ACDS COVID-19 Update: March 26
This message includes

  • Schedule of upcoming virtual meetings between CSS and regional stakeholders 
  • New Public Health Order issued March 25: Guidelines on use of PPE. New requirements around common spaces and programming, and more
  • ACDS, ALIGN and ECVO initiative: navigating the web of benefits and resources available to you 
CSS Regional Stakeholder Meetings
As I shared in  my message  to you yesterday, we have been successful in advocating for stronger, and more direct communication between Community and Social Services (CSS) and service providers. One outcome is that CCS officials, John Stinson and Jason Chance will schedule virtual meetings along with regional PDD representatives, with each Service Provider Council. 

The following schedule was shared with us this morning. If you have not yet been invited for any one of the upcoming meetings, please email Alison at  alison@acds.ca and she will facilitate a meeting invitation on your behalf.  

North Central/North East: March 27, 9 am – 10 am
South: March 27, 11 am –12 pm
Edmonton: March 30, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Calgary: March 30, 11 am - 12 pm
Central: March 31, 2 pm – 3 pm
Northwest: April 3, 2 pm – 3 pm
New Public Health Order Issued March 25
As we learned yesterday, COVID-19 cases have been identified in a PDD group home. CSS and AHS are currently supporting that organization, and a new public health order  was released yesterday which applies to all licensed supportive living facilities. The new order further extends the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
The Public Health Order (see Appendix A) includes details of the operational protocols pertaining to: 
  1. Symptom notification and response 
  2. Enhanced environmental cleaning 
  3. Shared spaces 
  4. Entry and re-entry to building 
  5. Routine practices and additional precautions: including guidance on PPE use 
  6. Communication: licensed facility operators are asked to review Alberta Health Services' website daily 
  7. Access to supplies: contact Provincial Emergency Social Services to advise them of your PPE needs at PESSECC-LOGISTICS@gov.ab.ca

For any questions about the application of these updated operational standards, licensed facility operators should contact Alberta Health:  asal@gov.ab.ca

In addition, please continue to report issues and concerns about the new measures to me at  andrea@acds.ca  
Government Benefits and Initiatives
ACDS, ALIGN Association of Community Services (ALIGN), and the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO), have collaborated to bring individuals, businesses and non-profits a listing of various, relevant federal and provincial government services and benefits to-date, in response to COVID-19. The resource also includes a listing of non-profit resources and initiatives in response to the pandemic.  
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Alberta Council of Disability Services