• OPWDD officials continue to meet with staff from the Governor’s Office on a daily basis and are getting information out through the provider associations as well as guidance being centralized through the DOH website.

• This evening, OPWDD has released a comprehensive document which includes information and guidance to providers on the following issues:
• Agency preparedness and prevention techniques
• Quarantine and isolation guidance for staff
• Quarantine and isolation guidance for individuals with I/DD
• Reporting and notification requirements for OPWDD providers

• OPWDD currently does not have any guidance from DOH on restricting face to face interactions between care managers and provider, staff/families. This is part of a larger policy that is being considered which will affect many agencies which have a similar dynamic (For example, Office of Children and Family Services restricting Child Protective Services visits). OPWDD expects further guidance on this issue will be released in the coming days once a comprehensive policy can be established for all agencies. 

• In an effort to accurately catalogue issues and concerns, OPWDD has asked that agencies direct their agency-specific questions to their Regional Office directors who will then elevate the questions centrally to senior staff at OPWDD for follow-up. Systemic questions that affect all providers should be directed to the NY Alliance and other provider association representatives who will then raise them with State officials on the calls that are taking place every other day with OPWDD. If you have an question/issue that you believe is systemic and applicable to all providers that should be raised on the calls with OPWDD officials please contact Ryan Cox at rcox@nyalliance.org. 

• Providers should continue to follow the guidelines for visitation outlined in the letter from Commissioner Kastner here.