COVID-19 and Community Living Guelph Wellington

Important: This page will no longer be updated as of May 31, 2022 unless a significant COVID event happens. If you are not currently receiving emails from CLGW, or you need to update your email address, please contact annieknight@clgw.ca to be added to our distribution list.

Please check here for the latest updates related to COVID-19 and services provided by Community Living Guelph Wellington.

Helpful resources

COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities [PDF]

Coping with Stress during COVID-19 [PDF on WHO website]

The Role of the DSP and the Coronavirus: https://youtu.be/ud4Q4e_hcuw

Updates will be posted in chronological order, and should be read from the top down.

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April 5, 2022

Hi everyone,

As you might be aware, COVID community spread is pretty intense right now. While the province has continued to open up public spaces and reduce COVID prevention measures, we are experiencing the very real impacts of that here at CLGW.

We are seeing a very concerning upward trend in COVID isolations. Currently, we have more than 30 employees off. To put that into perspective, that’s just over 160 shifts needing to be covered over a 7-day period. These numbers do not include employees who are on leave for other reasons. We also have three outbreaks in our residences. We are managing all of that, all while resuming Day Services, Passport for people living residentially and EmployMEnt Options this week.

We are definitely in a tough spot and we need your help to manage these next few weeks.

What we are doing to manage the situation

Supervisors and Scheduling are working around the clock to ensure we have staffing in place to meet our support needs. That does mean we are still deploying people to different services and residences to fill the gaps. In some cases, Supervisors have been bridging this gap.
We are working closely with two staffing agencies to bridge gaps.
Our focus is on getting good people into our locations that are trained and can provide direct support. We continue to aggressively recruit for all shifts to help make this happen.
Admin and Managers have been assigned to locations to lend a hand. Their support could look very similar to how auxiliary staff were used early in the pandemic for locations that are short staffed. Also, we have had a few volunteers come forward to support in a similar way.
Only when absolutely necessary, we have and may approve work-home isolations for employees who have tested positive. This is on a case-by-case basis with our residences, and additional precautions are put into place. Any work-home isolation is approved and closely monitored by Ladonna, our IPAC Coordinator, alongside the Supervisor/Service Manager, and Public Health is notified.
Emergency Response Committee has increased their meeting frequency to ensure we’re being as responsive as possible to the current state of our staffing issues.

How you can also help!

If you’re a person supported with scheduled support, and you or someone in your household has COVID symptoms: let us know.
- If you attend Day Services, please do not attend.
- If you have scheduled support with Passport, SIL or EmployMEnt Options, we will reschedule for when it’s safe to do so.
- If you’re a visitor to one of our locations, do not attend. Let’s reschedule when it’s safe to do so.
Continue to do regular COVID screenings. Checking yourself for symptoms is the first line of defense.
We are strongly discouraging any activities that are crowded, where physical distance cannot be maintained, or if the person cannot wear a mask.
- We understand that some of the people we support do not tolerate wearing a mask. We also understand that some people cannot physically distance well. This makes them more vulnerable to COVID.
Wear a mask outside of CLGW. The infections we’re seeing and able to track are mostly originating from community activities. Wearing a mask will give you an added layer of protection, and it may also encourage those around you to do the same.

Important: if you have a family member living residentially with us, consider if they could come live with you for a couple of weeks. We are not yet at a point where this is necessary but having a family member home would help ease some of our staffing levels as we manage this sixth wave.

While this may be a difficult update to receive, we felt it was important to give you a sense of where we’re at. We are committed to providing excellent service and we look forward to seeing our staffing levels improve in the next few weeks.

Thank you for your patience, collaboration, and support as we manage this next wave.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

April 1, 2022

Hi everyone,

You received an email last week that our services are resuming. We’re excited for this!

We know that this is an exciting time, and no matter which one of our services you are connected with, let’s keep conversation going. Please keep your Direct Support Professional in the loop if you’re feeling unwell, or if someone in the home may have COVID. While CLGW has implemented and will do our very best to keep you safe, we also need you to help us keep others safe too.

Day Services

What to expect:

Day services is reopening for the cohort that was attending in December 2021.
We continue to focus on getting supports in place for those who have had little to no support from CLGW. That includes prioritizing community-based families with this re-opening.
If you are in a congregate setting, like a CLGW residence, you will continue to be supported at your residence.
Transportation to Day Services remains the responsibility of those attending.
Guelph, Fergus, Mount Forest and Harriston Day Services will operate from 9am-3pm, Monday through Friday (except for holidays).
Erin Day Services remains on a reduced schedule, Tuesday-Friday from 10am-3pm, until we can put at least one more support person in place.
Day Services will be in full-day blocks to start.

How we are keeping you safe:

We are still limited to 10 people, including Direct Support Professionals.
COVID screening before coming to CLGW
All physical distancing and preventative measures remain in place from December 2021. That includes designated spaces, hand washing routines, and wearing masks.
DSPs will be wearing masks and other PPE to keep themselves safe.
DSPs are using Rapid Antigen Testing to monitor for illness.
DSPs are fully vaccinated.
We will plan to do as much outdoor activity as we can.

How you can help keep others safe:

Please screen for COVID before your attend.
Wear a surgical/medical mask upon arrival. When you arrive, we will provide you with a clean surgical/medical mask to swap to.
Participate in routine hand washing and stay within your designated space.
Continue to physically distance, including as you’re coming into Day Services, and when you’re leaving.
Do a Rapid Antigen Test twice a week to monitor for COVID (CLGW will provide the tests).
If you are not feeling well, whether they are COVID symptoms or not, please do not come to Day Services. Contact your location to inform them that you will be absent.
- Guelph: 226-314-0881
- Fergus: 226-314-1097
- Harriston: 226-314-1091
- Mount Forest: 226-314-1096
- Erin: 226-314-0790

EmployMEnt Options

What to expect:

Direct Support Professionals will job coach according to restrictions/guidelines set in the workplace
We will advocate to make sure the person feels safe and knows their rights.

How we are keeping you safe:

COVID screening before planned support.
DSPs will be wearing masks and other PPE to keep themselves safe.
DSPs are using Rapid Antigen Testing to monitor for illness.
DSPs are fully vaccinated.

How you can help keep others safe:

Please screen for COVID before your planned support.
Wear a surgical/medical mask.
Let us know if someone in your household tests positive (or if you’re unwell).
Do a Rapid Antigen Test twice a week to monitor for COVID (CLGW will provide the tests)

Passport

What to expect:

Direct Support Professionals will plan according to what is provincially allowed, and what is Passport admissible.
We will talk through all risks/safety measures when planning.

How we are keeping you safe:

COVID screening before planned support.
DSPs will be wearing masks and other PPE to keep themselves safe.
DSPs are using Rapid Antigen Testing to monitor for illness.
DSPs are fully vaccinated.

How you can help keep others safe:

Please screen for COVID before your planned support.
Wear a surgical/medical mask.
Let us know if someone in your household tests positive (or if you’re unwell).
Do a Rapid Antigen Test twice a week to monitor for COVID (CLGW will provide the tests)

CLGW, like other disability service providers, will have longer-lasting PPE and IPAC requirements than the general public.

These safety measures will remain in place until at least April 27th, 2022, as is the direction from Public Health and MCCSS for congregate living settings.

As always, if you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to your Direct Support Professional or the Supervisor connected to your service. We’re here to work through any questions.

Looking forward to seeing quite a few faces next week!

