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.
People Inc. also maintains an Emergency Closing Line for program participants, families and staff containing updated information about weather-related program closures. Call 716.817.5700 (Western New York) or 585.441.9393 (Greater Rochester Region) to find out if your program or location is closed.
Note:
On March 7, 2024, People Inc. updated the visitor policy for all residential facilities based on the recent Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) revised guidance on the "Management of Communicable Respiratory Viral Infections." Communicable Respiratory Viral Infections include: seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, measles, varicella zoster (chicken pox), and herpes zoster (shingles).
- If a person-served in a residence is under investigation (PUI) for or positive for COVID-19 or Influenza or Respiratory Viral Infection: Visitation is limited to outside (if weather permits)/Bedroom.
- If a person-Served is exposed to a person under investigation for or positive for COVID-19 or Influenza or Respiratory Viral Infection: Visitation is limited to outside (if weather permits)/Designated area in the home away from people in isolation.
- Face masks are required under the following circumstances:
- Face Masks are required if a visitor had close contact with someone with COVID-19, wear a well fitted face mask around others for 10-days from last close contact.
- Face Masks are required if a visitor completed a minimum 5-day isolation period as a result of a COVID-19 infection and are required to be worn on days 6-10.
- Face Masks are required if the home has a person receiving services under isolation for PUI or positive COVID-19 or the home is under isolation for a suspected or confirmed influenza.
More information is available at NYS OPWDD and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
April 14, 2020 Immediate Action Needed - Urge Federal Reserve for Forgivable Loan for Nonprofits
Apr 14, 2020
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.