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Training new direct support professionals sionals,” Brad Slepian, Nassau BOCES Adult Education supervisor, said. “We are excited to East Meadow-based EPIC partner with EPIC LI to bring Long Island has teamed up this training to our students. with Nassau BOCES Adult These professionals will ultiEducation to launch a new mately assist people in realiztraining program aimed at bol- ing their full potential and help them become integrated and stering the next generation of engaged in their certified direct supcommunity.” port professionals, EPIC Long who care for indiIsland, part of the viduals with intelE P I C Fa m i ly o f lectual and developHuman Service mental disabilities. Agencies, operates Direct support a day habilitation professionals, or prog ram in East DSPs, play a vital Meadow, 18 group role in assisting homes across Naspeople with a varisau and S uf fol k ety of needs, from counties, and clinitransportation and c a l s e r v i c e s fo r personal care to BRAD SlEPiAN children and adults individualized sup- Nassau BOCES Adult with developmental port, cooking and Education supervisor disabilities. cleaning, program Nassau BOCES organizers said in a press release shared with the provides programs for learners Herald. The new prog ram, of all ages and abilities while beginning this fall at Nassau offering cost-effective services BOCES Career and Technical for school districts and municiEducation Center in Westbury, palities. Its programs range will be open to adults 18 and from alternative and special education to career and techniolder. “With direct suppor t in cal training, adult education healthcare being one of the big- and professional development, gest industries on Long Island, supporting teaching and learnthere is a need for these profesContinued on page 13
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
Courtesy East Meadow School District
East Meadow kicks off new academic year East Meadow students are back in school, ready for a new year of learning, growth and educational opportunities. Above, kindergarteners at George McVey Elementary School were eager to begin their journeys in East Meadow schools. Story, more photos, Page 10.
From E.M. to entrepreneurship, Chris Capuano shares his story By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
East Meadow native Chris Capuano faced his fair share of challenges throughout his youth — but he’s turned those struggles into the heart of his recently released memoir, “No Ceiling, No Excuses,” charting the turbulent childhood, hurdles he overcame and the lessons that have fueled his business success. Capuano, 35, divides his memoir into three sections. He begins by recounting his childhood with an alcoholic mother and her partner’s drug addiction, along with other early hardships. The narrative moves into the many jobs he held in early adulthood, before culminating in Capua-
no’s realization that true success would come only from building something of his own. “You can’t work for someone else to make your own dreams a reality,” he said. “You have to work for yourself and control your own destiny. That’s where I came up with the whole title of ‘No Ceiling, No Excuses.’ Everyone looks for excuses — reasons to not be able to do something. And my whole point to this book is if I was raised in this horrible, crazy, chaotic childhood and I bust through the noise, you can too.” A graduate of East Meadow High School, Capuano comes from a family deeply rooted in the community — his parents, Jimmy and Diane, and his brother, also named Jimmy, all grew up Continued on page 18
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hese professionals will ultimately assist people in realizing their full potential.