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

March 22, 2022

Hi everyone,

As you recall from our February email, we had been managing difficult times for staffing, illness and leaves at CLGW. While we were seeing some improvement, we were also making sure that our staff had the appropriate time to rest and prepare for resuming our suspended services.

I’m excited and eager to share with you that we’ve set re-opening dates.

Day Services

Our Direct Support Professionals will be giving you a call to see if you plan to return at this time. We will continue to provide services in cohorts until we hear otherwise from Public Health and MCCSS. We will also continue with masking, physical distancing, and our other safety measures to ensure the wellbeing of the people attending and our staff.

Guelph
Re-opening Monday April 4^th for people supported attending Day Services at 8 Royal Rd..

Anyone who was receiving one to one support prior to our pause in services will be contacted the week of April 18^th to plan for resuming one to one Day Services support.

Fergus
Re-opening Tuesday April 5^th.

Mount Forest
Re-opening Tuesday April 5^th.

Harriston
Re-opening Tuesday April 5^th.

Erin
Re-opening April 5^th with a temporarily reduced schedule.
Tuesday through Friday from 10am-3pm each day.

We currently only have one DSP able to support Day Services in Erin. We are working towards getting at least one more in place to return to full hours.

Passport in CLGW residences

Resuming Monday, April 4^th.

EmployMEnt Options

Resuming Monday, April 4^th.

We do really appreciate your patience as we’ve worked these past few months in difficult circumstances.

As we re-open, please help us by continuing to be supportive and patient. We expect that it will take time to rebuild routines and get back into the swing of things.

As services return, we will still be practicing many of our COVID safety precautions, like masking, hand hygiene, social distancing, and continuing to have a vaccine policy.

CLGW, like other disability service providers, will have longer-lasting PPE and IPAC requirements. Ours are likely to be even longer-lasting than Long-Term Care, as disability services tends to take a little more time before restrictions lift.

These safety measures will remain in place until at least April 27th, 2022, as is the direction from Public Health and MCCSS for congregate living settings. These safety measures are for all of our services and the many places they may be delivered, like rec centres, restaurants, concerts, at the barber shop or bank, as well as in our homes.

I know that our team has been hearing all sides when it comes to safety precautions and COVID restrictions. We have heard that some are concerned the restrictions are lifting too quickly. Some are concerned that we’re taking too long to lift restrictions. Of course, some are also in between.

While the Government is lifting restrictions in public places, we have a duty to our staff and to the people we support to continue taking steps that ensure good health and safety.

The goal for us is to keep people safe and as healthy as we can while we resume the services we provide, in a way that feels similar to before the pandemic.

We’re excited to welcome you back.

See you soon!

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

February 24, 2022

Hi everyone,

Our team continues to assess re-opening dates for Day Services, Passport services for people living in CLGW residences and EmployMEnt Options.

We’ve been made aware of several concerns that CLGW does not plan to re-open Day Services at all, or that a new model of Day Services is coming. That is not the case. We are looking forward to re-opening and eager to welcome people back as soon as our staffing levels allow. And the goal still remains to offer supports that are similar to what people were receiving in March 2020.

Day Services, Passport services for people living in CLGW residences and EmployMEnt Options will remain suspended for now. We do not have a timeline for return yet, as we continue to manage the Omicron variant and its impact to our staffing and the people we support.

We know for many of you, you’re missing your supports. We’re missing providing those supports and offering services that aren’t COVID-impacted.

As you know, our residential services are an essential service as directed by the Ministry. We’ve received quite a few messages, explaining how essential each service we provide. We completely agree that all CLGW’s services are vital. They have meaning and create opportunities in your life. To that end, when faced with the impossible situation of having to choose because our staffing levels cannot deliver all our services, we have to prioritize our residential services – a service that provides the necessities of life for many of the people we support.

In our January 28^th communication to you, we shared that we had more than 90 leaves due to the latest COVID wave. To put that into perspective, that’s 780 shifts and nearly 25% of our staff off of work. Residentially, we managed to keep the people we support in their homes, because of the efforts of everyone on our team. Redeployed DSPs, Supervisors, Management, our Admin team all went above and beyond. Most worked beyond their standard hours, and many were working back-to-back, or three shifts in a row, to ensure the support was there that was needed for our residential services. Without those efforts, we likely would have had to displace people to hospitals, hotels, or their family home.

I apologize that at that time, our communication didn’t share that much detail and if that has had any impact or contributed to concerns that services wouldn’t resume again. Our focus at that time was ensuring that the people we support in our residences had what they needed, that we were minimizing illness and outbreak, and that we were doing what we could to keep our teams and the people we support safe.

While February has been a little better, we’re still experiencing significant staffing shortages and employees working beyond their standard hours. From January 28^th to February 17^th, we’ve had more than 180 shifts requiring coverage because of self-isolation, and another 200 shifts needing coverage due to general sick absences. Those numbers do not include 60 or so DSPs who are off on long-term absences.

That might seem bleak, but that’s what we have been managing. These are absence levels we have never had before. The number of DSPs off of work right now is more than the number of DSPs from our suspended services.

We’re hopeful that our staffing levels will continue to improve over the next several weeks. As that happens, the staff who have worked above and beyond need a chance to recharge too. To give some perspective, our team collectively has more than 7000 unused vacation hours that should have been used by the end of March. We may be able to use up a fraction of that, between now and then. Managing the pandemic and the leaves that have come with it has put significant stress on being able to take meaningful time off. To that end, we’re grateful for the flexibility of our teams to still make sure the support needed is in place. Even with the exhaustion from this latest wave, our team is excited for what’s to come – getting back to all the services we provide. However, we are committed to ensuring that our team has a chance to rest, so that they can bring their best to the people they support.

We’re aware that some private day programs around Wellington and Dufferin County are re-opening. That too makes us even more eager to get back at it. You’ve come to expect a high degree of quality in the services we provide, and that comes because we’re a Ministry-funded provider. With that, we have different rules and expectations both from Public Health and MCCSS. When we’re able to resume, we expect we will still have Public Health measures in place like masking and social distancing. While the vaccine passports will be lifted for many places in our communities, that will mean many community-based activities will be available again for the people we support. However, the pandemic is not yet over and CLGW will still have a duty to provide services that strive to keep people healthy and safe.

We know that this has been a difficult time for many. It’s been difficult for us too.

Thank you for your continued patience while we manage this wave of COVID, and we do look forward to resuming all our services soon.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

January 28, 2022

Hi everyone,

It has come to our attention that there may be some misinformation out there about when we will be resuming suspended services.

At this time, Day Services, EmployMEnt Options and Passport Services for people living in CLGW residences remain suspended.

The COVID-19 variant Omicron continues to impact our community. We have an Emergency Response Team meeting daily to continually assess our staffing levels, infection prevention and control, and how our services are managing this latest wave of COVID.

Over the last month, we have seen more than 90 leaves as a result of COVID. We have been able to manage these leaves because of redeployed staff.

Once we make the decision to re-open these suspended services, we will send an update. We expect that re-opening will occur quite quickly once the decision is made, with the goal of returning services to how they were before the holidays.

We appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to getting back to providing all of the supports we do as soon as we can.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

14 January, 2022

Hi everyone,

Before the holidays, we informed you that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is requiring CLGW employees and visitors to undergo Rapid Antigen Testing.

This week, we received our Rapid Antigen Test kits, and can begin moving forward. Testing will begin, effective Monday January 17, 2022.

Visitors to CLGW Residences

Rapid Antigen Testing is now required as part of the active screening, before admitting a visitor into one of our residences.

