Page 9 - Work Force December 2024

December 2024 9
The Work Force
“CSEA OPWDD
members deserve
every bit of
recognition they
receive. Their hard
work in caring for
some of our state’s
most vulnerable
citizens should not
go unnoticed.”
ALBANY — CSEA members were
among the state Office for People
With Developmental Disabilities
(OPWDD) staff who were honored at
the agency’s recent
2024 Employee of
the Year Awards
ceremony, held in
Albany.
The awards bring
together staff from
OPWDD facilities and
offices around the
state to recognize
those whose work
best exemplifies the
mission of the agency.
OPWDD Acting
Commissioner Willow Baer
welcomed honorees, noting that “You
truly put people first.”
“We are the hardest working team
in state government,” Baer, added in
reference to the state team.
“CSEA OPWDD members deserve
every bit of recognition they receive.
Their hard work in caring for
some of our state’s
most vulnerable
citizens should not
go unnoticed,” said
CSEA President
Mary E. Sullivan.
“Congratulations to all
the awardees. We owe
our appreciation to all
our dedicated OPWDD
members.”
Awards were divided
in three categories:
State Operations
Individual Honorees, Regional Office
Honorees (both team and individual)
and Statewide Team Honorees (both
team and individual).
From the Self-Direction Unit,
OPWDD workers
honored for service
From left, CSEA members Nicole Rivers, Amanda Pitts, Michelle Miranda
and Ugonda Toney are recognized for their outstanding work at OPWDD.
From left, Deputy OPWDD Commissioner - State
Operations John Barbuto, Western New York
DDSO Local member Michelle Miranda and
Acting OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer.
From left, Sunmount DDSO
Local member Amanda
Pitts and Acting OPWDD
Commissioner Willow Baer.
From left, OPWDD Deputy Commissioner - State
Operations John Barbuto, Capital District DDSO
Local member Ugonda Toney and Acting OPWDD
Commissioner Willow Baer.
From left, OPWDD Deputy Commissioner -
State Operations John Barbuto, Metropolitan
DDSO Local member Nicole Rivers and Acting
OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer.
Regional Field Office 4, CSEA member
Frank Coleman was recognized as
part of the statewide team. Coleman,
a direct support assistant, started
work in 2021.
Thirteen OPWDD workers were
recognized with State Operations
honors as OPWDD Employees of
The Year 2024, including six CSEA
members:
•
Ugonda Toney, direct support
assistant, Capital District
DDSO.
•
Kaci Fox, developmental
assistant 2, Finger Lakes
DDSO.
•
Tammy Roldan, food service
worker 1, Hudson Valley DDSO.
Roldan was also recognized
for 35 years of service.
•
Nicole Rivers, licensed
practical nurse, Metropolitan
DDSO.
•
Amanda Pitts, developmental
disabilities secure care
treatment aide 2, Sunmount
DDSO.
•
Michelle Miranda,
developmental assistant 3,
Western New York DDSO.
— Therese Assalian