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Updates on Programs and Services due to COVID-19
Updated 7.14.2021
While many of our People Inc. services remained in full
operation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to date, others were suspended or
significantly altered. Adjustment, as needed, will be made across the Western New
York and Finger Lakes regions, based on geographic case prevalence. The People
Inc. Emergency Preparedness Team is proactively engaged in monitoring any
potential changes in our service areas and will adjust agency policies accordingly.
The chart below will continue to be updated to reflect status changes of a program
or service.
As of Thursday, July 8, 2021, People Inc. adjusted our masking protocols, based on revised OPWDD guidance, throughout the agency effective immediately, as follows:
- Unvaccinated people are required to wear a mask in People Inc. program and office buildings and in common spaces in apartment complexes. So, if you are vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask in People Inc. buildings – this includes staff, visitors, vendors, people supported and families.
- During transportation, masks are still required for OPWDD programs, regardless of vaccine status.
- Breakrooms are open for use for those who are vaccinated only, with no masks required.
Thank
you for your continued observation of the protocols that best keep the people
we support and our staff as safe as possible.
Note: As of Monday, February 15, 2021, many of the People Inc. Day, CAPP, YALT and Respite programs began reopening, but not all. Please see the appropriate area in the chart below.
Our primary goal is to maintain a safe and healthy environment for both the people we support and our employees. To be as transparent as possible, and allow for families and others to best plan, we are sharing the below information. We appreciate your support, as we continue to work together through this extremely challenging time.
We will continue to post updates to this information online,
and as always, families are welcome to call group homes or programs for
specific questions or participate on our family conference calls.
A Coronavirus Phone Line is available for families to call
at 716.817.7445. An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is available for
families and people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational
Services to share questions at 716.529.6505. Concerns may also be emailed to COVIDconcern@people-inc.org.
Updated 7.14.2021
|
Program |
Type |
Details |
|
Residential Group Homes |
Visitation at Group Homes |
As of July 8, 2021, there are no restrictions for visitation. Please Note: Unvaccinated people are still required by NYS & OPWDD to wear a face mask inside the group home at all times. Unvaccinated people may remove their face mask outside, only if 6 feet physical/social distancing can occur. |
|
Medical Appointments |
Family/Guardian may attend medical appointments
and procedures as necessary. However, attendance is also based on the specific health care facilities' COVID-19 guidance and policies. Most health care facilities and providers are still requiring the use of face masks, regardless of vaccination status and still have some capacity limitations in place. |
|
|
Person Served Return to Group Home |
As of July 8, 2021, there are no restrictions for return to the group home. |
|
|
Community Activities |
As of July 8, 2021, there are no restrictions on community activities. Please note that unvaccinated people are still required by NYS & OPWDD to wear a mask. |
|
|
Senior Living |
Common Areas |
Community rooms (with kitchen) are open. Tenants and
visitors who are unvaccinated are required to wear a mask in the common areas. |
|
Affordable Apartments (Mixed Income/Tax Credit Apartments) |
Common Areas |
Community rooms (with kitchen) are open. Tenants and
visitors who are unvaccinated are required to wear a mask in the common areas. |
|
Day Habilitation, Community PreVoc, CAPP, DHWW, YALT |
General Operations |
Operations primarily open to persons who live at home with their
families or reside in other agencies' residential programs due to continued
restrictions on capacity in buildings (social distancing) and transportation (50
% occupancy on vans/buses). |
|
Employment Services |
General Operations |
Community-based employment supports have continued, following employer/placement’s status. Limited Contract Manufacturing is operational at 181 Lincoln location. |
|
Free-standing Respite |
General Operations |
Traditional respite services at Northtowns and Downing Respite Centers are operational. |
|
Site-Based Respite |
General Operations |
The following changes were made as of 2.9.2021, or after, for our respite sites: Open:
Not opening at this time:
|
|
In-Home Behavioral |
General Operations |
Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in
place. |
|
Community Habilitation/ In-Home Respite |
General Operations |
Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in
place. |
|
Recreation Respite |
General Operations |
Program reopened |
|
Elmwood Health Center |
General Operations |
Continued operations, open for in-person and virtual
visits. |
|
Home Health Care |
General Operations |
Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in
place. |
|
Headway of WNY |
General Operations |
Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in
place. Virtual support groups held the first and third Tuesday each month. |
|
Deaf Access Services |
General Operations |
Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in
place. |
|
Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center |
General Operations |
General operations resumed |
|
Ombudsman Services |
General Operations |
In-person support in line with operator’s visitor policies. |
|
Senior Companion Program |
General Operations |
Operating at clients’ homes and doing telephone wellness
calls. |