Each visitor must provide evidence of a negative Rapid Antigen Test before visiting. They may provide proof from their own Rapid Antigen Test – taken same day – or may arrive and undergo Rapid Antigen Testing before their visit begins. The visitor may also re-enter the following day, with the same negative Rapid Antigen Test result.

If a visitor returns a positive result on their Rapid Antigen Test, they are NOT permitted entry.

We have updated our Visitor Screening to reflect this requirement, and to reflect the latest symptoms.

Any exceptions to the Rapid Antigen Testing requirement will be reviewed by the Supervisor, Service Manager and Director of Service on a case-by-case basis. Granted exceptions will be communicated directly with the home.

Please note that Rapid Antigen Testing is only required for visitors to congregate living settings at this time. However, there may be other visiting scenarios in the future where Rapid Antigen Testing may be required.

People Supported returning from Overnight Stays

Any person supported who leaves the residence for an overnight stay must be offered a Rapid Antigen Test upon their return. For clarity, it is not mandatory that the returning person undertake the test. However, we are required to offer the test, and promote Rapid Antigen Testing as a screening measure to protect others in the residence.

For overnight absences of 2 nights or less: Rapid Antigen Testing should occur on day three and day seven from the day the person left the residence.

For overnight absences of 3 nights or more: Rapid Antigen Testing should occur on the day of return (as part of active screening upon entry) and day four following their return.

If the person supported leaves for a subsequent overnight absence within those 7 days, a new 7-day period should be started when they return to the residence.

A resident who receives a positive result on a Rapid Antigen Test should:

Wear a medical/surgical mask at all times, unless a masking exemption applies
Immediately begin self-isolating
N95 masks should be worn by staff working in close proximity of the person with the positive result

Families may also request a Rapid Antigen Test be sent home for longer overnight visits, to help monitor at home.

At this time, we are not required to offer a Rapid Antigen Test if someone is just leaving for the day, for a visit with friends and family, etc.. However, our staff may offer a Rapid Antigen Test to some of the people we support if they are at a greater risk of catching COVID-19 for the peace of mind of the person supported. Please keep in mind that a person supported can refuse – we will respect their “no”. Likewise, a person supported may ask for a test because of their visit and we will support them with this.

Important tips for Rapid Antigen Tests

Storing

Rapid Antigen Tests should be stored at room temperature.

Timing

To get the most out of a Rapid Antigen Testing, test 48-72 hours apart.

Testing immediately after a social gathering or a suspected exposure is unlikely to return a result related to that exposure. You need at least a few days before the virus can be detected in your system.

Remember, your Rapid Antigen Test result is a snapshot in time. It’s only as accurate as the preventative measures you take immediately after your results. Staying home, wearing a mask, physically distancing, practicing great hand hygiene, and more all play a part in keeping your negative result negative.

Doing the test

Follow the instructions provided with your specific testing kit.

BD Veritor Plus – Instructions: https://clgw.ca/bd-veritor-instructions
Panbio – Instructions: https://clgw.ca/panbio-instructions

If you’re giving a Rapid Antigen Test to a person we support, here is a helpful social story to support explaining the why and how of the Rapid Antigen Test: https://clgw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Social-Story.COVID-19-Rapid-Antigen-Testing.pdf

We can’t stress enough – we have great infection prevention measures in place. Realizing how easily OMICRON can spread, consider having the mindset that anyone could have COVID-19. Practicing the preventative measures with as much diligence as you can, can really help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearing the appropriate PPE, remaining physically distanced, great hand hygiene, and sanitizing high touch surfaces help reduce the spread. The measures you take can reduce the likelihood you’ll catch COVID-19.

Rapid Antigen Testing is an additional infection prevention measure. It helps detect COVID-19 early and can identify asymptomatic cases. We understand that each situation will be different, and this information is the best guidance we have at the moment.

Unfortunately, we wish we had an unlimited supply of tests. Because we have a limited supply, we ask that you only request the tests that you need, and sparingly. Your efforts will help us meet the testing needs for all our staff, the people we support, and visitors attending our residences, or prolong our supply in the event there are further shipping delays.

Be safe everyone and have a great weekend!

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

24 December 2021

Hi everyone,

In follow-up to our email last week, we received guidance from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that employees and visitors will be required to undergo Rapid Antigen Testing.

Additionally, it will be required that we offer Rapid Antigen Testing to the people we support who leave the residence for an overnight absence. However, it is not required that they accept or undertake the test.

In reviewing the MCCSS guidance, our team is working on how to implement this with as much ease and consistency as possible. We do not have a ‘firm’ start date yet. As we do this planning work, we are also working to get the supply of Rapid Antigen Tests that we need to meet the MCCSS requirement. We expect to have more information in the coming week.

I would encourage you to keep up the good work at home. We have strong measures in place to keep each other safe. Wearing surgical masks, maintaining physical distance, cleaning, and disinfecting on a regular basis, all have helped limit the spread of COVID-19 so far. Together, let’s continue to work together and prioritize great infection prevention measures to keep everyone healthy safe.

Our wish this holiday season is for good health. Please be safe over the holidays.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

23 December 2021

Hi everyone,

With the rise of the COVID-19 variant Omicron, we are seeing a number of employees become High Risk Contacts and require isolation. In light of staffing shortages, the current COVID-19 restrictions placed on community activities, and the rate of infection we’re seeing, our Supervisors and Service Managers have been meeting this week to look at the reality of our services and staffing.

The health and wellbeing of the people we support and our employees is our top priority.

As such, we have made the difficult and necessary decision to temporarily suspend some of our non-essential services to focus on our support requirements in Residential Services.

Effective end of day December 24, 2021, we are temporarily suspending:

Day Services
EmployMEnt Options
Passport services for people living in CLGW residences

Supported Independent Living, Modified and 24/7 Residential Services will continue. Some Passport services will also continue, but on a hybrid model.

At this time, we are suspending these services until further notice. However, our team will review in January our staffing levels, as well as the health of our employees and the people we support, before re-instating our suspended services.

We will be re-deploying employees from suspended services to help support our Residential Services.

Additionally, our Administrative, Supervisor and Management team will be on standby in the event that we need to further top up on our staffing needs. We have also made arrangements with a staffing organization in the event that we need even more support.

This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, and our team did not make it lightly. We understand that suspending any services, especially now, has far-reaching impacts. Our plan is to resume all services as soon as it is safe to do so.

To help us resume services as soon as possible, we need to continue to band together. We know and have seen our teams take their role as essential workers very seriously. We see them taking every necessary precaution, both at work, and at home, to stop the spread of COVID-19. If each of us continues to do our best when it comes to masking, PPE use, hand hygiene, disinfecting protocols and following Public Health guidance, we should get to a place where we can resume our services very soon. In the meantime, we will also continue to work hard to increase our staffing levels.

We appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to getting back to providing all of the supports we do as soon as we can.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

17 December 2021

Hi everyone,

Wednesday’s announcement means good news for people waiting to get their COVID-19 booster dose.

Starting Monday, December 20, 2021, individuals aged 18 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment through Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health online appointment system, the Ontario’s booking portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, participating pharmacies and primary care settings. Appointments will be booked three months (84 days) after a second dose. Additionally, pharmacies and other channels may provide boosters for 18 and over at the three-month interval starting Friday, December 17, 2021, for walk-ins.

We have set up a few clinics with WDGPH to get the people we support and our employees vaccinated. Those clinics are coming up on December 29^th, 30^th, and 31^st and employees will be booking in the people we support and themselves to receive doses.

