March 20, 2020

We are trying to keep the community calm during this very stressful and uncertain time. Our staff has been excellent. We will make it through this challenging time, and I continue to be thankful for the great leaders we have at all levels of the organization. 

There is no playbook and many points we need to change our practices or perhaps our decision from the hour before because of changing circumstances. 

We are being told many things and we are trying to balance various tensions. We have to place temporary restrictions on certain things.

Click below about restrictions placed on Residential Visitors.

 https://conta.cc/2J5CVZU

March 17, 2020

Dear The Arc of Rensselaer County families,

In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has directed all providers to temporarily suspend operations of site-based day programs beginning today, March 17, at 5 p.m. At The Arc of Rensselaer County, these closures include Brunswick Center Services, Community Inclusion Project, and Riverside Community Supports. 

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in any of our programs at this time.  We continue to monitor all guidance from local, state, and federal agencies and will stay in close communication with you about our response as the situation develops. 

We realize the impact suspension of our day programs has on the people we support,  our families, and staff; however, it is critical we take action to limit the spread of illness. We appreciate your understanding as we work together to ensure the health and safety of our community.

We are making every effort to minimize the disruption of services and the emotional impact of evolving restrictions for the people we serve under unprecedented circumstances.  You will be receiving phone calls from Program Staff and Managers, keeping you advised of the situation.

The Arc of Rensselaer County continues to emphasize best practices for infection control at all our sites.  We are actively working with The Arc New York, OPWDD, and state and local health departments to develop response plans and procedures that prioritize the health and safety of our families, individuals and staff, while minimizing disruption of essential services.

All of us at The Arc of Rensselaer County remains committed to serving our families in these challenging times. If you have concerns about meeting the immediate support needs of your loved one, please reach out to your Program Contact  and we will work to identify alternative solutions.

We thank you for your continued patience and partnership.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Mullin

Chief Executive Officer 

March 11, 2020

To The Arc of Rensselaer County’s Workforce,

We know some of you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) and how it may impact us here at The Arc of Rensselaer County. Ensuring the people we support are safe and healthy is our greatest concern.  We do not currently have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Chapter. To help reduce the transmission of communicable diseases in our programs, we are implementing recommendations from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, we need your help to support this goal.

In order to make sure that the people we support and our dedicated staff remain safe and protected from exposure, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is requiring providers to ask three screening questions of all visitors to our programs at this time. The screening consists of three questions that all visitors will be required to answer prior to visiting any of our programs. They include:

1. Have you traveled to a country within the last 14 days for which the CDC has issued a Level 2 or 3 travel designation?;
2. To your knowledge, have you had contact with any Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, OR with anyone known to have COVID-19?; and
3. Do you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g., cough, accompanied by fever of a 100.4 or greater, or shortness of breath/ respiratory issues)?

As a staff member, you should also ensure you are answering these questions for yourself and to contact your supervisor if your answer to any of these questions becomes a “YES”.   If you are displaying a fever of 100.4 with any of the associated symptoms identified in number 3, we ask that you stay home and contact your doctor or UCM. The current guidance is to call before going to a doctor’s office.  UCM has communicated that they are preparing for an increase in the number of calls and are making arrangements for pick up or mobile testing for people.

I am asking that all employees and individuals supported by The Arc cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases in the workplace.  Employees and individuals are reminded of the following.

• Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your mouth with tissues whenever you sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash
• Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms
• Clean frequently touched surfaces / shared items within the household
• The flu is still the most prevalent concern, if you haven’t gotten a flu shot –consider getting one.
• Even if you are not sick, stop sharing personal items, food, phones etc

The information on COVID-19 is ever-evolving; the guidance from The Arc NY and OPWDD to formulate a response to control the transmission of COVID – 19 is updated daily.   We will continue to update our information as it comes in.

We will be posting information to our www.renarc.org website as information becomes available.

Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Mullin

Chief Executive Officer

For general information regarding the Coronavirus please see this page

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

If you have traveled in the last 14 days here is a resource for important information

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices