COVID-19 and SARAH Inc. Agency Updates

SARAH Inc. understands that the COVID-19 situation is an on-going concern and our Leadership Team is closely monitoring updates to the situation as they occur. We want to personally assure you that the health and safety of those we serve and our employees are our top priority.

For this reason, we are offering virtual services. KIDSTEPS Early Intervention Services is operational, working remotely, and accepting new referrals. The Adult Services programs are still providing virtual supports, but we are working towards resuming in-person services in phases.

If you have any questions about services and supports, please email marketing@sarah-inc.org.

Open communication is critical during these uncertain times. Until further notice we will be using this page to keep you informed about the state directives, as well as SARAH Inc. agency updates.

Information and Resources about the Coronavirus: 

With the holidays right around the corner the discussion of travel has been on everyone’s mind. Check out Connecticut’s most up to date Travel Advisory here!

11/6/2020 - Connecticut Rolls Back to Phase 2.1

Due to the increasing rate of COVID-19 in Connecticut, Governor Lamont has ordered the entire state to roll back to Phase 2.1 rules – a slightly modified version of the previously enacted Phase 2 rules – effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 6.  A comparison of Phases 2, 2.1 and 3 rules can be found below…” Read the rest here..

Check out the latest communication from Denise Henry, SARAH Inc.’s CEO. She discusses what our upcoming communication schedule will look like and features information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). 

This NDEAM we want to recognize Paul, one of the individuals we support at SARAH Inc. He is currently employed at The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, CT. Established in May of 2002, Paul is one of the original founding members of the crew working at the USCGA. He is always looking to develop new skills and regularly requests additional responsibilities. In 2019, Paul received a certificate recognizing him for his achievements and his position as Lead Crewmen.

10/7/2020 - Phase 3 Reopening Begins October 8th

“Phase 3 represents the latest stage of the Governor’s reopeing plan for Connecticut. There are very specific rules that will take place during this phase.” Check out the rest of the website for more information.

10/1/2020 - SARAH Inc.'s Resuming In-Person Adult Services hits Phase 2

October 1st marks the start of Phase 2 of our Resuming In-Person Adult Services plan. With the directive from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), we are moving to 75% capacity in our Adult Services programs. While we are excited to move forward, we want to ensure you that the health and well-being of those we serve and our employees are still our number one priority. We are following best safety practices and protocols laid out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of Connecticut. We look forward to seeing some more friendly faces! Read the full email including an update about KIDSTEPS services here!

9/1/2020 - Governor Lamont Extends Connecticut's State of Emergency in Response To the COVID-19 Pandemic To February 9

“Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed orders extending to February 9, 2021, Connecticut’s states of civil preparedness and public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally declared in March and scheduled to expire on September 9, the governor said that the states of emergency must remain in place in order for the state to effectively respond to the unprecedented and ongoing global pandemic.” Read the full statement here.

7/30/2020 - An Update for Dan Brill, Board of Director's President

“SARAH Inc. recently took the first steps to resuming in-person supports. I want to further thank our employees for the abundance of preparation work completed to create the protocols necessary to ensure the safety of everyone involved. While we are only in the beginning stages of resuming all SARAH Inc. in-person supports, know we will all continue to work towards a safe and enriching environment for the children, families, and adults in our programs. ..” Read the rest of the update here!

Friends of SARAH Inc.,

We are excited to announce several accomplishments here at SARAH Inc. This week, we entered Phase One of resuming in-person Enrichment Services. The first two days back at the programs have been successful and the individuals we serve are extremely excited to see their friends again.
 
The Employment Services programs have been slowly phasing back to in-person supports since mid-June, when the first group of workers returned to their jobs at the Coast Guard Academy. To date, more than 75% of those in the Employment Services programs are back to in-person supports.
 
I cannot thank the SARAH Inc. employees enough for the tremendous amount of work they provided to safely begin phasing back to in-person Adult Services. Countless hours have gone into developing and learning new safety policies and procedures, contacting families, preparing the program locations, and more. Although we are still working towards our “new normal”, we know we have taken the first steps in the right direction…
 

Read the full email from Denise Henry, CEO at SARAH Inc., about next week’s Phase One resuming of Enrichment Services. 

As we start phasing back into in-person services, we have received several questions from those we serve, families, community partners, and our employees. We took all those questions and put together a document to help provide you with the answers to the questions you might have.
 
Please take a few minutes to watch this video featuring Denise Henry, Chief Executive Officer at SARAH Inc., answer the most common questions we have received.
 
You can read the full FAQ document here! As an agency working in the COVID-19 crisis, we recognize that the situation is always evolving. We are staying informed and making decisions based on best practices and directives from OSHA, the CDC, and the State of Connecticut.
 

