ABOUT US​
At ACME NY, helping individuals with developmental disabilities (I/DD), across New York State, fulfill their goals is our passion. We provide services since 2019 and have helped hundreds of families. Our team is compromised to support the growth and empowerment journey of every participant with love and respect.
OUR MISSION
At ACME NY, our mission is to provide compassionate, reliable, and high-quality support to individuals with developmental disabilities across New York State. We are committed to enhancing lives through tailored services that promote independence, dignity, and community inclusion.
WHO WE ARE
Founded by Human Resources expert Cynthia Alcozer, our team brings together experienced professionals dedicated to serving the OPWDD community. With a background in administrative support and a passion for advocacy, Cynthia built this agency to bridge the gap between care and quality contracting solutions.
We specialize in providing essential services such as:
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Start-Up and Support Brokerage
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Supported Decision Making
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Housing Navigation
WHAT IS ACME?
ACME means the highest point attained or attainable.
In Greek, acme meant a mountain peak.
WHY CHOOSE US?
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OPWDD-Compliant:
We follow all New York State regulations and Medicaid Waiver guidelines.
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Experienced Team:
Our staff is trained, certified, and background-checked.
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Community-Focused:
We believe in building lasting relationships with the individuals and families we serve.
ACME NY
We have confirmed that for many individuals, their Self-Direction Journey is the key to create a lifestyle they love, outside a comfort zone.
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For our team, it's not about writing a checkmark on a goals list; we seek the necessary resources for our individuals to reach their full potential in different areas of their lives.
Above all, we educate them and their families about their rights, opportunities, and the importance of their presence and contributions to our community.
OUR VALUES
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
We support individuals in achieving their highest independence potential.
COMMUNITY
Every individual deserves to know they belong, and to be treated with dignity.
MINDFUL
We operate with transparency and accountability, seeking the wellbeing of the individuals we serve.
EMPOWERMENT
We believe in the opportunities that allow people to become their best versions.
Cynthia Alcozer
Founder/Chief Executive Officer
NYS OPWDD Start Up Broker
NYS Housing Navigator Region 5
SDMNY Trained Facilitator
OUR TEAM
About the Founder
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The Founder of ACME NY, Cynthia Alcozer, brings over 35 years of experience in healthcare and disability services, with expertise in person-centered planning, legal frameworks, and funding strategies that safeguard rights and create opportunities. Her leadership in community initiatives and deep knowledge of future planning have helped countless families navigate complex systems with confidence.
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Cynthia actively serves on advisory boards and councils for Care Coordination Organizations and Financial Intermediaries, where she advocates for systemic improvements and policy changes that enhance the quality of services for individuals with disabilities. Her commitment to influencing policy reflects her passion for creating inclusive systems that promote independence and dignity.
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She is deeply dedicated to building pathways for autonomy and inclusion. Her work has positively impacted hundreds of families, and she continues to mentor new brokers—empowering them to become strong advocates and leaders in self-direction. Watching her team succeed fills her with pride; they are the heart of ACME NY’s mission.
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Outside of work, Cynthia finds balance through meditation, painting, journaling, yoga, and connecting with nature. These practices fuel her creativity and resilience, while time with her family keeps her grounded and reminds her why inclusion matters.
Natasha Salazar is a dedicated Human Services professional with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and complex needs. Natasha brings a deep commitment to person-centered care, advocacy, and empowerment. Her career spans roles in service coordination, independent brokerage, and community habilitation, with a strong foundation in program development, staff training, and regulatory compliance. Fluent in English and Spanish, Natasha combines cultural competence with a passion for helping others achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.
Natasha Salazar
Quote:
"Inclusion isn’t just a goal—it’s a promise to honor every individual’s right to live with dignity, independence, and choice."
— Cynthia Alcozer
Alerianne Rivera-Ojea works as an Executive Administrative Assistant for ACME NY. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Advertising and Communications. Her skills set in strategic communication and administrative management and 10+ years of experience in customer service, have honed her exceptional ability to build relationships with clients and ensure seamless operational support. She excels at anticipating needs, mitigating issues, and fostering positive relationships across diverse teams. Outside of her dynamic career, she is a woman of faith who loves God, enjoys traveling the world, and finds joy in planning thoughtful surprises for her loved ones.
Yakahira Lee-Romero serves as an administrative assistant, bringing strong organizational skills and a warm, person-centered approach to supporting programs with the IDD community. She holds an Associate's Degree and has several years of experience providing high-quality administrative and program support. Known for her attention to detail and calm, friendly demeanor, she ensures that daily operations run smoothly for staff and the individuals they serve. Her commitment to accessibility, respect, and teamwork helps create a welcoming environment for everyone.
Alerianne Rivera Ojea
Executive Administrative Assistant
Yakahira Lee-Romero
Administrative Assistant
yromero@acmenys.org
Denise Luna-Rodriguez began her journey with Acme NY in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant and advanced to the role of Support Broker in 2022. She holds a Master’s degree in Adolescent Mathematics Education and a minor in Psychology, bringing over six years of experience teaching in New York City schools. Her strong foundation in education, coupled with a deep passion for helping others, fuels her mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve independence and thrive as valued members of their communities. Denise believes that every person has the potential to grow, and she is committed to turning possibilities into realities—one step at a time.
Charlene Salazar is a Self-Direction Broker with 8 years of dedicated experience supporting individuals on the spectrum. She is passionate about helping each person build a meaningful, independent, and fulfilling life through personalized planning and empowerment. Her work is driven by compassion, advocacy, and the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive in their own unique way with the right supports put in place.
Denise Luna-Rodriguez, MA
Charlene Salazar
NYS OPWDD Support Broker
Janice Dobison is a Support Broker who is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to lead self-directed and fulfilling lives. She brings 5 years of experience in the IDD field, supported by a Master’s Degree in Psychology and ongoing Graduate Studies in Social Work. Known for her collaborative approach and strong advocacy skills, she helps individuals and families navigate services with confidence and clarity. Her passion for person-centered planning shines through in every connection she makes.
Janice Dobison, MA
NYS OPWDD Support Broker
Flora Kong is a dedicated Support Broker who helps individuals and families navigate Self-Direction with care and understanding. With a strong background in Personal Care Aide (PCA), Community Habilitation, and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), she offers expertise in budgeting, teamwork, and person-centered planning. Flora speaks English, Malay, and Mandarin, and is committed to empowering people to lead meaningful, self-directed lives.
Flora Kong
NYS OPWDD Support Broker
Serena Schallenberg is an independent Support Broker that has been working at ACME NY for more than 2 years. She has been assisting, serving and managing a Self-direction budget for many families with individuals that have developmental disabilities. She has formed friendships and bonds with all her families. Serena Schallenberg has 27 years of experience in management and business. This background has assisted her presently in her career with organization, multi- tasking, computer skills, computer programs, and social skills. This career has given her a fulfilling, purposeful and life-changing direction.
Serena Schallenberg
NYS OPWDD Support Broker
James Alcozer
James Alcozer is a professional with a robust background in strategic planning, project management, budgeting, and leadership, honed through eight years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and a technical career as a Hosted/Switch Voice Engineer. He has completed formal education in Person-Centered Planning, Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination, and Budgeting. Mr. Alcozer brings over a decade of dedicated experience advocating for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, applying his skills to foster inclusion and ensure equitable treatment. His unique blend of technical discipline and specialized advocacy training allows him to deliver comprehensive guidance in person-centered planning and program development. James brings invaluable experience and a commitment to advancing individualized support within the Self-Direction movement at ACME NY.
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