December 2, 2020 People Inc. Offers Next Informational Session for Families December 14

Thank you to families who participated in our earlier conference call updates from agency management.  We have scheduled the next information session for families of the people we support for Monday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. During this call, agency management will provide operational updates, projected plans and answer questions. Questions may be sent in advance, and during the call, to  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org , or texted to 716.868.9233. Given the anticipated volume of participants on the calls, this is the most effective way to have your question heard and answered.  RSVP to 716.817.7400 to receive the conference call number and access code. Please note: an RSVP is needed because even if the conference call phone number remains the same, a new unique access code is issued specific to each call.

Family Alert: Updated Important Message to Families of Loved Ones Supported Through our Day and Respite Services

Please refer to the  Coronavirus section  for the most up to date communications. Updated 12.1.2020 The Western New York and Finger Lakes regions are experiencing a serious and significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases, some of the highest in the state. The trend is resulting in the designation of Orange and Red Zones. Our main concerns remain the health and safety of your loved ones and our staff. Effective on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, operations are suspended at our remaining day services and respite sites (outlined here Program Suspension ). Please make contingency plans now. You will be notified directly when the decision is made to suspend services for the location your loved one attends, and again as reopening occurs. Temporary closure decisions may be made quickly, based on safety. Thank you for actively preparing necessary alternative arrangements. 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: A special Coronavirus Phone Line has been established for families to call, 716.817.7445, and is checked and responded to directly.  A new, afterhours Coronavirus hotline is now available for the people and families of people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to express questions and concerns. The number is 716.529.6505.  A special email address has been established as well, so that concerns can be addressed at  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org.    

Temporary Suspension of Some Programs and Services

Please refer to the  Coronavirus section  for the most up to date communications. While many of our People Inc. services remained in full operation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to date, others were suspended or significantly altered. Now, the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions are experiencing a serious and significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases, some of the highest in the state. New York State has released information regarding COVID-19 “cluster zones,” which are focus areas designated based on geographic case prevalence. The People Inc. Emergency Preparedness Team is proactively engaged in monitoring any potential changes in our service areas (from Yellow to Orange or to Red) and will adjust agency policies accordingly. For more information, this chart includes greater details.  A planned suspension of some of our programs is in progress, based on a variety of factors to support our primary goal - maintaining 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 work together through this extremely challenging time. As of Monday, November 16, 2020, we suspended programming at several site-based Day and Respite programs. Thursday, November 19, 2020 was the last day of attendance at our certified Day Programs for all attendees. At this time, our day programs will continue to offer people virtual programming from their family homes. As of Wednesday, December 2, 2020, operations are suspended for the remaining day services and respite sites (please see related areas below). As of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020, we closed several of our site-based and recreation Respite programs, with the others being suspended as of Wednesday, December 2 (please see related areas below). 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 also posted on our website  ( next one  on Thursday, January 28, 2021 ).   Information for families is included in the most recent family letter ( English  and Spanish ). A special Coronavirus Phone Line has been established for families to call, 716.817.7445, and is checked and responded to directly.  An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is now available for the people and families of people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to express questions and concerns. The number is 716.529.6505.  A special email address has been established as well, so that concerns can be addressed at COVIDconcern@people-inc.org . Our Advocacy Phone Line is also available for people we support to ask non-emergency questions by calling 716.322.7070. Effective November 13, 2020 (Updated 11.20.2020) Program Type Details Residential Group Homes   Visitation at Group Homes A No Visitors Policy will be in effect as of Friday, November 20. Families can 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, people we support will need to have a negative COVID-19 test result within four days of returning.  Additional safeguards outlined in operational policy, will be reviewed in detail with family/person supported as part of the process.   Community Outings All community outings for People Inc. Day, Respite and certified Residential Programs were suspended as of Monday, November 16, 2020, until further notice. Senior Living Common Areas Supports continue. Community rooms will be closed until further notice. Essential visiting only. Affordable Apartments (Mixed Income/Tax Credit Apartments) Common Areas Supports continue. Community rooms will be closed until further notice. Essential visiting only.   Day Habilitation, Community PreVoc, CAPP, DHWW, YALT General Operations Operations at these programs are suspended as of Wednesday, December 2. Information is provided on the Day and Employment Classification Cluster Chart .* * At this time, our day programs will continue to offer people virtual programming from their family homes. 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. Information is provided on the  Day and Employment Classification Cluster Chart . 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 respite sites will be closed as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, November 20, 2020: After the Belle Afternoon Respite (Buffalo) After Work Respite (Depew/Lancaster) Buffalo Afternoon Respite (Buffalo) Del-Ton Weekend Opportunities (Tonawanda) Iris Afternoon Respite (Hamburg) Ken-Ton Afternoon Respite (Kenmore-Tonawanda) Late Afternoon Respite (Buffalo) Lockport Recreation Respite (Lockport in community programming) On Main and Grove Afternoon Respite (East Aurora) Orchard Park Weekend Opportunities (Orchard Park) Recreation Respite (Depew/Lancaster) Southtowns Afternoon Respite (Hamburg) TLC K-5 Afternoon Respite (Amherst) Themed Learning Club (Amherst) The following programs are suspended effective Wednesday, December 2, 2020: 1860 Buffalo Road Respite (Rochester) Northtowns Afternoon Respite (Lockport) 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 close as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020, until further notice. 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. 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. 

