2020 Pandemic Survey of People Living with Disabilities Open Through February 15

The Partnership Coalition brings together a coalition of diverse voices advocating for collaboration, which promotes best practices and true inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Their members include self-advocates, family members, and staff from provider agencies in our area. They have issued a survey  to learn about how people living with disabilities are coping with, and managing through, the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses will be kept confidential.  At this time there is a world-wide COVID-19 pandemic and many people have been affected - some more than others. People have lost jobs, have been isolated from loved ones, and are experiencing increased anxiety and depression. The Partnership Coalition wants to learn about things going on in the community and needs feedback from people living with a disability. This will help them focus on what is the most important and to expand their scope to better address local issues.   Please take a moment to forward the survey link ( ) to anyone with a disability and encourage them to complete this brief survey by Friday, February 15, 2021 . If needed, friends or caregivers may provide assistance to complete the survey, however, the responses should be those of the person taking the survey.       .  

A Message from OPWDD - Help Keep the People We Support Safe During the COVID-19 Winter Surge

People Inc. shared New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Acting Commissioner Kerri Neifeld message encouraging everyone to “Get Vaccinated, Get Boosted and Wear a Mask!”

April 14, 2020 Immediate Action Needed - Urge Federal Reserve for Forgivable Loan for Nonprofits

Attention Families and Supporters, On Friday, April 10, the Treasury and Federal Reserve announced the Mid-Size Loan Program , for nonprofit and for-profits with 500-10,000 employees through the Main Street Business Lending Program, which would include organizations like People Inc. As it stands currently, this program is a loan, which is not forgivable. The Federal Reserve is currently accepting comments and recommendations. The deadline to comment is THIS Thursday, April 16.  As People Inc. is providing essential services during the crisis, we have incurred highly unusual increased costs in staffing, PPE, and other critical services. Since we are not eligible for other Federal relief programs such as the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) due to our size and due to the fact that we must remain fully operational, we are asking families of those we support and our management team, to request that the Mid-Size Loan Program have provisions to convert to a forgivable loan for nonprofits, such as People Inc., that face losses due to COVID-19.  We encourage you as a vital member of the People Inc. family to comment to urge that this loan be forgivable for nonprofits by going to the Federal Reserve website as soon as possible. If you would prefer to email your comments, please send them to: regs.comments@federalreserve.gov and include "Main Street Lending" in the subject line of the message. Your concerns must be received either online or by email before the end of business on April 16. A sample comment for you to use (1,500 character maximum): In support of the 4,000 employees of a regional non-profit health and human services agency that provides programs and services to nearly 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, their families and older adults throughout numerous counties in Western New York and the Greater Rochester region, I am writing today to inform you that People Inc. is fully engaged in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. They must ensure that more than 150 community-based homes and services for people with disabilities remain as safe as possible and are staffed 24/7. The vulnerable people that depend on People Inc. deserve no less. However, because they are providing essential services during the crisis, People Inc. has incurred highly unusual increased costs in staffing, PPE, and cleaning services. Since People Inc. is not eligible for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) due to their size and the fact that they must remain fully operational, we request that the Mid-Size Loan Program have provisions to convert to a forgivable loan for nonprofits that face staggering losses due to COVID-19. This would grant them the same protections as PPP. Thank you in advance for your support of direct care staff, the people they support and People Inc.

April 15, 2020 Important Information from Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) Director Arnold Ackerley

Self-Advocates and Parent Advocates had a recent victory advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to be allowed to have a support person with them if they are admitted into the hospital. Thank you to all the advocates who worked so hard on this, and to the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) for taking action.  SANYS worked together with professionals at SWAN (Statewide Advocacy Network) on these tools if a trip to the hospital is necessary: Help with COVID-19 Hospitalization Help with Hospitalization – Easy Read  The information in these documents should help self-advocates, family members, staff and others communicate the rights of a person with I/DD should they need to go to the hospital.   “Help with COVID-19 Hospitalization” is a nine-page packet and “Help with Hospitalization – Easy Read” is an easy-to-read summary of what is in that packet. Within the packet is also a COVID-19 disability form created by SUNY Stony Brook which can be filled out in advance to help people have good information prepared, in the event that they enter a hospital.   We are want to be clear that these are tools we are offering as help to people and they are not required for use. We recommend that self-advocates work with their circle of support and/or teams to determine if support in the hospital will be essential or not. Everyone should recognize that this is specifically about a right to essential support and there are people with I/DD that may not need essential support in the hospital. As always, we are all different and we want to recognize that difference and be responsible in how we exercise our rights.     Additionally, DOH has issued guidance to hospitals, clarifying the right of people with I/DD to have essential support in hospital.  That guidance can be found here: COVID-19 Updated Guidance for Hospital Operators Regarding Visitation We would like to thank OPWDD and DOH for issuing the above guidance. We would also like to acknowledge the work done by SUNY Stonybrook and professionals at SWAN. People Inc. is a proud supporter of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS).

April 16, 2020 Letter to Families (English and Español)

April 16, 2020: Another letter to families is available (in English and Español ). As always, People Inc. encourages you to stay in contact. Our dedicated email address and phone line is operational to help make it easier to share any concerns at COVIDconcern@people-inc.org or 716.817.7445. Families can also contact the senior residential supervisor at your loved one’s home.

April 20, 2020 Face Mask Donations Needed

Do you or does someone you know create cloth masks or have a supply of other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? Help our direct support professionals continue to work safely with a donation . Anyone having leads or involvement with those making or donating masks for frontline workers, please email foundation@people-inc.org . All donations are being coordinated centrally through the People Inc. Foundation and are greatly appreciated!

April 22, 2020 Family and Caregiver Group on April 24

Parent Network of Western New York is hosting another virtual meeting for parents and caregivers of people with developmental disabilities. Rick Banner, director of Advocacy and Person-Centered Services at People Inc., will be the guest speaker, discussing use of technology and outreach during this difficult time. The meeting will take place on Friday, April 24, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. More information can be found on the Parent Network website . Please share with anyone who may be interested.

April 27, 2020 Parent and Caregiver Group Virtual Meeting on May 1

Parent Network of Western New York is hosting virtual meetings for parents and caregivers of people with developmental disabilities. The meetings will take place on Fridays, May 1, 8 and 15, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. These online events provide a welcoming environment for parents, family members and other caregivers to meet, share experiences, ask questions and receive support. More information can be found on the  Parent Network website . Please share with anyone who may be interested.

August 17, 2020 Family and Caregiver Group Meeting on August 21

Parent Network of Western New York is hosting virtual meetings for parents and caregivers of people with developmental disabilities. The next meeting will take place on Friday, August 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This online event provides a welcoming environment for parents, family members and other caregivers to meet, share experiences, ask questions and receive support. More information can be found on the Parent Network website . Please share this information and  flyer  with anyone who may be interested.