CDS Monarch Announces Significant Bonus Payments to Direct Care Staff

Webster, N.Y.  – CDS Monarch, a leading provider of opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives in their community, announces their direct care employees will share in $5 million of relief funds provided by the New York State Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

“Our direct care staff are the backbone of our organization; our heroes who answered the call for our individuals when we needed them the most. They sacrificed to care for our most vulnerable individuals through the pandemic. I am thrilled they are being rewarded for their dedication to CDS Monarch and the people they care for,” said Andrew Sewnauth, CDS Monarch Executive Director.

Four different bonuses will be awarded to eligible employees who worked for CDS Monarch from 4/1/2020 through 3/31/2021 and 4/1/2021 through 3/31/2022. Employees must be currently employed by CDS to be eligible.

Longevity Payments

Each eligible employee will receive a payment that represents an identical percentage increase calculated relative to their base salary paid over the defined period. These funds will be dispersed in one payment by 4/22/2022.

Retention Payments

Each eligible employee will receive a payment that represents an identical percentage increase calculated relative to their base salary paid over the defined period. These funds will be disbursed in six payments on opposite payroll weeks starting in May 2022.

COVID Service Payment & Vaccination Incentive Payment

The funds for these two separate payments have not been received yet by CDS and will be disbursed within 90 days of being received from OPWDD.

“During this pandemic, individuals and their families could always count on the bargaining unit staff at CDS Monarch. Our members went above and beyond every day to ensure stability, love and excellent care. It is important that we salute them, recognize their courage and compensate them accordingly. While New York State has taken some steps to recognize workers such as our members at CDS Monarch, there is still lots of work to be done to address the years of neglect and underfunding within our workforce,” said Charline Smikle, Union Representative, SEIU Local200United.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) make an average of $15-$20 an hour depending on their shift assignment. For some of these employees, the bonus will equate to one-third of their annual salary. CDS Monarch employs over 300 DSPs across Monroe County, as well as professional staff including management and vocational specialists, who will also share in these funds.

“While we are encouraged to see government leaders recognize our front-line hard work and dedication through the COVID-19 Pandemic, we were disappointed that not all of our employees classified as direct service professionals were included in OPWDD’s relief funds dispersal. CDS Monarch is appreciative of their loyalty to the individuals served through our programs, and has recognized, and will continue to show appreciation for, the great work they do,” said Sewnauth.

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