COVID-19 UPDATE: January 21, 2021
Dear Cantalician Community:
I hope this finds everyone healthy and safe as we enter
the New Year. Unfortunately, 2021 is already testing our ability to be
resilient during this unprecedented time in history. We start the year with sad
news as our school team mourns the loss of one of our students who tragically
lost their life and the life of two of their family members this week. Be
assured that Cantalician Center for Learning (CCL) will do whatever it can to
provide resources and assistance to the family as well as our staff and
students who knew him. If 2020 has taught us anything, it's to persevere during
times of hardship.
I want to welcome our new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Robert Martin to the CCL Team. With the appointment of a new CFO and hard work from the finance and leadership team, we were able to get our 2021 budget completed and approved by the board. Based on the results of the budget process, we have made the decision to discontinue providing Early Childhood Community Services (Early Intervention Evaluations and Related Services) due to inadequate reimbursement from Erie and Niagara County. Sadly, the wisest fiscal decision causes a reduction of services. We are no longer accepting new cases and plan to honor all of the commitments made to anyone receiving services through April 2, 2021. I'd like to take this time to thank Mary Albert, Coordinator of Early Childhood Community Services and her team of dedicated professionals for delivering exceptional services.
On a more positive note, CCL continues to provide
children and adults with much-needed services even as the County remains
designated as an "Orange Zone." The following is an update for each department:
Education
Services
As mandated by New York State in order to remain open for
hybrid learning, our school nurses were trained to administer COVID-19 tests
before the holiday and began testing students, teachers, therapists, and
support staff this month. Our positivity rate continues to remain below the
suggested average for remaining open. We will continue to assess the numbers on
a weekly basis and will report any cases as required by the Erie County
Department of Health (ECDOH) and the New York State Department of Health
(NYSDOH). Effective February 1, 2021, we are introducing the use of new entry
and exit procedures for visitors through a new main office and we will begin
using the Raptor Visitor Management System. The system scans all U.S. government-issued
drivers and non-drivers identification cards to ensure that sex offenders,
violators of law, people with retraining orders, etc. are not permitted from
entering our building. We are excited to increase the safety and security for
everyone at Cantalician. More details regarding the new main office and Raptor
System will be sent out this week.
Day
Habilitation Services
Under the guidance offered through the Office for People
with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), our Certified Day Habilitation
Services at 2039 George Urban Boulevard, Depew, NY have been suspended until
the county moves back to a "Yellow Zone." Staff members are working to support
people who receive services through remote opportunities. At this time, Day
Habilitation Services Without Walls is able to continue to operate in-person,
but must limit its outings in the community (Feed More of WNY and
Drive-Thru/Curbside) and only 10 people are allowed in a group at a time.
Employment
Services
Since the start of the pandemic, Team DLS has continued
to work hard to ensure that services are being provided and the needs of its
customer base are fully met. Like Day Hab, people receiving support through our
OPWDD funded Employment Services are also being limited to a 10 person group maximum
with many also receiving job exploration and skill building opportunities
remotely until Erie County returns to a "Yellow Zone" or better.
Daycare
Services
Our Daycare currently remains open to our staff members
and to families/caregivers in the community that utilize this service. At this
time, these Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) services are not
impacted by the "Orange Zone" designation for the county.
Safety
Our Covid-19 Response Team and Safety Committee continues
to hold regularly scheduled meetings to assess the needs of our entire
organization and pays very close attention to State, Federal, and County
regulations and how they guide our plans for reopening each service area of our
organization.
Lastly, some very exciting news! CCL's staff members are
eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in phases 1A and 1B of New York State's
Vaccination Program. Details on how to schedule an appointment have been rolled
out through Human Resources. If you are on the fence about getting the vaccine,
check out a former Cantalician parent who is also the Medical Director at
Jericho Road's East Side Clinic who participated in a COVID-19 Vaccine Town
Hall about the safety of the vaccine. Go to https://youtu.be/iTV1Q-4-rSU or
find the video that has been shared on our social media pages. I know this
really helped me make a more informed decision.
Please continue to monitor your email for updated
information regarding our services. If you have any questions, please feel free
to reach out to [email protected]
Thank you all for remaining positive and understanding
during these very difficult times. I look forward to a day where COVID-19
doesn't consume our thoughts and conversations.
All the best,
Anne Spisiak
Executive Director
