COVID-19 Update
July 20, 2020

OPWDD Revised Safety Plan Template
The Office for People  with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) revised the COVID-19 Safety Plan for Certified Day Program Reopening Template.
 
Revisions to the Safety Plan template include:
  • addition of a text box to identify the anticipated reopening date,
  • updated language in the transportation guidance to conform with the July 16 revisions to the "Interim Guidance Regarding the Reopening of Day Services,"
  • removal of the language, "To the extent they can medically tolerate one, support individuals to wear masks in vehicles." This has been replaced with, "social distancing must be maintained for individuals who cannot tolerate wearing a mask and, when possible, such individuals should be transported alone or with members of the same household."
Please ensure that you are using this version prior to submitting the document to OPWDD.
 
OPWDD Memo on DSP Increases
 On July 16, OPWDD published a memo announcing that the January 1 and April 1 2020 salary increases for 100, 200, and 300 level CFR codes would take effect. The funds must be used for salary increases in accordance with the implementation plan that all providers must develop. 

Reminder: Register for NYDA Discussion with Sen. Gillibrand Today 
Today is the last day to register and submit your questions for the panel discussion  with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Disability Advocates on Thursday, July 23 at 11:30 am. Topics to be discussed include current negotiations for a possible stimulus bill, an update on the New York state service delivery system, the current provider fiscal situation, and anticipated OPWDD cuts.

Click  here to register and submit your questions for the panel by end of day today. 
 
This and all related updates will be cataloged on  The Arc New York COVID-19 Resource Page   for future reference. Please contact us if you have questions regarding any of this information.

 
CONTACT: 
Josh Christiana , Associate Executive Director for Quality, Compliance & Chapter Relations

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