June 18, 2020 OPWDD Issues Interim Visitation Guidance for Certified Residential Facilities

OPWDD issued a series of health advisories regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance for Certified Residential Facilities in March of 2020. Accompanied by strong infection prevention and control requirements, these policies aim to safeguard and maintain the health and wellbeing of residents and staff, while containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 during the State’s initial growth phase of the pandemic. After the successful efforts of New Yorkers to flatten the curve and reduce virus transmission, OPWDD recognized the need for sustainable visitation policies for certified residential facilities for the next phase of the public health emergency. The visitation program for certified residential facilities will be instituted June 19, 2020. After evaluation by OPWDD, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and participating certified residential facilities, this guidance may be modified. All facilities opting to allow visitation under this guidance reserve the right to impose additional restrictions, upon notice to and approval by OPWDD. Additionally, any facility opting to allow visitation under this guidance reserves the right to cease participation and end visitation access while visitation restrictions otherwise remain in place, upon notice to OPWDD. You can sign-up online to receive the  latest updates from OPWDD via email or check the OPWDD website frequently for  information relating to COVID-19 .

June 18, 2020 Phased Reopening Update

While many of our People Inc. services remained in full operation throughout the COVID pandemic to date, others were suspended or significantly altered. A planned and gradual reopening of our programs is anticipated, based on a variety of factors to support our primary goal – maintaining a safe and healthy environment for 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 June 30 ). 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 special email address has been established as well, so that concerns can be addressed at COVIDconcern@people-inc.org. PHASE A – Effective June 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. Details are included in the family letter . *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 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/individual as part of the process.   Community Outings Resume community walks, going to parks, drive-thru meals and community for haircuts.   Senior Living Common Areas Services continue, Community rooms and communal patios presently closed Tax Credit Apartments Common Areas Services continue, Community rooms and communal patios presently closed Day Habilitation/ Community PreVoc General operations Day program buildings* are presently closed. Supports being provided remotely. (*exception, some space at 181 Lincoln) Employment services General operations Community-based employment supports have continued, following employer/placement’s status. Limited Contract Manufacturing operational at 181 Lincoln location. Free-standing Respite General Operations Traditional respite services presently closed. Sites redirected as a regional resource to care for people with disbilitilies who are positive and are recovering.     Site-Based Respite General Operations Presently closed. In-Home Behavioral General Operations Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in place. Community Habilitation General Operations Continued uninterrupted operations, with precautions in place. 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. Ombudsman services General Operations Remote support, in line with operator’s visitor policies

June 17, 2020 Phased Reopening Plan to Come

People Inc. is continuing to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. We will release our Phased Reopening Plan by Thursday, June 18, and post it in this "Coronavirus Update" section.

June 16, 2020 People Inc. Offers New Informational Session for Families June 30

Thank you to families who participated in our conference call updates from agency management over the past couple of weeks.  We have scheduled an additional information session for families of the people we support for Tuesday, June 30 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.

June 15, 2020 (rev July 22, 2020) Letter to Families

June 15, 2020 (rev July 22, 2020): A new letter to families is available ( English and Spanish ). 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.

June 10, 2020 People Inc. Offers New Informational Session for Families June 16

Thank you to families who participated in our conference call updates from agency management the first week in June.  We have scheduled an additional information session for families of the people we support for Tuesday, June 16 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.

June 9, 2020 People Inc. Featured in June 8 Edition of The Buffalo News

At People Inc., the people we support and our staff will always be our highest priorities. Our direct care staff are frontline heroes caring for thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of whom have complex medical needs. Though the article showcases statewide numbers, they are not at all reflective of what is happening in WNY group homes, where the numbers are drastically less. People Inc. continues to practice many precautions and follow guidelines by regulatory organizations to promote safety. We’re fortunate to have implemented many technologies into regular routines to keep people virtually connected, until more direct visits are safe. Our Direct Support Professionals are doing an exceptional job! 

June 9, 2020 Parent and Caregiver Group Virtual Meeting on June 12

Parent Network of Western New York is hosting virtual meetings for parents and caregivers of people with developmental disabilities. These meetings will take place on Fridays, June 12, 19 and 26, 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.

June 3, 2020 New Information Regarding Informational Sessions for Families in June

Thank you to families who participated in our Residential Services conference call update Tuesday evening, June 2. Our Wednesday night call on June 3 will focus on Day/Employment Services, and our Thursday night call on June 4 will focus on Community Based Services. All calls are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. In order to best facilitate addressing your questions, please send any questions you may have about the conference calls to COVIDconcern@people-inc.org , or text to 716.868.9233. You can do this in advance of the calls, and even during the calls. Given the volume of participants on the calls, this is the most effective way to have your question heard and answered.