Please read below for continued alerts pertaining to COVID-19, and make sure to check back frequently for new updates as they are made available.

As we continue to respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please be assured that we are taking a proactive approach to protect the health and wellness of the people we support and our staff. The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has suspended some services, as listed below. Please visit the links to learn more about suspension of services. We will continue to communicate any and all updates with you.

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR RESIDENTIAL VISITATIONS:

As you are aware, in mid-March OPWDD restricted community outings for people living in certified residential facilities, including visits to family homes. On Friday, July 10th, OPWDD released guidance lifting the restriction on home visits, effective July 15, 2020. We are thrilled that your family member will now be able to visit with you away from the residence, including overnight visits. As we have since the beginning of the crisis, we will need to work together with you to continue to safeguard the health and safety of the people we have the privilege of supporting, and our staff.

We need your assurance that social distancing, use of masks and other face covering, meticulous attention to hand washing, and proper cleaning and disinfection will be practiced. You must contact the home at least a day before when possible and speak with the Residence Manager to set up the home visit.

To minimize possible risk during any off-site visit, exposure to members of different households and to public places, in general, should be done with caution and on a limited basis. Good hygiene must be practiced and safe social distancing should be maintained, whenever possible. Consistent with Executive Order 202.17, masks must be worn in public whenever social distancing cannot be maintained, to the extent they can be medically tolerated.

An individual may participate in family visits only if he/she is not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, is not under any quarantine or isolation requirements, and passes a health screen and temperature check immediately prior to leaving the residence. Our staff will share additional expectations regarding parameters for home visits, and transportation to and from visits. You will be expected to complete a Home Visit form prior to departure and upon return to the residence.

The agency reserves the right to prohibit, limit, restrict or discontinue any visit for failure to adhere to the standards outlined above or has the potential to put individuals or staff at risk.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership, patience and understanding as we work to provide supports and services for your family member in these unprecedented circumstances.

As we get ready to welcome people back to Day Hab, we invite you take a moment to view this short video made by Arc’s own DSP, Jon Nagy, from Community Hab.  Community Hab resumed services in June, and as you can see, this video illustrates the precautions we are taking and the opportuities we are providing so everyone, staff and those we serve alike, can have a safe, healthy and meaningful experience.

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Arc of Onondaga is one of the largest providers of services to people with developmental disabilities in Onondaga County serving over 1,000 people and their families, and employing over 500 people. With nearly 40 different sites throughout Central New York, Arc provides a wide array of opportunities including residential, day, employment and recreation programs and services.

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