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).
Program and Service Status Update Chart
Dec 31, 2020
People Inc. continues to monitor community experience with COVID-19. We have been operating in a proactive manner with a range of precautionary measures since the beginning of the pandemic. Our primary goal is to maintain a safe and healthy environment for both the people we support and our employees.
Adjustment, as needed, to our programs and services will be made across the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions, based on the work of the People Inc. Emergency Preparedness Team, who 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.
Our primary goal is to maintain a safe and healthy environment for both the people we support and our employees. We appreciate your support, as we continue to work together through this extremely challenging time.
Updated: 2.16.2021
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. |
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 reopened 2.16.2021 with restrictions. Visitors permitted. |
Affordable Apartments (Mixed Income/Tax Credit Apartments) | Common Areas | Supports continue. Community rooms reopened 2.15.2021 with restrictions. |
Day Habilitation, Community PreVoc, CAPP, DHWW, YALT | General Operations | Operations at these programs are changing as of 2.15.2021. With the exception of Lancaster and Main Day Programs - the other programs are reopened 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 are effective as of 2.9.2021 for our respite sites:
|
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 will reopen 2.15.2021 |
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 | Limited schedule for winter. 2021 Season Registration for riding lessons now open. Taking calls about program info, tours and volunteer orientations that will be scheduled in the 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. |