Hello
As the holiday period rapidly approaches, we want to thank friends and families of the people we support for your ongoing support and understanding throughout the Pandemic. This year has presented challenges, adversity and dilemmas that most of us would have never expected to face. Nowhere has this been more obvious than in the limitations and restrictions that have been necessary for family visits and interaction.
While the holiday season is normally the high point of the year for many of us with parties, dinners, and celebrations, we know that this will not be a typical holiday season. Provincial and Regional governments have advised that we all stay within our own households and connect virtually or in other ways that reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Even though in recent months there has been a drastic increase in numbers for COVID-19, we are fortunate in Chatham-Kent to remain at the YELLOW-PROTECT level in the Provincial Risk Framework. It is important to note that in this framework, our Agency is only permitted to facilitate visits to our Accommodation Support homes by those categorized as Essential Visitors.
The Province defines an Essential Visitor as a person who:
- Performs essential services to support he ongoing operation of a service agency; and/or
- Considered necessary to maintain the health, wellness and safety, or any applicable legal rights, of
a congregate living resident.
The guidelines state that this may include a parent or guardian. Community Living Wallaceburg supports the stance that family visits promote the emotional health and wellbeing of the people we support and serve an irreplaceable role as we continue to fight through the Pandemic. The designation of Essential Visitor, however, does not extend to all friends or extended family members.
Our goal is to continue to facilitate visits with Essential Visitors for as long as it is safe to do so. In order to continue with these visits, the Agency has implemented policies and procedures to minimize the potential risk of virus transmission. These include active screening, specific protocols around physical distancing and mask-wearing while within an Agency-owned home and very specific requirements while participating in an off-site visit with the people we support. Your understanding and adherence to the measures that we have put in place are crucial to the health and safety of your loved ones, their housemates and our employees. It’s also important to know that should Chatham-Kent increase to a higher level on the Provincial Risk Framework
off-site visits may need to be paused, as we did in August.
Some of the people that we support will be visiting family homes through the holiday season for day visits. The Agency will support these visits only if the people involved in the visit are Essential Visitors and members of their immediate household. While it may be tempting to invite extended family or friends to visit; this kind of action is precisely what our Public Health Officials and Government are asking us not to do. It’s critical that families participating in those visits understand and agree to abide by this requirement.
Please remember that we serve a vulnerable population. The decisions we (and you) make through the pandemic, impact not only ourselves and our immediate family members – but also our friends, co-workers, Agency employees and vulnerable housemates. None of us want our Christmas dinner to be a cautionary tale. This is not a normal holiday season. Please stay strong, stay committed, and follow all the precautions and measures that we have put in place to all be safe and get through what’s left of the Pandemic.
The health and wellness of the people that we support is our highest priority. Should you have any questions around family visits please contact Roger Romses, Director: Community Living Support Operations at 519-627-0777 ext. 2557.
Best Wishes for a safe and healthy Holiday Season and all the Best in 2021.
Deborah Hook
Executive Director
Roger Romses
Director: Community Living Support Operations