6/19/2020 - Resuming In-Person Adult Services Update

We are pleased to share our success in taking the first steps to resuming in-person supports in our Adult Services programs. Thanks to the hard work from the Employment and Enrichment teams, we began a planned transition towards the new normal.

Please take a few minutes to watch this video featuring Jen Kostek, Director of Employment Services, and George Reid-Perry, Director of Enrichment Services. They discuss timelines, safety protocols, and other topics related to fully resuming in-person Adult Services.

Connecticut has released a voluntary COVID-19 tracing platform called ContaCT.  

“ContaCT is Connecticut’s statewide voluntary and confidential software system for monitoring the health and wellbeing of people affected by COVID-19. ContaCT will aid Connecticut’s efforts to rapidly scale up our contact tracing efforts and infrastructure to help combat COVID-19 and enable the safe re-opening of the state. The information collected through ContaCT will be used to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in your community.” Finish reading about ContaCT here!

5/14/2020 - CVS Opens 12 New Drive-Thru COVID-19 Test Sites in CT

CVS has opened up 12 new testing sites that will utilize self-swabs. If you are interested in using these drive-thru locations, you have to register in advance at CVS.com. Read the full press release from Governor Lamont for more information.

The new drive-thru testing sites in Connecticut include:

  • CVS Pharmacy, 7 Durant Avenue, Bethel, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 905 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 3514 Main Street, Coventry, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 54 East High Street, East Hampton, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 875 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 2639 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 1057 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 479 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 150 Washington Street, Hartford, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 323 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 525 Buckland Street, South Windsor, CT
  • CVS Pharmacy, 1 Hawley Lane, Stratford, CT

5/12/2020 - Gov. Announces Sector Rules for May 20th Reopen

Governor Lamont announced that the first phase of reopening the state will begin May 20th. The first phase includes: restaurants, offices, hair salons and barbershops, retail stores, and outdoor museums and zoos. Lamont stressed that the decision to reopen is a choice for each individual business owner.

Documents containing the rules for the phase of reopening can be found at ct.gov/coronavirus

Governor Lamont announced the statewide expansion of the SkillUp CT ProgramThis program will provide free online learning licenses to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those impacted by COVID-19. Eligible CT residents will receive an email with instructions on obtaining a license to give you access to these skillsoft courses.

Learn more about this program and your eligibility here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-Announces-Statewide-Launch-of-Free-Online-Job-Training-Program

4/28/2020 - Resources for Children and Families

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis and the numerous school closures, many of you have found yourselves at home with your children. It can be stressful trying to keep your child informed and entertained, especially if you are balancing working from home at the same time. Check out these educational and fun resources to help answer their questions and keep them occupied during this crisis.

4/21/2020 - Medical Resources

The COVID-19 crisis has created several medical questions and is affecting us each in different ways. Please see the below medical resources available that can help answer some of the questions you are facing.

 

4/15/2020 - Resources for Your In-Home Needs

As we all continue to follow health precautions and maintain social distance it is important to keep things in the house running smoothly during these uncertain times. There are resources available that can help ease the hardships you are finding in your own home.

4/8/2020 - Connecticut Food Bank

The Connecticut Food bank is still open and operational. Check out the “Connecticut Food Pantry Locator” and the “Mobile Food Pantry Schedule” to stay up to date on available resources. The CT Food Bank is committed to providing nutritious food to those who need it. 

4/2/2020 - Free Prescription Refill Home Deliveries and All of Governor Lamont's Executive Orders

CVS, Rite AidWalgreens, and other stores are doing their part during the COVID-19 crisis. These pharmacies are urging individuals to stay at home and are waiving additional fees for those who need their prescription refills delivered.

During this crisis Governor Lamont has released several Emergency Orders which affect all of us in Connecticut. Check out this website for all of the Emergency Orders issued to date by the Governor.

3/24/20 - Resources and Programs to Help with Financial Burdens of Coronavirus

There are currently several programs and resources available to help with the financial burden during the COVID-19 situation. Check out these helpful information links:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, produced a resource guide about Social Distancing and Mental Health. These are uncertain times and everyone experiences things differently. Take a moment to read through these tips  and strategies on managing mental health in times of social distancing, quarantines, and isolation.

We understand that the current health situation in Connecticut is a significant concern for those we serve and our staff. We have not received a state directive to suspend services, but we do need to follow best practices to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. 
 
For this reason, effective Thursday March 19th, we are temporarily suspending all Adult Services. This includes Enrichment Services, Employment Services, and Community Supports. We are closely monitoring the situation and are planning to reassess by April 1. Read More!

The Green Mountain Self Advocates put together this helpful plain language booklet to help promote informational conversations about the Coronavirus. Check it out here: https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf

Read the following announcement from Denise Henry, SARAH Inc.’s Executive Director, regarding the well-being of those we serve and our staff. Denise also addresses the status of our agency’s programs. Until directed by the state SARAH Inc. programs will be operational.