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 EFFECTIVE JUNE 19TH:

We are very pleased to share the news that as of Friday, June 19^th, we are able to have visitors to our certified residential homes.  The Residence Manager of the home where your family member lives will be reaching out to discuss the some of the guidelines that we have established which incorporate OPWDD guidance. The health and safety of the people we support and our staff remain our top priority.  We want to work together with our families to encourage visits and also keep everyone safe and healthy.  We are strongly encouraging that all visits occur outside, whenever possible.  This is a major part of keeping people healthy. We have established the following guidelines and expectations, in keeping with OPWDD guidance:

• All visits must be arranged in advance. We are requesting that you speak with the Residence Manager directly to arrange a visit.  Whenever possible, we are requesting 24-hour advance notice.
• All visits should take place between the hours of 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. This will enable our staff to care for the everyone’s needs as well as provide appropriate cleaning and disinfecting.
• To reduce density, only one visit can occur at a time. No more than 3 visitors at a time outside and no more than 2 visitors at a time inside. Visitors should be from the same family or household.  Visitors must be 18 or older.
• When possible, it is best practice that visits should take place outside. We will make sure there is a place to sit and will ensure that tables are covered with plastic tablecloths for easy cleaning.  If an indoor visit is conducted, it must be in a single bedroom.
• All visitors to the home will undergo a health screening and a temperature check prior to the visit. Please note that if any visitors report any COVID-19 exposure or symptoms during the prior 14 days, or have a temperature over 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, they will not be allowed to visit.  If you or any person planning to visit with you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please do not come to the home!
• Upon arrival to the home, visitors will be expected to wash their hands and/or use hand-sanitizer.
• All visitors are required to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth during the visit. While we ask that visitors bring masks, we will also have them available.  Any visitor who refuses to wear a mask will be asked to leave.
• If visitors wish to have a meal with their loved one this must occur outside. Masks can be taken off to eat, people must be seated 6 feet apart, and no food can be shared.  Masks will need to go back on immediately following the meal.
• We are asking that visits be no longer than 2 hours. This will allow our staff sufficient time to clean and disinfect prior to other visitors.  Please be considerate of other families.
• Visits remain prohibited anywhere except within sight of the home and cannot include sitting in a non-agency vehicle or leaving the premises unmonitored by staff. If you are interested in walking with your family member to an area out of sight of the home, please speak with the Residence Manager and we will make every effort to accommodate this.
• At this time, no one who lives in any of our residential homes has been diagnosed with COVID-19. If this changes, we will be restricting visits to any home where a person with a positive diagnosis is present.  Additionally, we will temporarily suspend visits if a staff member from the home tests positive.

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this crisis.  We look forward to continued partnership and cooperation as we move into the next phase.  We’ve been informed by OPWDD that they will be evaluating visitation over the next few weeks.  It is our hope that over the next few months, the people we support will be able to engage with their families and communities as all of us can.

Suspension of Individual Community Outings and Home Visits

OPWDD is issuing the following guidance regarding visitors to IRAs, CRs and Private Schools

Immediate Temporary Suspension of Day Program Services

We truly appreciate your partnership and cooperation in our efforts.  We would be happy to assist you in “visiting” with your family member through Skype, FaceTime or a similar method.

During this time of social distancing, we want to be a resource for you and your family.  Below is a list of of fun things you can do at your home free of charge!  Make sure to check back regularly as we continually update the list with ideas and activities to keep people active and engaged! 

FUN STUFF TO DO AT HOME

RECENTLY UPDATED! Looking for ideas to keep busy, have fun, and stay engaged? CLICK HERE

NEW!!! 6/15/20 Check out  this short film featuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!  ONE QUESTION: If you could change one thig about yourself, what would you change?   Visit our YouTube channel playlists which feature everything from music to recipe ideas for the whole family 

NOW is the time to experiment with your inner chef! Learn how to have Fun With Food or try your hand at Baking! 

Tour the globe from your living room!  Ireland?

Outdoor games with no equipment needed! Just click here!

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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.

CLICK HERE FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES