In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, we are understandably afraid and uncertain. There are three things that we will do to reassure you and protect your health, safety and financial security:
We will remain open to support you unless we are told by DOH BEI, NYC or NYS not to do so,
We will provide you good information that will help you make rational decisions regarding whether or not to provide services but will never pressure you to continue services if you feel it is unsafe, and,
We will pay you in-full and on-time for all the valid services that you have provided or will continue to provide in the near future. If we are forced to close by a lockdown ordered by NYC or NYS or we determine we need to close temporarily to prevent long-term financial damage to our organization, we will not do so until you are fully paid.
All who have worked with us throughout the 17 years we have been in early intervention know that we are a caring, reliable and financially stable partner to all. We intend to be so throughout this crisis and beyond.
Guidelines for Interventionists, Evaluators and SCs
Services Should Continue as Mandated. Based on DOH BEI letters of March 11, services are expected as mandated. We are not being advised to stop early intervention services as of this email. In light of this fact, here are additional reminders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community:
Do not bring toys to the homes. Use what's available in the homes. This will reduce the possibility of transmitting the COVID-19 to other families. Do continue to sanitize the toys that you used before and after leaving regardless of whether it was a toy you brought or borrowed from the home.
Submit Notes and Reports Via Electronic Means. Submit all notes, documents, evaluations and reports by scanning and uploading to Providersoft or sending via fax or by scanning and attaching to a secure email.
Obtain Consents to Email. Please obtain consent to email from your parents. This will allow all of us to communicate with parents via email without violating privacy regulations.
For SCs, Please Limit Face-to-Face Visits. The Department of Health will allow meetings via conference call starting March 16. SCs are advised to complete other activities via phone or conference call within reason. If signatures need to be obtained a short visit or the use of postal mail should be explored.
Please Limit Visits to Our Office. We love seeing you but until further notice, we will not be having in-person appointments or walk-ins at the office unless absolutely necessary.
Please use email, telephone, emailing scanned documents, fax, slipping documents under the door, etc. We are here for you! Our phone number is (718) 239-8239, and you can also reach us by email or through our website www.abckidsny.com.
Our Office Employees Will Work From Home. Starting March 16, we will limit exposure to our office staff to infection by implementing a staggered work-from-home schedule. During the transition, you might encounter difficulties reaching us as we work on the kinks that we will surely encounter. Do not be alarmed, we will continue to be here for you.
NYC DOH Recommendations
The NYC Department of Health has issued several recommendations on how to help stop the spread of the virus:
Stay home if you are sick, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, like your cell phone.
Avoid touching surfaces with your hands that others may have touched. Use your sleeve or a paper towel.
If you are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath and traveled to an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or if you have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider. Your provider will work with the Health Department to determine if you need testing.