For the first time in nearly 150 days, our day programs will be open next week when we welcome a small cohort of day hab participants to Lawrence and Chelmsford!
The last five months have been an incredible period for all of us at LifeLinks CLASS.
We’ve listened to our Care Champions.
We’ve connected with our families and caregivers.
We’ve consulted with fellow provider agencies.
We’ve followed guidance from federal and state agencies.
We’ve completed training to build our skills in infection prevention and containment
All of this insight, collaboration, and action has driven our agency’s pandemic response plan that has been rooted in proactive steps aimed at promoting the health and safety of our community. Remember, we suspended day programs, required face coverings, and offered hand-washing training prior to the release of state requirements.
So, at the risk of sounding self-serving, I don’t mind saying that I think we’re doing a heck of a job! ???
But hey, don’t just take my word for it! Our most recent round of surveillance testing conducted at nearly every group home just this week recorded zero positive tests! In fact, we haven’t recorded a single positive COVID-19 test in six weeks! ? ?
And remember – WE NEVER CLOSED! Our 16 group homes are staffed 24/7 and are home to nearly 100 individuals. Our nurses and clinical teams are providing essential medical care to individuals where they are. Our Family Support Center is actively serving more than 300 families throughout the region. Our family support and day program specialists have run more than 1,000 virtual programs since day programs were suspended.
The bottom line is that our organization is rooted in doing things for each other; this isn’t novel for us. It’s what makes us all Care Champions! While it’s easy to focus on tangible policies and procedures, I am especially proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past few months…
We’ve learned from each other.
We’ve supported each other.
We’ve stayed home and avoided crowds for each other.
We’ve donned masks for each other.
We’ve been there for each other.
This includes all of you – staff, families, caregivers, individuals, public officials, Directors, and supporters. So on Monday, remember we aren’t just resuming day hab; we’re taking another step forward as a LifeLinks CLASS team…and we’re doing it #ForEachOther.
We’re thrilled to participate in the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce TEAMS Fundraiser, a virtual community event supporting the nonprofit community in Greater Lowell.
The reality is, we’ve incurred significant costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including PPE, cleaning supplies, technology products and services, and increased staffing costs. We also were forced to cancel our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Kentucky Derby Party.
While the entire LifeLinks CLASS team has risen to the COVID-19 challenge, our Care Champions need your support!
And in true LifeLinks CLASS fashion, we’re collaborating with our individuals to create some truly amazing and creative auction packages…
Old World Wine Basket
Generously donated by our Board of Directors, this wine basket is truly special! Curated by the sommelier at Wine Sense, these are truly high-end wines that can pair with an incredible meal. Value: $400
LifeLinks CLASSY Artwork
One word to describe this artwork: PRICELESS! Our individuals are so creative, and all money raised by this item will be used to purchase new art supplies for our day programs. Value: Priceless
Edelman Autographed Helmet
He may be catching passes from a new QB this year, but he will go down as one of the greatest receivers in Pats history! His career arc is inspiring! This comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA) and would look great on anyone’s shelf! Value: $500
Bird Autographed Basketball
They don’t call him “Larry Legend” around here for nothing! Larry Bird personified the 80s Celtics team, and his memorable battles with Magic Johnson and the Lakers in the old Boston Garden are iconic to this day! COA included. Value: $300
Best Patio Set on the Block
Here is our featured item, and it’s your COVID-19 oasis! Picture this on your patio…
It’s okay if you don’t want to purchase an item, you can always just make a small donation on the site. Let’s show the entire region how much we love our LifeLinks CLASS Care Champions! Silent auctions are fun, but there can only be one winner for each item, right? Every gift helps!
“Kara and I log onto their Zoom classes seven days a week. I don’t know what we’d do without them!”
Care champions at work! We loved reading about the impact of the LifeLinks CLASS Family Support Center growing virtual calendar alongside Bridgewell and Riverside Community Care in yesterday’s Boston Globe! Read the full article here.
