COVID-19

Community Message

 

Thank you for checking in with our website regarding agency operations during the current COVID-19 pandemic. As you are aware, this is a time of rapidly developing information. We want to assure you that our agency takes seriously our role in assuring the individuals we serve maintain optimum health and safety and the staff who support them are trained to respond to emerging needs in a timely and appropriate manner. Each program has implemented heightened cleaning activities and expectations and is implementing additional preventative measures as recommended by government agencies. We are monitoring daily Centers for Disease Control, State and Local Departments of Health, Office of Mental Health, State Education Department, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Federal, State, County and City emergency preparedness directives and guidelines. Decisions to close any program are made in consultation with and in response to directives from these government agencies. Oftentimes, a program that is operational today may be directed to close within a short period of time due to highly dynamic and changing circumstances. We understand that program closure poses a significant inconvenience to individuals, families, and caregivers. However, such decisions are made when it is determined that the continuation of service poses more of a health and safety risk than closure. Please refer to WHAM 13’s Closing Listing for program status. Additional program status changes may also be communicated to you, directly.

 

Residential services will continue to operate 24/7, but you may observe changes in house operations as we work to assure the safety and health of the individuals who reside in these homes. Changes may include increased use of personal protective equipment, mandated visitor sign-in and moving forward; could include visitor restrictions if we are directed to do so, or if it becomes evident to us that such measures are necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. PLEASE: If you are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath do not visit the residence. Arrangements can be made for phone or, where able, skype visits with loved ones in lieu of on-site visits by calling the residence directly.

 

We thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work in partnership with community health professionals to work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The health and well-being of those we serve and our community at large depends upon it.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

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Mary Boatfield, President & CEO