Child Development Specialist (CDS) Class Study

Greetings UPE Family!

On August 5, 2026, your UPE bargaining team met with Labor Relations and Employment Services regarding the Child Development Specialist Class Study.

Previously, the CDS I and II classes were separate and had a one (1) year probationary period; they are now tied together as CDS I/II, as all other classifications that have a level I and II are, and the probationary period is now six (6) months. This creates a clearer pathway for CDS I’s to promote to CDS II. The minimum qualifications (MQ’s) were also updated, making one (1) year of experience mandatory. There was also a Sr. CDS classification created of which there will be three (3) positions, to provide CDSs with a promotion pathway to CDS Supervisor.

Most current permanent CDS I’s will be made CDS II’s; this will include a bump in pay, and a pay scale was created for the Sr. CDS classification. Once the current intermittent (1560) CDS’s have completed enough working hours, they too are able to be promoted to CDS II.

The goal is to have this matter scheduled for approval by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in October 2026.

If you have any questions regarding this flyer, please contact Tezra Sledge, Business Agent, UPE.

Thank you for your advocacy, Angel McMurray, Jennifer Wygand, Deanna Green, and Sondra Peters.