To help us make this happen as seamlessly as possible, we are asking Substitute Decision Makers to complete the required Consent Form and provide it to our residences by December 27^th.

You can help us with this process. If you are an SDM for a person we support, please click the Consent Form link, print and complete the form, and provide it to our residences as soon as you can.

If a person we support can attend a Public Health vaccine clinic, their physician, or a pharmacy, and want their third dose and can give consent, we are encouraging our team to make that appointment as they are eligible (84 days since their second dose).

If you’re looking for more information about getting a third dose, here are some resources we have found really helpful:

COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose Recommendations
https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/vaccine/COVID-19_vaccine_third_dose_recommendations.pdf
Province of Ontario announces COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses
https://wdgpublichealth.ca/news/media-release-province-ontario-announces-covid-19-vaccine-booster-doses
All Ontarians 18+ Eligible for COVID-19 Booster Appointments at Three-Month Interval
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001352/all-ontarians-18-eligible-for-covid-19-booster-appointments-at-three-month-interval

If you are hosting a person we support over the holidays, whether its for a dinner, or for an overnight visit, or for longer, you may request a Rapid Antigen Testing kit be sent home with you. These kits are the same that we have available for our teams, to do non-symptomatic testing. They are a great tool to improve your screening for COVID-19, and they can give you peace of mind.

There are two test kits that CLGW has. We will be distribution the BD Veritor kits first, but we are including both sets of instructions for your ease of access:

BD Veritor Plus – Instructions: https://clgw.ca/bd-veritor-instructions
Panbio – Instructions: https://clgw.ca/panbio-instructions

We have also included instructions regarding disposal of the test kits and mandatory next steps if you receive a positive result.

We continue to feel thankful for our teams, for the people we support and their families, for taking COVID-19 precautionary measures seriously. Collectively, we have worked hard together to keep each other healthy and safe. We have very strong COVID-19 precautionary measures in place. And now is the time, again, to be diligent and thoughtful in how we ensure each other’s good health.

Additionally, the government announced late this afternoon about new social gathering limits and indoor capacity limits on places like restaurants, theatres, clubs and so on. We expect the Government will have these updated limits online in the next few hours, at their COVID-19 Public Health Measure website here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures.

Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility as we navigate through this.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

11 December 2021

Hi everyone,

With the holiday season nearly upon us, we are doing a guideline update around our Residential and Day Services.

Day Services

We know that most people who are attending Day Services will be away from our Community Living Centres for 1-2 weeks.

We are implementing a few changes that we hope will help promote good health and safety for everyone involved in Day Services.

Prior to attending Day Services, each person we support is expected to complete and pass the Essential Visitors Screening before coming to our buildings.

Currently, if a person we support in Day Services is presenting COVID-related symptoms, they are asked to remain home from Day Services. If they begin presenting COVID-related symptoms while attending Day Services, they are sent home and may only return once they are symptom free.

We will be changing this.

If a person we support in Day Services stays home because they are ill, they will be required to do one of the following:

Provide evidence of a negative PCR test
Wait 10 days (and must be symptom free) before returning
Provide evidence that their illness is not COVID-related

If a person we support attends Day Services at one of our Community Living Centres and presents COVID-related symptoms (either upon entry, or develops symptoms during the day), they will be isolated until they can return home, and must complete the above requirement before returning to Day Services.

Residential Supports

Recently, MCCSS released a number of Congregate Living Setting guideline changes. The current guidelines can be found at: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/CongregateCare_Guidelines.aspx

We have summarized the guidelines changes that have an immediate effect on our residential services.

Short Stays and Overnight visits over the Holidays

At this time, MCCSS has said it’s okay for the people we support to go home for the holidays. Whether it’s for a few hours for a dinner or event, or for a few days, these are activities are permitted.

To help all of us celebrate the holidays safely, the Government of Ontario has released this guide: https://www.ontario.ca/page/celebrate-safely-during-covid-19

Short Stay and Overnight visits do still need to abide by the guidelines and restrictions the Government of Ontario and local Public Health authorities have put into place. This includes:

Gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, as required by provincial regulation, unless an exception applies.
- You should have the fewest number of people possible at your party or gathering and use outdoor spaces whenever possible.

Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces
Provide all the necessities, including hand sanitizer, soap and water
Encourage good hand hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing a mask
Do not attend or stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild

Returning to CLGW from a Short Stay or Overnight visits

Upon returning from a short stay or overnight absence, regardless of vaccination status or duration of absence from the residence, the person must be actively screened.

In general, fully vaccinated individuals are considered to be at low risk for a COVID-19 infection and do not require self-isolation or COVID-19 testing on arrival, provided that they are not symptomatic and/or have not had a recent high-risk exposure to a known COVID-19 case.

For all other individuals (i.e., individuals who are partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, or for whom their COVID-19 vaccination status is unknown), they should:

Follow additional precautions until they receive a negative result on a COVID-19 PCR test OR 10 days have passed:
Monitor for symptoms
Avoid using common areas; however, if a common area cannot be avoided, the resident must use a medical (surgical/procedural) mask if tolerated
Limit contact with other residents
Only participate in group activities if physical distancing is maintained (i.e. 2 metres) and a medical (surgical/procedural) mask is used for the duration of the activity
Practice proper hand hygiene by washing hands often

If the residence is in outbreak when a short stay or overnight visit is to begin, we are required to restrict absences that are recreational or general in nature. Likewise, if the residence is in outbreak upon the scheduled return from the absence, we may be required to ask the person to remain with their hosts for the absence.

The above guidelines follow MCCSS Congregate Care Guidelines.

Unfortunately, there is a risk that someone might become ill over the holidays. We encourage you and your family to keep us informed should this happen. If the person’s symptoms are COVID-related, we advise you to immediately notify Public Health and/or your family physician as soon as possible, and to follow their next steps. We also encourage you to keep the person home until they can safely return to the residence. However, should you not be able to accommodate the isolation requirements, please notify us. We will work collaboratively with you to find a possible solution.

At the end of this communication, we have included a chart of common cold, flu and COVID symptoms, as a reminder of the difference in symptoms between these two common ailments and COVID.

Masking during Short Stay or Overnight visits

Public Health has also given updated guidance around masking when attending indoor and outdoor gatherings. This guidance does not override the requirements for congregate settings (our residences).

Even if fully vaccinated, Ontarians must wear a face covering and physically distance when it is required, including at indoor organized public events and in indoor public spaces (with limited exceptions). Regardless of where you are, you can wear a face covering and physically distance if you feel it is right for you, especially if you or others are immunocompromised or at high-risk of severe disease or exposure to .

Indoors

When gathering indoors:

Outdoors

When gathering outdoors:

with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, you can remove your face covering if everyone is comfortable
with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or vaccination status is unknown, you should wear a face covering and physically distance

with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, no face covering or physical distancing is necessary
with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or vaccination status is unknown, you should consider wearing a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained

This chart is an excerpt from: MCCSS Congregate Care Guidelines.

Visitors to our residences during the holidays

Having visitors come to the residence over the holidays is permitted and can be scheduled directly with the residence. Earlier this month, we shared updated guidelines. Below is a reminder of those guidelines.

Scheduling visits: visitors may schedule directly with the residence. Visits no longer require Supervisor approval. This applies for both essential and non-essential visitors.

Notice ahead of visits: we continue to encourage notice ahead of any visitors coming to our residences, for both scheduling and support purposes (imagine if the person wasn’t home!). However, essential visits no longer required notice as per MCCSS guidelines.