LifeLinks CLASS has been faced with some incredibly difficult decisions in these past few months — decisions that greatly impact our staff and the individuals that we support. As part of The Arc of Massachusett’s #DontCutUsOut campaign, it is imperative that we act fast to ensure the continued funding of our services and supports for the I/DD community.
“Adults with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other intellectual and developmental disabilities served by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will lose services if funding and policies don’t meet the requirements of the re-opening period and thereafter.”
Richard Faucher, a passionate advocate, voiced his concerns to our local legislators in the letter below:
Good Afternoon,
As you know Life Links has been a rock-solid DDS contract provider for many years. For the Cadillac of providers to lay off 140 employees, it will have a devastating effect on services whether it is day or group home services.
There is no question other providers are going to have to lay off employees and maybe close down permanently. It is estimated some of these laid-off employees will seek employment at places paying more than $15 an hour thus leaving a huge void in the provider ranks when and if things return to some kind of normalcy.
As an advocate, I urge you to see what you can do to make sure there will be funding in the next budget to continue the great services providers give to our most venerable population.
Some facts affecting those below if funding and policies do not meet the re-opening time frame and future needs.
+ 10,000 persons who receive day and employment services
+ 9,000 individuals in congregate living
+ 1,300 new students in transition from high school to adult life
+ Additional persons receiving Mass-Health services
(these are stats from the ARC of Mass)
Not that I have to remind you all, but the Department of Developmental Disability (DDS) generates more funds back to the general fund than any other agency in the Commonwealth.
On a personal note: My brother Pete who lived in a group home in Tewksbury passed away on May 13, 2020. His passing was not from Covid-19 but other complicated medical issues. He was a fighter up to the end. He died at the age of 69, a little less than 3 months before his 70th birthday. I mention this for one reason only. Many years ago in the 50’s the life expectancy was I think less than 40-50. If it wasn’t for our families great gene pool AND the outstanding support by legislatures like yourselves who cared for the developmentally disabled throughout those years and passed legislation supporting the needs of the population giving DDS and the providers the tools to do their job, Pete would not have lived as long. The Commonwealth has come a long way, but this situation we are in today reinforces more than ever the need to fund the DDS.
Thanks so much for letting me vent…I wish you and your families stay healthy and safe..
Earlier today Governor Charlie Baker announced that Phase 3 of the Reopening Massachusetts plan, which includes day habilitation and community-based day and employment services, will commence on Monday, July 6. Many of you – including staff, family, and caregivers – have already reached out to me in the hours since the press conference to ask how that impacts LifeLinks CLASS.
While we are very excited to provide these opportunities again for your loved ones, we cannot lift the day program suspension on Monday, July 6. We are still awaiting formal compliance and attestation guidance from EOHS and DDS that we need to meet before we are able to resume day programs.
After convening the COVID-19 Task Force this afternoon, here is what we know:
Day program providers must submit a comprehensive re-opening plan in compliance with requirements that have yet to be released by EOHS and DDS
Transportation plans that include “infection control strategies and maintenance of physical distancing while transporting participants” must be approved prior to re-opening.
Limitations on the number of staff allowed in the facility will impact the type of supports we are able to provide.
All day programs will operate at a reduced capacity once they are approved to be open in order to ensure proper social distancing and adherence to infection protocols.
As you can see, there is a lot to do before we are allowed to lift the suspension of day programs at LifeLinks CLASS. The task force has been working on a reopening plan and policies and now must align that plan with the soon-to-be-issued re-opening components from EOHS and DDS. We are pushing forward and will keep you informed of our progress.
But again, because of this, we CANNOT lift the suspension on Monday, July 6.
The guidance we did receive today emphasizes that day providers are encouraged to continue day program services remotely and through alternative, non-group methods when appropriate and feasible. While the task force pursues approval to re-open suspended programs, our incredible staff will continue to provide virtual services and supports in place of our facility- and community-based programs.
As much as we’d love to see you all again, we have to do this right. As I’ve said since we first made the decision to suspend day programs, we cannot re-open facilities until we as an agency can ensure the health and safety of our participants and staff.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and more to come!
I wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July! Be well.
