August 26, 2021 | njspotlight.com online article

State and local governments nationwide have offered different incentives for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, from New Jersey with its “Shot and a Beer” program to New York’s free tickets to attractions, all the way to the million-dollar lotteries offered by several states, including Massachusetts, Michigan and Ohio. Could one ever forget West Virginia’s “Do it for Babydog” vaccination sweepstakes? Its kitchen sink of prizes included fishing boats, free gas, season tickets to college football, ATVs and lawn mowers. (Babydog is West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s English bulldog.)

Community Options, a Princeton-based national nonprofit that develops housing and employment supports for people with disabilities, has announced its effort to incentivize vaccination against the disease — a $500 bonus for all of its 5,500 employees who become fully vaccinated. “The health and safety of our employees and the people with disabilities we support are of paramount importance to us,” said Robert Stack, president and CEO of Community Options. The nonprofit supports more than 5,000 people with disabilities in 10 states. Many require 24/7 care from direct support professionals and other staff.