Outdoor visits: visitors may choose not to mask and/or physical distance if all parties are fully immunized. Visitors may choose not to mask while maintaining physical distance regardless of immunization status.

All visitors are still required to pass an active screening, remain within the designated spaces for visits, practice good hand hygiene, and wear a mask indoors at all times.

We are hopeful that these guidelines remain in place coming into the Holiday season. Should MCCSS or the Government of Ontario make an adjustment to these guidelines, we will do our best to share those quickly.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

3 December 2021

Dear people we support and families,

Recently, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) released updated guidelines for congregate living settings.

We are excited to see that some of these updates resemble routines we had before COVID began.

To help us align with these changes, we are making a few immediate updates.

Visits

Scheduling visits: We will be resuming scheduling visits by calling the residence. Visits no longer require Supervisor approval. This will apply for both essential and non-essential visitors.

Notice ahead of visits: We will continue to encourage notice ahead of any visitors coming to our residences, for scheduling and support purposes. However, essential visits no longer require notice under MCCSS guidelines.

Outdoor visits: Visitors may choose not to mask and/or physical distance if all parties are fully immunized. Visitors may choose not to mask while maintaining physical distance regardless of immunization status.

All visitors are still required to pass an active screening, remain within the designated spaces for visits, practice good hand hygiene, and wear a mask indoors at all times.

We do anticipate that over the next few weeks, ahead of the holidays, more updates will be coming from us and from MCCSS. We appreciate your patience as we roll these out.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

27 August 2021

Dear people we support and families,

We have made a few updates to our COVID-19 Screening for visitors to our locations.

The changes are as follows:

Additional language has been added regarding out of country travel, reflecting federal quarantine requirements
Additional language has been added regarding a person being advised to self-isolate or quarantine by a health care, medical or public health professional
Improved instruction has been added, to help you determine if you have passed or failed the screening, and what next steps are required
For visitors, eye protection is no longer required unless the visitor is providing personal care or cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distance

You may review the Visitor’s Screening ahead of time, at: https://clgw.ca/visitor-screening

Our community, province and country have done a great job at getting vaccinated and taking precautionary steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Because of these efforts, our government has been making strides to allow travel. However, we remain in Level 3 of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Levels of Risk. As part of this level, Canadians should avoid non-essential out of country travel.

Knowing that travel is something that many of our families enjoy, we have updated the screening to reflect the potential quarantine or self-isolation instruction out-of-country travellers may receive.

If you have travelled out of country, and have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine, we ask that you not visit our locations until your quarantine/self-isolation is complete and you are certain that you are symptom free.

To help support you and your potential future travel plans, we have found these resources helpful:

Government of Canada – Travel Health Notices
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/221
Government of Canada – Use ArriveCAN to Enter Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html
Government of Canada – Summary Data about Travellers, testing and compliance
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/testing-screening-contact-tracing/summary-data-travellers.html

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

16 July 2021

Hi everyone,

We have received MCCSS’s Guidelines for Congregate Settings. These guidelines come into effect today, July 16, 2021.

A summary of the guidelines can be found at: www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/CongregateCare.aspx

As a reminder, these guidelines outline ministry-specific direction for MCCSS-funded congregate settings. Directions and guidelines as part of Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan still apply. WDG Public Health may also provide additional guidance, which we will have to take into consideration.

Visits to the residence

All visitor types are permitted indoor and outdoor

Essential visitors

Visits may be unsupervised. Please continue to schedule in advance to help us organize.
Active screening is required.
Brief physical contact is permitted.
Must sign in on the Visitors Log
Surgical/procedural mask is required indoors.
If all parties are fully immunized, choice to not mask or physically distance outdoors.
If all parties are not fully immunized, choice to not mask but must physically distance outdoors.
If providing personal care, eye protection must be worn. Additional PPE should be considered.
Visitors must follow CLGW IPAC operational procedures.

Non-essential Visitors

Visits are supervised and must be scheduled in advance.
Active screening is required.
Must sign in on the Visitors Log
Surgical/procedural mask is required indoors.
If all parties are fully immunized, choice to not mask or physically distance outdoors.
If all parties are not fully immunized, choice to not mask but must physically distance outdoors.
Visitors must follow CLGW IPAC operational procedures.
Maximum number of visitors must follow gathering limits in Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan

Short Stay (same day) Absences

Permitted.
Must follow social gathering parameters in Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan

Overnight Absences

Permitted.
If fully immunized, only active screening is required upon return.
If partially or non-immunized: 14-day precautions or until negative PCR COVID-19 test is received. PCR test is optional, and should take place no earlier than 5-7 days following return of resident to the residence to account for potential COVID-19 incubation period
Must follow social gathering parameters in Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan

Recreational Activities

Permitted.
Must follow parameters in Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan

Day Supports

Additional guidance will be distributed by MCCSS.

We appreciate your patience and your flexibility in following these guidelines, as well as the applicable guidelines in Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan.

If we learn of any more changes, we’ll be sure to share those as quickly as we can.

Debb Young
Director of Service

11 June 2021

Hi everyone,

Today, the Government of Ontario takes it’s first big step in re-opening our province. This is both cause for celebration, and cautious optimism.

We’ve included a summary of what restrictions have been lessened below. The full re-opening plan can be found at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario

We are also pleased to share that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has lessened some restrictions on the services we provide. We remain in enhanced precautions under MCCSS.
In congregate living (like our residences), two changes have occurred:

Brief physical contact is now allowed from visitors, regardless of vaccination status. This includes essential and non-essential visitors. Yes, that means we can hug our loved ones again.Visitors are still required to wear eye protection and a surgical/procedure mask at all times, and they must remain in place when engaging in a brief physical contact. Physical distancing (2 metres or 6 feet) must also be maintained before and after the physical contact.Please keep in mind that under Enhanced Precautions, visits are outdoor only.
Residents are now permitted to leave the congregate setting for a short-stay (same day), absence in the community, in alignment with the provincial framework. That means recreational outings (activities for pleasure), are now permitted in addition to essential absences (such as work, school, medical appointments and physical exercise).

In Day Services, we have been permitted to resume our phased re-opening. We are excited to begin welcoming people back to the Community Living Centres and will begin doing so in Harriston and Fergus as of Monday, June 14, 2021. Mount Forest and Erin will follow on Monday June 28, 2021. Guelph’s start date remains tentative, and preparations are underway to open as soon as we can. We continue to work with families to understand how many people are interested in returning, and if we will need to explore attendance in cohorts. Day Services Direct Support Professionals are getting into contact with the people we support to organize their return and their work has been nothing short of incredible.
I also want to take another moment, and thank you. Over the last 15+ months, you have experienced significant change. The services we provide have all seen a need to adapt, and at times that has been downright challenging for our team, for you and your families. It takes incredible perseverance, patience, and strength to accept and support us through those pandemic related changes, and help our team make the best of what has undoubtedly been challenging for them. Your support has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for it.

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

–

Vaccination rate plus key public health and health care indicators

Step 1

60%

Adults with one dose

Permit with restrictions: Outdoor spaces begin reopening, limited indoor settings with restrictions

Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 10 people
Outdoor dining for up to 4 people per table
Essential retail capacity at 25%
Non-essential retail capacity at 15%
Religious services, rites and ceremonies indoors at 15% capacity and outdoors with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres
Outdoor sports training (no games or practices), fitness classes and personal training up to 10 people
Day camps
Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks
Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways without spectators
Outdoor pools and wading pools

+21 days before next stage

1 April 2021

Dear people we support and your families,

This afternoon, the Government of Ontario announced that all of Ontario will be entering lockdown as of Saturday April 3, 12:01am. This lockdown will last for a minimum of 28 days.

