ALBANY — The state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) recently recognized 24 CSEA members employed at the agency as “Statewide Direct Support Professionals of the Year.”
The event included remarks from OPWDD Deputy Commissioners Adrienne Mazeau and John Barbuto.
Mazeau spoke about the importance of the recognition event.
“It’s a chance to highlight the vital work you do, your commitment and also the positive attitude you bring every day,” said Mazeau.
Barbuto noted the agency’s mission and dedication of its staff.
“When we show up, we connect with people and connect with the heart,” said Barbuto. “Thank you for all you do.”
OPWDD Acting Commissioner Willow Baer also gave remarks. Each honoree received certificates from OPWDD and CSEA recognizing their service. CSEA Deputy Director of State Operations Rob Scholz presented our union’s certificates on behalf of CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. The awardees, before coming to the stage, were praised by regional presenters familiar with their work.
“Our union recognizes the incredible work that members in this field do every day with some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Sullivan. “They take such great care of the clients they are responsible for and treat them just like family. Direct support professionals deserve incredible amounts of gratitude for what they do every day.”
Joining the direct support professional (DSP) awardees, four of our union members were also honored as CSEA National Alliance of Direct Support Professional (NADSP) E-badge earners. The national program, administered through OPWDD in partnership with CSEA and NADSP, provides a monetary award for members’ efforts to boost the professionalism of the field and get credentialed. There are three levels of certification: DSP 1, DSP 2 and DSP 3. New York is leading the nation in DSP credentials and CSEA is a key part of this effort.
Direct care work is gratifying but can also be challenging. Over the years, CSEA has heard from many members who work in direct care who have struggled with work/life balance as the result of mandate overtime fueled by chronic understaffing. This has prompted CSEA to work with OPWDD to give voice to members’ concerns and partner with agencies to boost recruitment and retention efforts.
OPWDD has made progress on both fronts and members are seeing a positive difference.
Kerri Wilkey, a direct support worker from Western NY DDSO, who was recognized at the event, says she notices an improvement in staffing levels and overtime mandates.
“We have three new trainees in our house and 10 new trainees on our team in the last year; that’s big,” said Wilkey.
Wilkey has also seen an improvement in workers’ work-life balance.
“I am working two doubles (shifts) and two singles with three days off,” said Wilkey. “That extra day really helps. A lot of jobs don’t give you that. It’s like a mini-vacation.”
— Therese Assalian
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- From left, Broome Developmental Center Local President Kimberly Grover supports local member and honoree Tim Fitzpatrick.
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- From left, Capital District DDSO honoree Del Costantino poses with OPWDD Acting Commissioner Willow Baer after accepting his certificates.
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- From left, Hudson Valley DDSO honoree Taura Combest with OPWDD Acting Commissioner Willow Baer.
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- E- Badge Academy participant and CSEA Long Island DDSO and Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center Local member Shavone Danzy, center, is congratulated by Deputy OPWDD Commisioner Adrienne Marzeau, left, and OPWDD Acting Commissioner Willow Baer, right. (Photo by John Benedict, OPWDD)
The recognized direct support professionals of the year gather after the ceremony for a group photo. (Photo by John Benedict, OPWDD)
CSEA OPWDD members honored:
Long Island Region:
Long Island DDSO: Ferdinand DeOcampo and Yolanda Trent
Metropolitan Region:
Bernard Fineson DDSO: Ernestine Murray and Sajal Somadder
Brooklyn DDSO: Gabriel Hernandez
Metro NY DDSO: Earle Russell
Staten Island DDSO: Jamahl Humbert and Shaneequelakeeya Pierre-Antoine
Southern Region:
Hudson Valley DDSO: Taura Combest and Janet Williams
Taconic DDSO: Darlene Baker and Alla Bowser
Capital Region:
Capital District DDSO: Del Costantino and Evan Wagner
Central Region:
Broome DDSO: Timothy Fitzpatrick
Central New York DDSO: Nicolette Bochenski and Eric Loucks
Sunmount DDSO: Merry Barney and Amanda Sarvis
Western Region:
Finger Lakes DDSO: Stephanie Smith and Anitra Spencer
Western New York DDSO: Julie Appenheimer and Kerri Wilkey
CSEA members E-Badge Academy honorees:
Long Island DDSO: Vincent Cagnone and Shavone Danzy
Broome DDSO: Heidi McDaniels
Sunmount DDSO: Diana Yaddow
