COVID-19 NEWS & RESOURCES

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTIAL

• COVID-19 Residential Activities Reference Guide - https://www.cpunlimited.org/uploads/media/Residential_Activities.pdf
• COVID-19 Resources and Activities for Residential - https://www.cpunlimited.org/pdf/COVID-19-resources-activities.pdf
• Simple Activities and Ideas to Engage People You Support - https://www.cpunlimited.org/pdf/strategies-to-help-with-being-stuck-at-home.pdf
• Resources and Insights from The Child Mind Institute regarding Supporting Families During COVID-19 - https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/

HELPFUL EMOTIONAL RESOURCES THAT STAFF AND VISITORS MAY FIND BENEFICIAL:

• Keys to Success While Working at Home: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1298567&tp_key=2f3e8cc06f
• Managing Anxieties Fears and Concerns: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1291736&tp_key=5d5d655479
• Resilience in Challenging Times: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1298569&tp_key=a354121052
• Mindfulness and Stress Management: https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/climb-mindfulness-podcasts.html

CITY RESOURCES FOR THOSE STRUGGLING DURING THE CORONA VIRUS CRISIS

Food Assistance Resources

• If you are in need of emergency food access, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777. You can also call 311 to find a local food pantry or kitchen by you. There is no income limit or requirement for emergency food access. To learn more about emergency food, visit access.nyc.gov/programs/emergency-food-assistance/.
• New York City school children have access to three free meals a day through the Department of Education. There are 400 locations for meal pick-up around the city. No registration, ID or documentation is required but meals must be eaten off premise. Pick up locations can be found at www.opt-osfns.org/schoolfoodny/meals/default.aspx.
• Seniors ages 60 or older in need of food can contact the New York City Department for the Aging to secure home-delivered meals. Seniors are asked to call 311 or visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dfta/services/in-home-services.page.
• For those enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you can now shop online for produce and groceries to be delivered to your home. EBT cards can be used online for ShopRite, Amazon and Walmart. SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay delivery fees.

Housing Resources

• The City of New York's COVID-19 Hotel Program provides free hotel stays to eligible New Yorkers who cannot isolate where they live and frontline workers in the healthcare industry who wish to reduce the risk of transmission at home. This will help New York City stop the spread of COVID-19. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/helpnownyc/get-help/covid-19-hotel-program.page

• If you are experiencing domestic violence call 911 during an emergency. Additionally, to speak with a counselor, you can call the NYC Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-621-4673 or 866-604-5350 if you are hearing impared. 
• If you are at risk of becoming homeless during the coronavirus crisis, call 311 or visit www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase.page. 
• For those enrolled in the NYC Housing Preservation and Development Section 8 voucher program: If you are having trouble paying rent because of loss of income, email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov. 
• If your work schedule has been reduced and you’re having difficulty coming up with the money for rent, you can apply for the Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for an emergency like this. If you already have an active Cash Assistance case, submit a request online at a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/. For those yet to apply and are looking for a one-time grant, you can call the HRA Info line at 718-557-1399.

Unemployment Resources 

• The 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits has been waived for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines. 
• Visit labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm to apply for unemployment benefits.
• Additionally, you can call 888-469-7365 Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Education Resources

• If you are an essential worker, your child may be eligible for Regional Enrichment Centers, a place for them to go while you are at work. The enrollment form can be filled out at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDNFMOezuG9mCu99utf3dkloTpdEhzBB1ancwlaeT3ny7uEQ/viewform. 
• To learn more about the Regional Enrichment Centers, visit schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/regional-enrichment-centers. 
• Free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi is available to households with K-12 students and college students who do not already have a Spectrum subscription. Installation fees will be waived. Call 844-488-8395 to enroll. 
• To apply for a free device for remote learning, call 718-935-5100 (press 5).
• All after school programs have been closed.

Mental Health Services

Call 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), text ‘WELL’ to 65173 or visit NYC.gov/nycwell to speak with a trained mental health counselor. 

STATE RESOURCES

COVID-19 Interim Guidance Related to General Management of COVID-19, Staffing Guidance, Respiratory Illness, and Article 16 Clinic Management

OPWDD has released the below interim guidance related to General Management of COVID-19, Staffing Guidance, Respiratory Illness, and Article 16 Clinic Management:

• Staff Guidance for the Management of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Facilities or Programs Operated and/or Certified by OPWDD
• Respiratory Illness in Residential Settings – Presumption of COVID-19
• General Management of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Facilities or Programs Operated and/or Certified by OPWDD
• Article 16 Clinic Management of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Community Outing and Home Visit Guidance

OPWDD has released the below interim guidance related to Community Outings and Home Visits:

Suspension of Individual Community Outings and Home Visits

Coronavirus Guidance for OPWDD Service Providers

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is providing guidance to caregivers, families, and State/Voluntary provider agencies which provide services or support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Department of Health 24/7 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065

• Management of Coronavirus/COVID-19 in OPWDD Family Care Homes
• Covid-19 Phone Notification Requirements for OPWDD Providers Effective 03/17/2020
• OPWDD Guidelines for Implementation of Quarantine and/or Isolation Measures at State-Owned and Voluntary Providers in Congregate Settings
• Visitor poster issued by DOH

Guidance on Telehealth

• Coronavirus Preparedness Act
• Comprehensive Telehealth Guidance (Vol. 36, No. 5)
• Find more guidance on COVID-19 at the following link:  https://opwdd.ny.gov/news_and_publications/coronavirus-guidance-opwdd-service-providers

OPWDD Interim Guidance Regarding Site Visits (3/13/20)

• Click here to read the document.

NYS DOH Information for Providers

• Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19
• A comprehensive list of resources from the DOH. 

Updated Information and Guidance on status of Direct Support Professionals
From OPWDD and SED:

Direct Support Professionals are essential and integral employees to OPWDD’s provision of services, and that is especially true during this public health emergency. OPWDD has remained in close consultation with our partners at the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department, as well as with those at the federal and local level, to ensure the health and safety of all staff.

In guidance issued by the NYS Education Department, found at:  Additional Guidance on Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak in New York State  – March 17, 2020, DSP’s are classified as essential health care workers:

“Essential health care workers may include licensed health professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, LPNs and nurse assistants or laboratory personnel and direct support professionals. First responders may include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, and firefighters.”

As you know this is a rapidly evolving situation. Please check the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Novel Coronavirus webpage for frequent updates.

COVID-19 Information from NYEIS including the use of telehealth

• Interim Guidance for Home Care Services Regarding COVID-19
• Guidance to Early Intervention Providers
• Consent for the use of Telehealth during COVID-19 emergency

COVID-19 Toolkit for Direct Service Providers

https://nadsp.org/covid-19resources/?fbclid=IwAR3_aN3We_-o1eWw0JDxr6bKxIQq81Un0RaaxGqWeoubxej89gfT680Bf88

Self Care Resource Video for DSPs during a crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL95EsnLFuo&feature=youtu.be

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