With ICUs approaching capacity, increased concern around the variants, the government has taken this action to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our communities.

We understand that this news is difficult. It may present challenges and changes to your upcoming long weekend plans, visiting family for the holidays and so much more. We feel frustrated alongside you, your families, and alongside our DSPs.

If a person and their family has already made Short Stay or Essential Overnight Visits request for this coming weekend, and it has been approved, those may go ahead as planned. Please remain mindful of the Short Stay and Overnight Visits guidelines (included at the end of this letter) and take all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of your family member and your family.

We had ramped up Day Services, to welcome people back into the Community Living Centres. Harriston had opened this week, with all locations slated to open in the next few weeks. Due to the lockdown, the re-openings will be put on hold. However, DSPs from Day Services will be reaching out to people who committed to attending during Phase 1 to schedule one to one support. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and flexibility in rolling with the changes. We know many of you were excited to attend, and we hope that day will come again soon.

As a reminder, please review what Grey-Lockdown in the COVID-19 Response Framework by clicking here. Understanding and following the limitations in this framework can help keep everyone safe.

Below is a quick glance at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health’s advice:

Close contact, gatherings and events in Grey – Lockdown:

No indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household
Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive close contact with another household to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation
Limit of 5 people for outdoor organized public events and social gatherings, where physical distancing can be maintained (limit was announced today)

Travel in Grey – Lockdown:

Trips outside of the home should only be for essential reasons (school, work, groceries/pharmacy, health care, assisting vulnerable individuals, exercise and physical activity)
Work remotely where possible.

We have been tremendously fortunate in the good health of the people we support, with thanks to you and your families, and to our staff for taking every precaution that is necessary. We appreciate your continued support and thoughtfulness in keeping yourself and your families healthy and safe.

Warm regards,

Cindy Kinnon

Executive Director

Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits

The short stay or overnight essential visit must be necessary for the person’s mental health and wellbeing.
The short stay or overnight essential visit is to their family’s home.
The restrictions placed upon the people we support while living in a congregate setting, still apply when they are home with their family.
1. This means that when visiting the family home, trips outside of the home are for essential reasons only.
2. Right now, recreational activities outside of the residence are suspended. This applies when visiting the family home too.
The person supported must not be visiting with any non-household members.
The number of people in the family home must be 5 or less.
The short stay or overnight essential visit must be pre-approved by the Supervisor or Manager.
People we support and their families are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in SA38 Visitor Guidelines, available here: https://clgw.ca/sa38
If a person is staying overnight with their family, whether it’s one night or many, they will be required to complete a 14-day enhanced precautions when returning to CLGW from their essential overnight visit. This is explained in SA38 Visitor Guidelines.
1. Additional precautionary measures may also be put into place by CLGW or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health if required.
If a person develops COVID-19 related symptoms while on their short stay or overnight essential visit, they must remain at the family home. If symptoms present, the person or a family member will be required to contact their Supervisor immediately to inform them, and contact Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health for next steps. The person cannot return to the residence until WDG Public Health gives the okay.

12 March 2021

Dear people we support and your families,

Earlier this week Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health announced their Phase 2 for COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration.

Phase 2 includes people living in CLGW residences! People who work and live in congregate care are eligible in this phase.

Earlier in the winter, Direct Support Professionals, Team Leads, Supervisors and Managers worked collaboratively to inform the people we support and Substitute Decision Makers about the vaccine. They also began gathering consents and we thank you for supporting us through this process.

However, the Ministry of Health has updated the consent form, and the new form must be used. As a result, any previous consent forms for the people we support or completed by SDMs, are no longer valid. Please shred or destroy any previously completed consent forms. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we adjust to meet Public Health’s requirements.

The updated form is available here, and is attached: COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form (gov.on.ca)

You’ll find there are a number of changes from the previous form, including:

Acts as consent for both doses. Previously, a new consent form was required at the time of each dose.
This form now includes additional questions around suspected hypersensitivity and immediate allergic reactions.
This form now includes a field on page 3, that makes the Attestation Form no longer required.
This form now includes an option to be contacted for research studies.
Statements indicating that a person can withdraw or revoke their consent at any time.
Statements for LTC residents, identifying legal protection and anti-discrimination based on completion of this consent form, identifying legal protection and anti-discrimination based on vaccine.

For people supported who want the vaccine and can provide consent at the time of vaccination

We are asking DSPs to review the consent form with the person ahead of time, as well as the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet and consult their Health Care Provider if they have concerns/questions about receiving the vaccine or completing the consent form. Once the person is comfortable with the consent form and their decision, DSPs will pre-register the person for their vaccine. Additionally, the person may complete a paper copy as a test run, to feel confident in what they are being asked and bring it with them to their appointment. However, at the time of vaccination, a WDGPH nurse will also walk through the electronic consent with the person to complete their records.

For people supported who want the vaccine and require an SDM

As an SDM, you may choose to:

If you wish to accompany your person to receive the vaccine, you will provide consent at the time of vaccination. Please review the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet, as well as the consent form. Once you are comfortable with providing consent, you may pre-register the person at: https://register.wdgpublichealth.ca/. Once registered, please contact the residence with the date and time of vaccination. Upon completion of vaccinations, please provide proof to the residence.
If you would like a DSP to take your person to receive the vaccine, you will be required to submit a completed paper copy of the consent form to the residence. Please download, print, and fill out the form. Once completed, you may: fax the form, take a picture or scan each page of the form and email to the Supervisor, or drop off the form to the residence. Public Health’s plan for congregate settings will be that they have a separate online registration for people who cannot give consent at the time of vaccination. This registration will be for specialized clinics. We will be providing DSPs with more information once we have it. They will not be registered until we receive further direction from WDGPH.

Team Leads and Supervisors will be sending out paper versions to those SDMs who do not have email. Team Leads will also be responsible for following up with SDM’s to ensure they have completed the consent.

Additionally, HCARDD offers two plain language guides to help explain the vaccine:

If you have any questions, please connect with your supervisor.

Thank you for your help and flexibility as this process has evolved. We’re excited to see many of the people we support be included in this phase of vaccination!

Regards,

Cindy Kinnon

Executive Director

18 February 2021

Dear people we support and your families,

These continue to be challenging times, with shifting expectations. Thank you for being patience throughout this pandemic. Your understanding, and your continued efforts to maintain the good health of your family makes a world of difference.

On February 16^th, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health moved back into Red-Control, of the COVID-19 Response Framework. A two-page summary of the different Response Frameworks can be found online here.

Below, we are highlighting some key areas of Red – Control:

Close contact, gatherings and events

Limit close contact to your household (the people you live with).
Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation.
Maintain two metres of physical distancing from everyone else.
Virtual gatherings or events are the safest way to visit or recognize occasions with people outside your household.
Adhere to provincial and applicable local restrictions on public and private gatherings.

In Red – control:

Trips outside of the home should only be for essential reasons (work, school, groceries/pharmacy, health care, assisting vulnerable individuals or exercise and physical activity).
Families should not visit any other household or allow visitors in their homes – people who live alone can gather with one household.
Everyone should avoid social gatherings.
Work remotely, where possible.

