April 2 COVID-19 Update
This message includes

  • Child care centres available to essential workers, including disability services staff 
  • CSS has committed to ongoing videoconferences with service providers 
  • April 1 Service Provider Partnership Committee meeting: addressing systemic issues, PPE 
  • New AHS resource for congregated living 
  • ABNN flash survey: understanding the impact of COVID-19 and what the nonprofit sector needs 
  • New COVID-19 ACDS email contact: COVID19@acds.ca
Child care centres are available to disability services staff
Yesterday the Government of Alberta announced that the child care centres that have been selected to reopen, are now available to all essential workers. This means that your staff working in essential services to support individuals with disabilities, are now eligible to access these centres.


Videoconferences between CSS officials and service providers will continue every two weeks
We were pleased that after significant advocacy efforts related to the need for direct communications between provincial and regional Community and Social Services (CSS) officials, and community disability service providers, videoconferences will continue every two weeks. If you have not received these invitations to videoconference, please contact ACDS or your regional chair to be connected. Thank you to the Service Provider Council chairs for coordinating the scheduling.  

ACDS continues to connect daily with John Stinson, ADM to address ongoing challenges and issues. As well, the Service Provider Partnership Committee is continuing to meet weekly.
Service Provider Partnership Committee meeting, April 1
Yesterday’s meeting included some initial discussions regarding systemic issues that are becoming transparent through the current crisis, many of which were previously raised through the PDD review and consultation processes, including in recent
discussions regarding sustainability. The committee will continue to advocate that, 
although the current stresses on the service delivery system are highlighting areas for future change, continuing to address these challenges in a strategic and consultative manner and not a reactive one, will ensure the best possible services for individuals with disabilities.  

Other issues addressed include, the continuing challenges regarding PPE including both access to training resources and adequate supplies, challenges regarding access
to Vulnerable Sector checks for new or ongoing employees, and first aid training access issues. The Ministry is following up on these issues and will bring back updates.
New resources related to COVID-19
Alberta Health Services has created a Quick Reference Guide for Congregate Living Sites
 
ABNN Survey deadline tomorrow: Impact of COVID-19 and the needs of the nonprofit sector
The Alberta Nonprofit Network ( ABNN)  and associated organizations, have launched a  Flash Survey  to better understand the impacts of COVID-19 and what the nonprofit 
sector needs. The deadline for the survey is tomorrow, April 3 at noon. The aggregate results from this survey will be shared with their government partners (including the Ministry of Culture and Premier’s Council) and funder and will also help the sector adjust and prioritize. We encourage members who are able, to complete the survey.  
New COVID-19 contact email
ACDS has created a new email address for all communications related to COVID-19. Any questions, resources, and other communications can be directed to COVID19@acds.ca.
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Alberta Council of Disability Services