Aspire of WNY Statement on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dear Family and Friends of Aspire & Our WNY Community Neighbors,
As we continue to sail into uncharted waters, I want to continue to assure you that we are working diligently to anticipate the many needs of the individuals we serve. At this time, there continues to be no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus at any Aspire locations. I ask that you utilize this webpage as your source for information regarding the services and programs within our organization.
Please see below for a list of resources to help you better navigate some of the issues related to COVID-19.
Currently, the New York State Department of Health recommends the following steps to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
We will update this page regularly in an effort to keep you informed. Thank you for your continued support.
Stay safe and be well,
Renee A. Filip
President and Chief Executive Officer
Resource Links
The following are useful links to help people have ease of access to important COVID-19 information: (Last updated 3/17/2020)
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
- World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/
- Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/
- Erie County Department of Health: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=coronavirus
- John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/
- New York State Education: https://www.nysed.gov/
- Office for People With Developmental Disabilities: https://opwdd.ny.gov/
- Office of Child and Family Services: https://ocfs.ny.gov
Statistical Information:
- St. John Hopkins’s COVID-19 Interactive Map: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
- CDC Data at a Glance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html#2019coronavirus-summary
- Department of Health – Positive Cases By County: https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
OPWDD-Specific:
- All OPWDD-issued information related to COVID-19 can be found here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/coronavirus-guidance
- COVID-19: Interim Visitation Guidance for Certified Residential Facilities
- Have you traveled to a country for which the CDC has issued a Level 2 or 3 travel designation within the last 14 days?
- For OPWDD certified programs: Visitor Poster Issues by Department of Health
- DDAWNY (Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York): https://www.ddawny.org/coronavirus-updates-information/
School-Specific:
- School (PreK-12) Guidance: COVID-19 (3/9/2020)
- Interim Guidance for Administrators of Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- If there is a COVID-19 case related to a school, the school will be contacted by the State Health Department in consultation with the local health department. If a school has general questions about possible contacts and preparation related to COVID-19, they should contact the State Health Department at 1-888-364-3065 or the local health department https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/
- The first step in preparing for widespread community transmission in schools should be the review of the district’s all- hazard emergency plans. More information on this is in the NYSED Guidelines for Managing Emergency Health Care and Communicable Disease in Schools.
- Multiple federal agencies have developed resources on school planning principles and a 6-step process for creating plans to build and continually foster safe and healthy school communities before, during, and after possible emergencies. Key resources include Guide for Developing High Quality School Emergency Operations Plans and the companion guide The Role of Districts in Developing High Quality School Emergency Operations Plans.
- When to keep your child home from school.
- Schools should provide adequate facilities for hand washing and promote proper hand washing before meals, after recess or physical education, and other times, as appropriate. See, NYSED information on hand soaps, hand cleaners and hand sanitizers which is available at NYSED Memo: Handwashing Recommendations and Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Use in Schools.
CDC / WHO / DOH / Miscellaneous Resources:
- COVID-19 in the U.S. (at a glance): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance
- WHO COVID-19 Dashboard: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd
- WHO Critical Preparedness and Response Plans: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/critical-preparedness-readiness-and-response-actions-for-covid-19
- CDC offers several free handwashing resources that include health promotion materials, information on proper handwashing technique, and tips for families to help children develop good handwashing habits.
- The CDC has workplace resources such as posters with messages for staff about staying home when you are sick and how to stop the spread of germs in the workplace.
- School and workplace prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf
- Other health and education professional organizations may also have helpful resources your school can use or share. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides information on germ prevention strategies and reducing the spread of illness in child care settings.
- The CDC has provided information on cleaners that are effective in combating COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products.
- Travel Health Notices
