December 2024
Dear Staff,
It’s truly a wonderful time of the year! On December 4th, we held our Annual Staff Recognition Night at The Whitby Castle in Rye, a special event where we celebrate the incredible dedication of our employees. This year, our staff members were honored for their years of service, ranging from five to 40 years. A special heartfelt thank you goes to Donna Worrell, Quality Improvement Administrative Assistant, who marked an incredible 40 years of commitment and excellence. We applaud Donna and all of our honorees this holiday season.
We extend our deepest gratitude for their invaluable contributions and wish a happy and healthy future to those who have retired this year. Together, we truly have an amazing team! Please see the photo highlights on the following pages.
As previously shared, on December 13, 2024, the first of two payments of a one-time Direct Service Retention Bonus that OPWDD specifically designated to eligible employees will be distributed. The second payment will be distributed on March 21, 2025. We will also be releasing on December 13, 2024, a Staff Reward Payment for eligible employees who were excluded from the OPWDD definition of eligible staff receiving the Direct Service Retention Bonus.
While the 2024-2025 New York State Budget recognized the need to include funds to support our dedicated staff, the increase was not sufficient to cover all the rising costs of providing services to people with developmental disabilities. However, I am pleased to report that our Board of Directors committed to providing a 1.7% salary increase to all employees effective December 23, 2024.
Thank you to all that attended the rally at the New York State Capitol in Albany on November 19. The rally called on Governor Kathy Hochul to support our requests for the 2025-2026 state budget. We need to continue to advocate for more funding to provide higher salary increases to our staff and to ensure that people with disabilities receive the supports they deserve. Please make sure to participate in the one-click campaign; you can click as many times as you like. Our goal is to send as many messages as possible.
I recently attended an event and met with Feeding Westchester’s President and CEO Karen Erren. We discussed the serious issue of food insecurity right here in Westchester County and the surrounding areas. She asked that during this season of giving, we consider sharing location information of food pantries and other meal programs. Click here for the complete list.
As we reflect on this past year, I want to express my sincere thanks for your unwavering dedication to fulfilling our mission. It was a joy to greet many of you at the holiday gatherings I attended around the organization. During this season of giving, as we gather with our loved ones, let’s take time to appreciate moments of gratitude—especially for each other.
Wishing you all a joyful, healthy holiday season and a wonderful New Year! May happiness, good health, and peace surround you in 2025!
Warm regards,
Tibi
Tibi Guzmán, CEO The Arc Westchester
Giuseppe DePalma was honored with the South-East Region DSP of the Year Award at the New York State Association of Day Service Providers Symposium this fall. Congratulations Giuseppe for this well-deserved honor.
Jacie Feur and Shari Lewitt presented at the New York State Association of Day Service Providers Symposium in Saratoga and were there to celebrate Giuseppe on his award.
Members of the Arc Westchester family took the long trip to the Capitol in Albany to join chapters from across the state, The Arc New York and New York Disability Advocates, urging Governor Kathy Hochul to support our requests in the 2025-2026 state budget. Our voices are stronger together, and we will continue to advocate for increased funding to ensure that people with disabilities get the support they deserve. Be sure to send a message using the one-click campaign. You can send as many notes as you want - the numbers are very important.
Julia Gordon, New Rochelle Day Habilitation Instructor, was one of many employees who won a basket of goodies during an agency-wide holiday contest held by our Human Resources Department.
The Health Corner
MANY Health has partnered with our medical carrier, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, to provide our members with our Wellbeing Solutions Program. Through this program, you can take control of your wellness and get rewarded for it. You can receive up to $200 in rewards in e-gift cards for doing things as simple as logging into your Empire Account. Scan the QR code above to download the Many Health Sydney app!
REMINDER: Your ANTHEM REWARDS will expire on December 31st. You can earn up to $200 per year. Login to your Anthem account TODAY! Questions? Contact Human Resources.
So much JOY at the Guardianship Holiday Party!
Please see the donation boxes at all of our locations this holiday season. We are collecting clothing and nonperishable food. Proceeds will go to Don Bosco and a Northern Westchester Food Pantry.
Thank you for your generosity!
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Staff, Trainees and Parents
FROM: Tibisay A. Guzman, CEO
DATE: October 1, 2024
SUBJECT: 2025 Holiday Closing
For your convenience, listed below are NINE (9) holidays on which all The Arc Westchester Administrative Offices and training centers will be closed.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR 2025
NEW YEAR’S DAY
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
MEMORIAL DAY
JUNETEENTH
INDEPENDENCE DAY
LABOR DAY
THANKSGIVING DAY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025
MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025
THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2025
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
DAY FOLLOWING THANKSGIVING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025
CHRISTMAS DAY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
For staff, two (2) floating holidays may be taken in addition to the above list. Please refer to the Holiday Policy in the Personnel Manual.
Corrections:
In our December newsletter, we inadvertently left out two names from the list of Staff Recognition Recipients. We sincerely apologize for this oversight and regret any confusion it may have caused.
10 years
Retiree
Joanne Smith, Registered Nurse Rhoda Atieno Okungu, DSP