecticut is named the new Executive Director of the Community Living Corporation (CLC) (www.clcgroup.org), headquartered in the Radio Circle Industrial Park of Mount Kisco. Ms. Berman oversees the non-profit organization which operates forty residential facilities. Under the auspices of OPWDD, the organization provides a variety of supports and services for some 2500 people with developmental disabilities and autism, and their families. CLC employs nearly 450 employees and has an annual budget of approximately $25M.

Prior to the CLC post, Ms. Berman had been at the Advocates For The Disabled (an affiliated CLC Medicaid Service Coordination agency). She started there in 2004, moving into the Executive Director position in 2016. She had served as the Chair of the Incident Review Committee, participated in the Therapeutic Milieu Committee, and provided individual psychotherapy as a consultant.

Ms. Berman earned a Bachelor's Degree (Sociology) from Curry College (MA), and her Master's Degree (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) from Lesley College (MA).

Ms. Berman describes: "Covid has meant severe difficulties for CLC employees the people we serve. Agencies in the field have had to navigate regulations, restrictions, and considerations of public health policy. CLC quickly mobilized to vaccinate as many staff and individuals as possible. CLC’s employees are essential workers, who have been devoted during the Public Health Emergency."

Ms. Berman explains: "I am focused on filling 58 vacancies ---there is a workforce shortage across the sector. NYS continues to transition OPWDD towards readiness for the managed care approach which will define the future of service delivery. It remains to be seen how the Governor and the Legislature will address the pressure of a growing population and current waiting list for services in this community."

John Porcella, Ph.D., CLC's former Executive Director for many years, has transitioned to CEO. Dr. Porcella oversees all of the affiliates connected to the CLC Group. This includes: the CLC Supplemental Needs Pooled Trusts and Surplus Income Trusts, the CLC Foundation, CLC Transportation, Inc., ADI Cares, Hidden Treasures, Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center, and the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York.

The Community Living Corporation was established 34 years ago by John Signorelli, John Porcella and Roger Cooper. Together with several concerned parents, they wanted to create person-centered residential facilities for adults living with intellectual disabilities, in Westchester County. They developed an innovative behavioral mental health model, day habilitation, and recreational programs which have become vital to CLC's community.

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