Springbrook boosts salaries, incentives, wage access

Springbrook – Otsego County’s third-largest employer with more than 1,200 workers – announced today it will give a $4,160 base wage increase to all current employees and offer COVID-related incentive payment of up to $1,500 for current employees and new hires.

The organization provides at-home care, residential and educational services, day services, and clinical, therapeutic, and behavioral support to more than 1,100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from across New York State. Springbrook CEO Patricia Kennedy praised the staff’s strength and dedication to their work.

“As a non-profit, Springbrook relies on funding from the state and has endeavored to make every available dollar work for our employees,” she said.

Springbrook has offered COVID vaccines and boosters to its staff; new employees and current, fully-vaccinated employees are eligible for a $500 bonus after completing their COVID faccine regimen (including boosters for those eligible). The non-profit will give a $1,000 “COVID service thank-you payment” to all full-time employees, pro-rated for part-time employees.

“These incentives are in line with those that have come before and offer all staff the opportunity to take necessary steps in fighting for the health of those for whom, and with whom, they work, and we are grateful to them for that,” Ms. Kennedy said.

Springbrook is not alone in facing COVID-related staff depletion: the statewide loss in the direct support professionals workforce jumped to 25 percent in 2021.

Springbrook also announced a new payment system that allows employees to access wages as they earn them or on a traditional biweekly pay schedule, giving them access to their pay on a schedule that works for their needs. The organization also provides employees the opportunity to return to school with “Springbrook Scholars,” providing a tuition-free track and tuition-reimbursement track for employees interested in pursuing their bachelor’s or master’s degree or continuing their education on a part-time basis.

For more information and employment opportunities, visit www.SpringbrookNY.org.