In light of the current health crisis facing our communities, RMS understands that the individuals we support, as well as their families and loved ones, may have questions about the services we provide and our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy. We have been receiving daily communication from the State of CT Department of Developmental Services, which serves as an ongoing guide to navigating this evolving situation. In addition, we are making every effort to remain aware of and follow all CDC, state and federal guidelines.
Please be assured that RMS continues to be committed to providing consistent, quality, positive supports to those we serve. Our leadership team is communicating daily to address a wide range of issues, including:
- maintaining appropriate levels of staff coverage in our programs
- triaging health concerns to ensure they are addressed in the safest and most appropriate manner
- ensuring the availability of needed medical, household, and grocery supplies
- identifying those in independent living who rely on food pantries and providing supplemental food
- supporting our staff to remain well-trained and to provide continued quality services
- communicating routinely with our workforce to with current information, direction and guidance
- providing guidelines to our staff for communicating with individuals about the COVID-19
RMS has also received tremendous support from our communities, for which we are very grateful. Thanks to: Litchfield Distillery, LaBonne’s Oliver’s Market, The Big Dipper, MidState ARC, and the friends and family members of our employees who are sewing cloth masks for us. As so many are saying, “We will get through this together”!
Please see the following note from our executive director and some guidelines we have adopted as an agency:
How to talk to the people we serve about the Corona Virus
Safe practices Common Areas 3.25.20
Below are some helpful general links:
Guidance we have received from DDS:
https://portal.ct.gov/DDS/General/COVID19/COVID-19-Updates-for-DDS-Providers
A notice from DDS regarding visitation in our programs:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DDS/COVID-19/FINAL_EO_7_Implementation_Order_3_17_20.pdf?la=en
Information for Individuals and families provided by DDS:
https://portal.ct.gov/DDS/General/COVID19/COVID-19-Updates-for-DDS-Individuals-and-Families
General information from the CT Department of Health:
Helpful information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html