What you need to know about -> covid-19
How to stop the spread of germs -> stop the spread
COVID-19 testing in NY-> https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing
Explaining the virus to individuals with special needs -> lets talk covid 19
Information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency > https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/
COVID-19 VACCINATION: Who is eligible, how to schedule an appointment, and other vaccination resources, CLICK THE LINK BELOW
Vaccinating Children with Disabilities Against COVID-19 | CDC
OPWDD
- “COVID-19 In Plain Language,” a document available in multiple languages that explains how the virus is transmitted and how to stay safe and stop the spread.
- A series of short videos posted on the OPWDD website that explain the key elements of remaining healthy in the age of COVID-19: Proper Handwashing, Social Distancing, Wearing a Mask, All About COVID-19, and How to Greet Friends and Family.
- COVID-19 “Protect Yourself and Others” Poster & Palm Card
All these materials are accessible from the COVID-19 In Plain Language resource page on the OPWDD website. All of them are designed to provide clear, understandable information to the people we support.
In addition, we have created training materials for staff to use to help educate people about how they can keep themselves safe which are attached to this email. I hope your staff will find them to be useful for themselves and as they interact daily with individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. I ask that you make these available to all your direct support professionals and their supervisors.
Thank you for all you do every day and for your support in making these materials available. Working together, we will ensure that the people we support, their families and caregivers, and our direct support workforce, are armed with the information and skills they need to remain safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Theodore Kastner, M.D., M.S.
Commissioner
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.
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.
Keeping Busy at Home / Residential Setting
- At home workouts visit http://www.ymca.org
- Children’s interactive games, stories, and videos http://www.amnh.org
- Kid friendly video about germs & disease https://youtu.be/uXXrSGRI_U4
- Adult Recreational Activities Residential Activities
- Virtual Dance Lessons hype up
Mental Health Services
- Call 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), text “WELL” to 65173 or visit http://NYC.gov/nycwell to speak with a trained mental health counselor
- managing_stress_anxiety
- COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline 1-844-863-9314
If you are an agency in need of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities may be able to help. Contact Tom@IACny.org for more information!
COVID-19 Accessible Resources for People with Disabilities Microsite
New Resources Posted!
American Sign Language (ASL) Videos are now available!
Easy to Read/Simplified Text documents are available.
Click here to learn more and to access these files.
More Braille resources have been posted.
Click here to learn more about Braille resources and how to request embossed braille documents.
Webinars and Trainings Archives have been updated.
Click here to visit the Webinars & Training page to access archives.