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Updates on Programs and Services due to COVID-19
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 Monday, May 17, 2021, we are still under Mask Protocols! Although there have been
some recent announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and New York State, People Inc. is still restricted and observing the
same Mask Protocols, as we wait for New York State OPWDD guidance. The majority
of our staff and program sites fall under the OPWDD regulations, so our Mask
Protocols are still in place – There is NO change as of this time. We are
closely monitoring this and will promptly announce any changes in policy. 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. Only people living at home with their families are eligible to return at that time. 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.
Updated 4.1.2021
|
Program |
Type |
Details |
|
Residential Group Homes |
Visitation at Group Homes |
As of Monday, February 1, 2021 visitation by family is
permitted with prior authorization. Families may also arrange window and
virtual visits. Visits must be pre-arranged in advance. |
|
Medical Appointments |
Family/Guardian can attend emergency medical appointments
and procedures in accordance with any precautions established by the medical
provider. |
|
|
Person Served Return to Group Home |
Prior to returning to the residential site, safeguards
outlined in operational policy, will be reviewed in detail with family/person
supported as part of the process. COVID-19 testing may be required. |
|
|
Community Outings |
As of Monday, February 1, 2021, limited community outings
are permitted, with some requiring approval from management. |
|
|
Senior Living |
Common Areas |
Supports continue. Community rooms open. Essential visiting only. |
|
Affordable Apartments (Mixed Income/Tax Credit Apartments) |
Common Areas |
Supports continue. Community rooms open. Essential visiting only. |
|
Day Habilitation, Community PreVoc, CAPP, DHWW, YALT |
General Operations |
Operations at these programs with the exception of Lancaster and Main Day Programs opened on 2.15.2021, ONLY for people who live at home with their families. Information is provided on the Day and Employment Chart. Please note: An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is now
available for the people, and families of people, enrolled in our Day
Habilitation and Vocational Programs for questions at 716.529.6505. |
|
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 suspended. Temporary Respite is available at the Northtowns and
Downing Respite Centers as a regional resource to care for people with
disabilities who are COVID-19 positive or recovering. |
|
Temporary Respite Center |
General Operations |
Temporary Respite is available at the Northtowns and
Downing Respite Centers as a regional resource to care for people with
disabilities who are COVID-19 positive or recovering. |
|
Site-Based Respite |
General Operations |
The following changes were made as of 2.9.2021 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 |
Taking calls about program info, tours and volunteer
orientations for spring. |
|
Ombudsman Services |
General Operations |
Remote support, in line with operator’s visitor policies. |
|
Senior Companion Program |
General Operations |
Operating at clients’ homes and doing telephone wellness
calls. |
