Coronavirus Update from PathWays CEO Eddie Yongo In light of Governor Wolf’s Stay at Home order, and in light of the fact that the spread of the coronavirus has accelerated, I wanted provide an update on how PathWays has been affected. All 67 Pennsylvania counties are now under a Stay at Home order through April 30. All individuals in counties subject to this policy must stay at home except for certain essential activities and work to provide life-sustaining business and government services. For more information, including a list of what activities are considered essential, please click here. As the situation with the coronavirus quickly evolves, the health and well-being of our staff, individuals, and their families continue to be our first priority. We have implemented appropriate measures to combat the spread of the virus and we have a dedicated, fully mobilized response team in place, who are taking guidance from the CDC, PA Health, and ODP during this challenging time. We are required to strictly comply with the rules communicated by these agencies. The following is the current situation in relation to each of our programs and departments: - Residential Services – We are operating as usual, with extra safety precautions and a process of monitoring staff and visitors for illness.
- Agency with Choice – is operating, although partially scaled back.
- Adult Training Services – Both centers in Washington and Greene County are temporarily closed to individuals; a number of staff have been reassigned to assist in our Residential Services and Agency with Choice programs.
- Early Intervention – We have initiated tele-therapy for the families who are interested. The continuation of Early Intervention is important, in order that families feel supported, less alone and less isolated.
- Rainbow’s End Learning Center – On March 13, Governor Wolf announced all public schools and day care centers in Pennsylvania were to be closed for two weeks, and since that time, the closure has since been extended indefinitely. We applied and received a special exempt Child Care centers waiver from OCDEL for both centers in Washington and Greene to provide childcare services to families who are deemed essential. We reopened to those families on Monday, March 30th, 2020.
- Your Child’s Place – Effective March 20th, 2020 the director of Home Health at the department of health directed a mandatory temporary closure of all Pediatric Extended Care Centers.
The guidance is clear that social distancing helps slow the spread of this virus. With careful adherence to these safety measures, we can help to overcome this crisis together. I know that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for everyone, and we must all, more than ever, remain united. Please check yourpathways.org/COVID for additional coronavirus updates from PathWays. Sincerely yours,  Eddie Yongo | |
