Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff Members: 

Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in our local community, there is a change to the information that have previously provided to you that we feel is important to share. 

The local Department of Health now is making notifications in writing only to people who have tested positive for COVID-19. They are no longer investigating and notifying people who may have been exposed to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19. 

We have consulted directly with the local Departments of Health, and they are advising that the very best way for you to keep yourself safe, your family safe, and the people for whom you care safe, is to assume that anyone you encounter may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus at this time. We realize that may sound frightening, but please recognize that all of the guidance we are receiving daily from our Governor, our Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is designed specifically to help you protect your safety and that of others. 

We are providing you with a summary of what we discussed during our most recent call with the Department of Health, because we believe it is the very best way to help you to avoid bringing viruses into your workplace or back into your home with you. 

• Stay home and do not get close to anyone else if you feel any symptoms of illness or fever, and call your doctor right away. Employees also should call our Human Resources COVID-19 hotline at  if they are ill or have been tested.Never go to work sick516-686-4486
  
  
• Engage in self-isolation to the greatest extent that you are able, and practice heightened hygiene: People in a non-healthcare or service delivery role should work remotely whenever possible. Avoid all non-essential outings and gatherings, and remain home with your immediate family. If you do go out, always remove your shoes when you get home and wash your hands for 20 seconds immediately upon arrival. Handwashing is especially important before touching your face, as this is the number one way to introduce viruses into your system.
  
  
• Practice social distancing & infection control: This means maintaining a distance of at least six (6) feet between you and others, except with members of your immediate family, or when directly caring for someone. Use the infection control measures that you are trained to use, if you work in a job that requires hands on care of another person. 

The safety of everyone who we support, our employees and their families is of the highest importance to us at all times, but most especially during this national emergency. We are strong and we are all in this together. Together, we will get through this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Stanfort J. Perry
Executive Director