Important Legislation That Needs Your Action

We want to update you on two important pieces of legislation that the United Probation Officers Association has been actively working on to improve protections and benefits for probation officers in New York City and our brothers and sisters across the state.

Heart Disease Presumption (Heart Bill)
As many of you know, legislation that would establish a heart disease presumption for Probation Officers, Supervising Probation Officers, and Probation Officer Trainees was passed by the Legislature earlier this year. Unfortunately, Governor Hochul vetoed the bill last week.

While this was disappointing, this fight is far from over. We have been in direct contact with Senator Robert Jackson’s office, and they have confirmed that the Heart Bill will be a priority in the coming legislative session. Senator Jackson remains fully committed to reintroducing and advancing this legislation so that probation officers receive the same presumptive protections already afforded to other law enforcement professionals.

Probation officers face extraordinary stress and risk every day, and this bill is critical to ensuring that heart disease developed after entry into service is recognized as job-related and treated accordingly for retirement and disability purposes.

General Municipal Law 207-c (Disability Benefits)
In addition, UPOA has joined forces with probation officers from other counties across the state to renew our push for General Municipal Law 207-ccoverage. If enacted, this legislation would move us one step closer to ensuring that probation officers statewide receive full disability benefits if they are injured or become ill in the line of duty. At present, only Nassau County Probation Officers receive full 207-c coverage.

If the state law is passed, probation officers would then be able to approach their individual county legislatures for final approval. In other words, this state legislation is the first and necessary step—with final decisions ultimately made at the county level.

To strengthen this effort, we are launching a Change.org petition instead of a traditional letter-writing campaign. The petition is supported by the CSEA 815 Probation Sectionand the Erie County Probation Officers Association, and it is written so that it can be signed by any probation officer – or family member or friend of an officer – anywhere in New York State. This is not Erie County–specific, so please share it widely with your contacts throughout the state.

We are aiming to collect as many signatures as possible by January 5, as the New York State Legislature returns to Albany in early January. The bill is currently stalled in committee, and on January 5 the petition will be delivered to members of the Assembly, Senate, and the Governor’s office to urge action.

The petition also includes an explanation of General Municipal Law 207-c for those who may be unfamiliar with it.

Please sign the petition and encourage others to do the same. After signing, you can skip any optional prompts to donate or sign other petitions. Most importantly, please share the link via email (feel free to forward this message) and on social media.

You can sign the petition at this link:
https://c.org/GhqYSPJXpx 

Thank you, as always, for standing together and supporting these critical efforts to protect probation officers across New York State.

In solidarity,
Dalvanie K. Powell
United Probation Officers Association\

UPDATE Registration Information - UPOA WF Health and Wellness Sneaker Ball

Eventbrite has informed us that users had problems registering for events on their and they are working on it. We apologize for any inconvenience and have created an alternative link to register for UPOA Welfare Fund Health and Wellness Sneaker Ball Toy and Book Drive event on 12/5/25. If you have already registered via Eventbrite you do not need to register again. click on this link to register

Reminder of Upcoming UPOA General Membership Meeting and Vote

Reminder: The next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2025 at Bronx Neon, 198 E 161st Street, on November 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Members will vote on three proposals on December 10, 2025 at your work location between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Members will be asked to vote on:

1. A proposed amendment regarding delegate meeting attendance

2. A proposed amendment regarding eligibility to run for officer positions

3. A motion to modify or increase dues

Click here to view information on the proposals. Your participation is strongly encouraged.

Register Now for the UPOA Health and Welfare Sneaker Ball Toy and Book Drive 12-5-25

This event is free for all active and retired members. Registration is required and members are allowed to bring only one guest (Duplicate registration or non -member registrations will be discarded). The event gives members an opportunity to relax from all the stressors of the year, obtain vital health and financial wellness information as well as giveback. We are asking all participants to donate an unwrapped toy or book which will be distributed to children at Sloan Kettering Hospital and clients on Probation. There will be unlimited food and drinks - click here to print flyer and click here to register.


Here is the list of toys that Memorial Sloan Kettering accepts, as well as those they do not accept:


  • Toys should be brand new in their original manufacturer package and below are some suggested items: 

  • Toys and Activities - LEGO sets - Thomas the Tank Engine Trains and Tracks - Play-Doh and Play-Doh Kits - Uno Cards & Playing Cards - Dollhouse accessories - Craft Kits (Creativity for Kids, ALEX) - Board Games

  • Art Supplies - Small packs of markers, crayons, and colored pencils - Coloring, sticker, and activity books - Watercolor paints - Construction paper

  • Teenagers and Young Adults - Advanced LEGO sets - Craft Kits or Supplies (Jewelry Making Kits, Scrapbooking Supplies) - Cozy socks, neck pillows, toiletry cases, small tote bags. 

Below are unacceptable toys:

  • Stuffed animals or plush objects.

  • Please avoid toys that have small or sharp pieces or items that fall apart easily. Our patient population includes many infants and toddlers.

  • Edible items or liquids

  • Clothing, food items, or cosmetics

  • Used items or handmade items

  • Marketing materials 

Thanking you in advance for your donation.


Homegoing Services for our Beloved Jeph Oyeku

In Loving Memory (From the Family)

Jephthah Olúgbóyèga Oyeku

“Jeph” • “Brother Jeph” • “Branch Chief Oyeku”

June 16, 1948 - October 15, 2025

Thank you for your kind words, prayers, and support as we mourn the sudden passing of our beloved father, who left us while doing what he loved. Our family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of tributes from his colleagues at the NYC Department of Probation and the United Probation Officers Association. Your expressions of care and respect have been a great comfort to us.

We invite you to join us in honoring Jeph’s life:

Friday, November 14, 2025

📍 Funeral Service

Grace Baptist Church

52 South 6th Avenue • Mount Vernon, NY

🕙 Wake/Viewing: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

As we gather for the Wake and Viewing, we will offer a time for family, friends, and colleagues to share testimonies, stories, and prayers that reflect the impact of Jeph’s life.

🕛 Funeral Service: 12:00 PM

📺 Livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person

Standing Together in Remembrance

To help us celebrate his life, we’ve created a dedicated email address:

📧 memoriesofjeph@gmail.com

Please share your stories and photos of Jeph for a video montage. We’d love to include memories—whether funny, touching, or inspiring—that capture the man he was.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Suzette Oyeku: 617-233-3486

Patrick Oyeku: 917-771-9654

Claudette Oyeku: 716-510-7885

UNIVERSAL TAX WEBINAR HOSTED BY STACEY BRAUN ASSOCIATES

UPOA would like to remind members of our financial counseling benefit by Stacey Braun Associates. This resource is here to support members with one-on-one guidance on budgeting, debt management, retirement planning, and more—and it's completely free through your union. On October 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM Stacey Braun Associates is hosting the Universal Tax Webinar. Click on the link below to register.

https://www.staceybraun.com/new-federal-tax-law-changes-webinar-100725/


This webinar is designed to help members better understand and prepare for tax season. Full details can be accessed by clicking the link above. We encourage all members to take advantage of this helpful session.