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Browse the latest People Inc. and affiliate news, updates and press releases.

Weather-related or other closing updates for programs/services are available. Learn more

News & Resources > Coronavirus & Influenza Updates

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).

Participate in a Survey for Families/Caregivers of People with IDD through May 16

May 11, 2022

Input from Family/Caregivers of People with IDD Needed on New York’s Response to COVID-19
The Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC) is compiling a report on New York State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to solicit feedback from as many providers as possible, the DDPC has developed a survey for parents/caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Please share this message with families you support:

We know that people with IDD and family members faced unique challenges during the pandemic. We want to hear about your experiences, during the earlier days of the pandemic, so that the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and other state agencies can be better prepared, should another public health emergency occur in the future.

The New York State Legislature has charged the independent DDAC with preparing a report assessing New York’s response to COVID-19 relating to people with IDD. The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) is assisting the DDAC in the preparation of the report.

This report will include an evaluation of policies, procedures, and programs that were implemented from March 2020 through April 2021 to determine the impact on safety for people with IDD. The report will also include feedback from stakeholder groups including self-advocates, family members/caregivers, providers, CCOs and underserved communities.

Survey for Families/Caregivers of People with IDD

One of the important components of this report is a survey for family members/caregivers of people with IDD. As a family member/caregiver of a person with IDD, your voice is critical to making sure our report accurately represents the experiences that people with IDD and family members faced during the pandemic for the time period of March 2020 through April 2021. It is also essential that a wide variety of family members from various parts of the state and an array of backgrounds respond to the survey so the DDAC and DDPC get the clearest picture of the impact of the state’s actions. 

The survey is about 10 minutes long. It is completely voluntary and anonymous. You are free to skip any questions that you do not wish to answer. If you are interested, view the survey here. It will be open until Monday, May 16.

Thank you for your participation in this important effort.