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An Update from Advocates Life Skills and Learning Center 

 

Welcome spring and warm sunshine! Recently, even more friends joined us back at Advocates Life Skills and Learning Center! As of April, 65% of our members have returned to in-person services. Those participating in remote services are highly encouraged to join our daily Zoom programming. It is always good to see friends!

Eight new staff members recently joined the day services team, and we're excited to have them on board! As more friends join us in person, we are working closely with our recruitment team to highlight day services job openings.

With the warmer weather, exciting opportunities are on the horizon! We are eager to start tending to our community and program gardens, volunteering at Unity Farm, and having more fun day excursions.

Many individuals in our employment program have returned to work, while others are beginning new adventures. To help our friends stay educated about COVID-19 protocols, we're offering a new training program focused on social distancing, mask wearing, best ways to greet and interact with peers, and more.

We continue to work closely with our funders and sister agencies to secure the future of day services. We don’t anticipate changes to our social distancing requirements any time soon, thus not allowing for many more friends to rejoin us on site. Remote services will likely end at the end of 2021, when the state of emergency is complete. With enhanced funding for day services concluding at the end of May, we appreciate any outreach and advocacy to express the continued need for additional funding to continue to provide day services and support the staff that care for your loved one.

 

 

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth Bardasz
Senior Director of Developmental and Brain Injury Day Services

 

DAY SERVICES OPERATIONS

Update brought to you by Stephen Robery, Operations Director

With the addition of new treadmills and recumbent bikes in our fitness center, our friends are staying active at Advocates Life Skills and Learning Center!

We're excited that one of our nine program vehicles will soon be upgraded, allowing for more opportunities to get out in the community as the year goes on.

We appreciate your continued flexibility with varying pick up and drop off times at the program. The state continues to accommodate transportation requests for our members, while adhering to guidance which includes approval for double runs to accommodate as many members as possible.

 

NURSING CORNER

Update brought to you by Emily Donahue, Senior Healthcare Coordinator / RN

All adults in the state of Massachusetts are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage everyone to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated, and reach out to your primary care provider with any questions or concerns. Visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to search for and schedule an appointment. Although we aren't able to coordinate vaccinations, we are happy to direct you to resources on the state's website. Visit https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine for the most up-to-date vaccine information, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Has your loved one scheduled their vaccination appointment?
  • Please notify us and provide a copy of the vaccination record

  • Due to potential side effects, we ask all individuals to stay home to rest the day after receiving a dose of the vaccine

Travel Guidelines

If your loved one is fully vaccinated, they no longer need to quarantine or get tested for COVID-19 before departing and after returning from a trip. Please continue to fill out the day services travel form and send it to Liz and me prior to traveling, alongside a copy of the vaccination card if we don't already have it.

About the Life Skills and Learning Center: Through our Day and Employment Services at the Life Skills & Learning Center, Advocates staff partners with adults who have disabilities and their families to customize experiences and activities uniquely suited to each person’s interests, skills, needs, and goals. Learn more at www.Advocates.org/LSLC.

Source: 
Advocates