Family Alert: Important Message to Families of Loved Ones Supported Through our Day and Respite Services

PREPARE NOW FOR PROGRAM SUSPENSIONS The Western New York and Finger Lakes regions are experiencing a serious and significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases, some of the highest in the state. The trend is expected to result in the designation of an Orange Zone quickly, and potentially Red Zone thereafter. Our main concerns remain the health and safety of your loved ones and our staff. We ask you to join us in PREPARING NOW for suspension of our site-based certified day and respite programs AS OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 (as outlined in these resources – Program Suspension Day Programs and Program Suspension ).  Those day and respite programs are unable to operate under an Orange/Red Zone circumstance. Please make contingency plans now. You will be notified directly when the decision is made to suspend services for the location your loved one attends, and again as reopening occurs. Please anticipate future suspension of these services given community conditions. Temporary closure decisions may be made quickly, based on safety. Thank you for actively preparing necessary alternative arrangements. 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: A special Coronavirus Phone Line has been established for families to call, 716.817.7445, and is checked and responded to directly.  A new, afterhours Coronavirus hotline is now available for the people and families of people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to express questions and concerns. The number is 716.529.6505.  A special email address has been established as well, so that concerns can be addressed at  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org.    

November 5, 2020 Letter to Families

A new letter to families is available ( English  and  Spanish ). As always, People Inc. encourages you to stay in contact. A special Coronavirus Phone Line is available for families to call, 716.817.7445, and is responded to directly.  An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is available for the people, and families of people, enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to express questions and concerns. The number is 716.529.6505.  A special email address is available as well, so that concerns can be addressed at  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org. Families can also contact the senior residential supervisor at your loved one’s home.

November 5, 2020 People Inc. Offers Next Informational Session for Families November 23

Thank you to families who participated in our earlier conference call updates from agency management.  We have scheduled the next information session for families of the people we support for  Monday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. During this call, agency management will provide operational updates, projected plans and answer questions. Questions may be sent in advance, and during the call, to  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org , or texted to 716.868.9233. Given the anticipated volume of participants on the calls, this is the most effective way to have your question heard and answered.  RSVP to 716.817.7400 to receive the conference call number and access code. Please note: an RSVP is needed because even if the conference call phone number remains the same, a new unique access code is issued specific to each call.

Phased Reopening Update - Phase B

Please refer to the  Coronavirus section  for the most up to date communications. While many of our People Inc. services remained in full operation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to date, others were suspended or significantly altered. A planned and gradual reopening of our programs is in progress, based on a variety of factors to support our primary goal – maintaining 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.  Our reopening is reflected in lettered “phases” – Phase A, B, etc. – which may not, and are not meant to, correspond directly with the externally-issued government “phases." Progression, pause or reversal of our phases will be determined by our Emergency Management Team based on continual monitoring and regulatory guidance. Updates may be made rapidly as a result. Some phases may be brief in duration, but are important to pace through in order to ensure the people we also deeply care about are as safe as possible. We appreciate your support as we 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 also posted on our website ( next one on Monday, November 23) .  A special Coronavirus Phone Line has been established for families to call, 716.817.7445, and is checked and responded to directly.  A new, afterhours Coronavirus hotline is now available for the people and families of people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to express questions and concerns. The number is 716.529.6505.  A special email address has been established as well, so that concerns can be addressed at  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org. Our Advocacy Phone Line is also available for people we support to ask non-emergency questions by calling 716.322.7070. New York State New York State has released information regarding COVID-19 “cluster zones,” which are focus areas designated based on geographic case prevalence. The People Inc. Emergency Preparedness Team is proactively engaged in monitoring any potential changes in our service areas (from Yellow to Orange or to Red) and will adjust agency policies accordingly. For more information, this chart includes greater details. PHASE B – Effective July 15, 2020   Program Type Details Residential Group Homes   Visitation at Group Homes Prescheduled outdoor visits at group homes* between the hours of 9 a.m-9 p.m. with limit of 2 family visitors that have been pre-screened, and observe other safety precautions provided in advance. In-home visits can be arranged during inclement weather. Details are included in the most recent  family letter  ( English  and Spanish ) . *No visits will be scheduled at a location if a quarantine is in place. 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 Phased approach for return to group home begins with testing. Additional safeguards outlined in operational policy, which will be reviewed in detail with family/person supported as part of the process.   Community Outings Resume community walks, going to parks, drive-thru meals, in-person dining, in-person retail and community for haircuts, in accordance with any precautions established by those venues. Senior Living Common Areas Services continue. Community rooms will reopen on Monday, August 3, with reduced room capacity and social distancing. Communal patios are open with socially distanced guidelines and tenants cleaning before/after each use. Mixed Income/Tax Credit Apartments Common Areas Services continue. Community rooms and communal patios open with safety precautions/limitations in place. Day Habilitation/ Community PreVoc General Operations Some Day Services opened on a limited-basis . Please contact the Day Program director for further details. Information is provided on the Reopening Phases - Day Programs - Contact List . 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 Northtown Respite Center on Townline will be temporarily closed, for internal use as of Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Traditional respite services at Downing Respite are suspended, see Temporary Respite Center.   Temporary Respite Center General Operations Temporary Respite is available at the Downing Respite Center as a regional resource to care for people with disabilities who are COVID positive or recovering. Site-Based Respite General Operations Open 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 Recreation Respite open as of October 2020 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 of riding appointments will begin on Monday, August 3. Ombudsman Services General Operations Remote support, in line with operator’s visitor policies.  

Parent Network of WNY offers Virtual Meetings for Parents/Caregivers

Parent Network of Western New York is hosting virtual meetings and trainings for parents and caregivers of people with developmental disabilities. “Mask Wearing Tips,” the online meeting designed to provide families the tools to help children of all ages wear masks will be held on Monday, October 26, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. If interested, review the login procedure . For more information, contact info@parentnetworkwny.org or call 716.332.4170. The next “Family & Caregiver Group” meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 17, from 5:30 to 7 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.

October 14, 2020 Letter to Families

A new letter to families is available ( English  and  Spanish ). As always, People Inc. encourages you to stay in contact. A special Coronavirus Phone Line has been established for families to call, 716.817.7445, and is checked every hour 24/7 and responded to directly.  A new, afterhours Coronavirus hotline is available for the people, and families of people, enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to express questions and concerns. The number is 716.529.6505.  A special email address has been established as well, so that concerns can be addressed at  COVIDconcern@people-inc.org. Families can also contact the senior residential supervisor at your loved one’s home.