Organized public events, social gatherings, and religious services, rites and ceremonies:

Limits all organized public events and social gatherings, where physical distancing can be maintained to:
- 5 people indoors
- 25 people outdoors
Weddings, funerals, and other religious services, rites and ceremonies, can have up to 30% indoor capacity, or 100 people outdoors.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has issued Visitor Guidelines 3.0 for Congregate Settings. MCCSS’s Enhanced Precautions guidelines align with Public Health’s Red and Orange zone.

At present, the following restrictions are in place for people living in CLGW residences because of Enhanced Precautions:

Short-Stay and Essential Overnight Absences are only permitted if it promotes the mental health and wellbeing of the person.
- As a reminder, these absences must be pre-approved by the Supervisor or Manager and must follow CLGW’s current guidelines for Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits, shared on December 18th, and at the end of this letter.
Health and wellbeing activities (doctor’s appointments, work, school, etc.) are permitted.
Activities, like going for a walk or a drive, that promote the mental health and wellbeing of the person are permitted.
Organized recreational activities, like going to a restaurant, going to the bank, going for a haircut or other non-essential personal care, going bowling or to a movie theatre, are suspended.
Attending community Day Supports (Torchlight, GrandAbilities, Community of Hearts, Live and Learn, etc.) is permitted when the maximum group size (including support staff) is 5 people.
Essential Visitors are permitted for indoor and outdoor visits.
Non-essential Visitors are permitted for outdoor visits only, while supervised and physically distanced.

As a reminder, if you are visiting a CLGW residence as an Essential Visitor, you are required to wear a surgical/procedural mask, and eye protection (goggles or face shield) while visiting the residence. While wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, you are also expected to maintain 6 feet (2m) of physical distance whenever possible. If you are providing personal care, there are additional PPE requirements that the Supervisor for your residence can explain when scheduling your visit.

As we learn new information, we will be sure to keep you informed.

Regards,

Cindy Kinnon

Executive Director

Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits

These guidelines are adapted and modified based on current MCCSS Congregate Settings COVID-19 Protocols and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health COVID-19 framework.

he below guidelines are based on Red – Control, and MCCSS’s guidelines as of February 17, 2020.

The short stay or overnight essential visit must be necessary for the person’s mental health and wellbeing.
The short stay or overnight essential visit is to their family’s home.
The restrictions placed upon the people we support while living in a congregate setting, still apply when they are home with their family.
1. This means that when visiting the family home, trips outside of the home are for essential reasons only (work, volunteering, school, medical appointments or exercise).
2. Right now, recreational activities outside of the residence are suspended. This applies when visiting the family home too. Examples of recreational activities include: going to a restaurant or for coffee, visiting someone else’s home, going bowling or to a movie theatre, going to the bank or getting a haircut or other non-essential personal care activities.
The person supported must not be visiting with any non-household members.
The number of people in the family home must be 5 or less.
The short stay or overnight essential visit must be pre-approved by the Supervisor or Manager.
People we support and their families are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in SA38 Visitor Guidelines., available here: https://clgw.ca/sa38
If a person is staying overnight with their family, whether it’s one night or many, they will be required to complete a 14-day enhanced precautions when returning to CLGW from their essential overnight visit. This is explained in SA38 Visitor Guidelines.
If a person develops COVID-19 related symptoms while on their short stay or overnight essential visit, they must remain at the family home. If symptoms present, the person or a family member will be required to contact their Supervisor immediately to inform them, and contact Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health for next steps. The person cannot return to the residence until WDG Public Health gives the okay.

The PDF Version of this communication can be downloaded by clicking here.

20 January 2021

Dear people we support and your families,

This past weekend, WDGPH advised our team to begin gathering completed Ministry of Health consent forms for people who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and who are living in a CLGW residence. Although they do not have a date yet, they are beginning to organize vaccine clinics for the people we support and our staff.

In preparation of completing these consent forms, we have equipped our Direct Support Professionals with a number of educational and informative tools to have conversations with the people we support about the vaccine. Those resources will be included at the end of this letter and are helpful for just about anyone. Most notably, HCARDD has put together some really great plain language guides.

We are also including the instructions given by WDGPH, which have been communicated to our DSPs.

Much like the flu vaccine each year, CLGW strongly encourages everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Being immunized acts as a way to protect yourself and the people around you.

Vaccines are designed to provide immunity to a specific disease or virus, such as COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Polio, Diphtheria and Measles. When you receive a vaccine, it helps build up your immunity so that you may be exposed to that disease or virus without becoming ill. If you do become infected, it also prevents more severe symptoms of that illness.

While CLGW has been exceptionally fortunate to have very few positive cases of COVID-19 impacting the people we support and our staff, our community has seen rising numbers of positive cases because of community spread and outbreaks.

Our staff continue to be diligent, and their efforts in our residences have limited the ability for spread to happen. We saw it earlier, when we did have positive COVID-19 staff and people supported. Good hand hygiene, proper PPE usage, continued disinfecting, screening, and following all of the other protocols in place has helped ensure that the spread of the virus was limited.

Families and caregivers have also played a significant role in limiting the exposure to COVID-19. Your active participation in these protocols, such as limiting the number of people your loved one comes into contact with while visiting home on a Short Stay or Overnight Essential Visit, has made a difference. More, when you have been able to visit with your loved one at their residence, you have taken care to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

The vaccine is another opportunity to limit the spread of COVID-19 and a positive step forward during this pandemic.

Although our staff and the people we support may be getting immunized, the preventative measures will remain in effect. That means that wearing PPE, active self-screening, disinfecting protocols, and restrictions put in place by MCCSS will remain in place for the foreseeable future, regardless of immunity. Over time, we expect to receive direction as medical health authorities can better gauge the impact immunization has on reducing the spread of COVID-19. However, we’re very hopeful that with good community immunization, we’ll see a shift in the preventative measures in the future.

Thank you for your continued participation and active prevention against COVID-19. Your efforts are keeping you, your families, and our staff safe through all of this.

We’re looking forward to brighter days ahead!

Regards,

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

—

Information and Direction given to Direct Support Professionals for People Supported Who Want the COVID-19 Vaccine

Important notes from WDGPH

1. Supervisors and Managers will be working collaboratively with their teams to acquire consent from each person supported who wants the vaccine. This must be collected ahead of vaccination, and we are trying to collect as many as possible by Friday, January 22.

This Ministry of Health consent form must be completed by the person supported, or their Substitute Decision maker (SDM). DSPs cannot complete the consent form on behalf of the person supported.

WDGPH prefers that if an SDM is required, they complete the paper copy of the consent form, and submit it to CLGW by email, fax, or dropping it off to CLGW. WDGPH is also creating an online SDM to complete, if submitting the paper copy to the CLGW residence is not possible. This will be ready sometime later this week and communicated to Supervisors and Managers.

2. Please distribute and review the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet with each person supported, and/or their SDM, along with the consent form to help them make an informed decision about whether they wish to receive the vaccine.

Additionally, you may use the HCARDD Plain Language guides to help explain the vaccine:

3. People supported who would like to receive the vaccine but have special considerations or medical conditions where the vaccine would not routinely be recommended will be required to have an individual risk assessment from their health care provider, and complete this attestation form that they have been counselled by their health care provider.

The attestation form will be required for individuals who are:

Immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment, or those with an autoimmune disorder
Currently pregnant
Currently breastfeeding

This attestation form will need to be completed by each person supported or their SDM if they are any of the above. If they are not any of the above, the attestation form is not required. DSPs cannot complete the attestation form on behalf of the person supported.

WDGPH prefers that a paper copy of the attestation form be completed, and submitted to the CLGW residences. It must be completed ahead of vaccination.

4. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will collect information about the people we support to facilitate the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is to allow Public Health to properly prioritize individuals receiving the vaccine, properly administer the program, and minimize the amount of information that will need to be collected at the point of delivery.

At this point, clinic dates for people living in congregate settings have not been scheduled.

ACTION: Teams will be working to collect consent from the people we support or their SDMs by Friday, January 22. For every person supported who wishes to receive the vaccine, WDGPH needs:

Last name and First name
Date of Birth
Gender
Ontario Health Card Number (HCN)
Completed consent form by person or SDM

CLGW Service Managers and Supervisors will be putting as much of this information together as we can, to help minimize any bottlenecks. They will be using the template given by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. It will be sent to WDGPH as an encrypted file.

—

Helpful Resources

HCARDD – Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities

HCARDD has developed two plain language guides that are easy to read, and helpful to get the conversation started with the people we support. We will be printing copies of these two guides, and distributing them to residences, so that you have a physical copy of the social stories.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care have a number of really helpful resources online, explaining what to expect from the Government of Ontario. You can see all of the resources here, but we think the following three do a great job answering some important questions.

23 December 2020

Dear people we support and your families,

I am writing to let you know that we have received further direction from Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services about essential visits, short stay absences and outings, and essential overnight absences. It has helped to both clarify and enhance our original guidelines. I realize this is a difficult time for everyone and it is hard to keep all these changes straight. I hope the following information will answer your questions.

I know the biggest question everyone has is whether residents can go out of the residence. Residents are expected to stay in their own setting as much as possible, however absences are allowed if it is for health and well-being. Keep in mind that overnight stays will require enhanced precautions to be followed upon their return in order to keep residents and their housemates safe and healthy.

As a reminder, if you do go home for Christmas we are expected you back by 9 pm.

The Ministry has confirmed:

All residents of congregate settings are expected to stay in their home as much as possible, absences are being discouraged.
That indoor visits are permitted for essential visitors only and visitors must follow the COVID protocols already in place.
That outdoor visits are permitted for essential visitors only and visitors must follow COVID protocols already in place.which now includes wearing a surgical mask.
Essential health and well-being activities outside the residence are permitted.
For the health and well-being of residents, off-site activities are permitted if able to maintain physical distancing (ie going for a walk)
For essential overnight absences are permitted if required for the health, wellness and safety of the resident.
Residents and family members will be advised of required enhanced precautions that will be implemented upon return to the home from the overnight visit.
Organized recreational activities outside the residence are suspended.

Please continue to coordinate visits with the Supervisors to determine the steps you need to take. We will continue to keep you posted as things evolve. Thank you for your understanding.

Happy Holidays and all the best to you and your family in 2021.

Regards,

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication:

22 December 2020

Dear people we support and your families,

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that all of Ontario will be entering lockdown as of December 26, at 12:01am. This lockdown will last for a minimum of 28 days for Southern Ontario communities.

While the lockdown is set to begin December 26, Public Health officials are strongly encouraging that people begin limiting their all non-essential activities now.

On Friday, we shared the guidelines for Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits. While these guidelines were developed with the Red-Control framework in mind, they also balanced what the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services permitted for congregate settings like our Residential Services.

Those guidelines remain in effect. However, we are making the following changes to align with lockdown status:

Any person going to their family home for a Short Stay or Essential Overnight Visit may do so, but will be required to be back at their CLGW residence by December 25, 2020 at 9:00pm.
Anyone not returning to their CLGW residence by December 25, 2020 at 9:00pm will be required to stay at their family’s home until the lockdown is lifted, or until their Supervisor and Service Manager can schedule a safe return date.
People who stay at their family home beyond December 25, 2020 at 9:00pm will also be required to do a 14-day isolation upon their return. Additional precautionary measures may also be put into place by CLGW or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
After December 25, 2020 at 9:00pm, Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits will be suspended for the remainder of the lockdown.

Additionally, we are also waiting for more direction from MCCSS and Public Health, including if congregate settings will move into the Comprehensive Precautions phase. Should there be any changes to our Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits Guidelines, we’ll be sure to share those as quickly as we can.

We understand these visits are important to you. These past nine months have been exceptionally difficult. Pandemic fatigue has been setting in for a while, and the desire to be with people around the holidays makes the impact of today’s news even more difficult.

You, your family, and your peers have had to rise to the occasion, learning how to find ways through this pandemic. As a community, together it remains our duty and responsibility to minimize exposure to COVID-19. That means taking every precautionary step we can to keep people in good health.

While in lockdown, CLGW will continue to prioritize support in our Residential Services. While not our hope, prioritizing Residential Services may result in disruptions or delays to some of our other services.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and your continued efforts to keep yourself, your family, and your peers safe and healthy.

Regards,

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: 201222 – Lockdown- Holiday Short Stay or Overnight Essential Visits Update

18 December 2020

Dear people we support and your families,

The holidays are a time for family to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on what the past year has brought to their lives. We know this is important to you. This year, Public Health guidance is asking us to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. That means that coming together might need to look a little different. I would like to share the following information with you so you know how we are going to support you during the holidays this year. Offering congregate living supports through our Residential Services, Community Living Guelph Wellington has to balance restrictions set out by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, as well as what our local Public Health puts forward. Sometimes, this balancing act is easy because everything is in alignment. However, sometimes it’s finding a balance and a blend between the two that also aligns with CLGW’s mission.

As you know, earlier this week, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health moved into Red-Control, of the COVID-19 Response Framework.

They are also strongly recommending that people stay home for the holidays, avoid any unnecessary contact, travel, or leaving of the home. While celebrating the holidays, they are recommending that you only celebrate with those who live within your household. To read more WDG Public Health’s recommendations, please go here: https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/news/stay-home-holidays

Right now, MCCSS is still allowing Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits. Therefore, we are going to help you plan to have your family visit if that is what you wish.

As a service provider, we understand that Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits are good for a person’s mental health and wellbeing.

We understand that there are a number of people we support who want to visit their families over the holidays. So, we have developed guidelines, which are a blend of the requirements between MCCSS and WDG Public Health. These guidelines will help maintain the good health and wellbeing of everyone. That includes people we support, their families, and our staff. It is an expectation that you follow these guidelines.

Holiday Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits

The short stay or overnight essential visit must be necessary for the person’s mental health and wellbeing.
The short stay or overnight essential visit is to their family’s home.
The restrictions placed upon the people we support while living in a congregate setting, still apply when they are home with their family.
1. This means that when visiting the family home, trips outside of the home are for essential reasons only (work, volunteering, school, medical appointments or exercise).
2. Right now, recreational activities outside of the residence are suspended. This applies when visiting the family home too. Examples of recreational activities include: going to a restaurant or for coffee, visiting someone else’s home, going bowling or to a movie theatre, going to the bank or getting a haircut or other non-essential personal care activities.
The person supported must not be visiting with any non-household members.
The number of people in the family home must be 5 or less.
The short stay or overnight essential visit must be pre-approved by the Supervisor or Manager.
People we support and their families are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in CLGW Safety Policy – SA38 Visitor Guidelines, available here: https://clgw.ca/sa38
If a person is staying overnight with their family, whether it’s one night or many, they will be required to complete a 14-day enhanced precautions when returning to CLGW from their essential overnight visit. This is explained in SA38 Visitor Guidelines.
If a person develops COVID-19 related symptoms while on their short stay or overnight essential visit, they must remain at the family home. If symptoms present, please contact your Supervisor immediately to inform them, and contact Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health for next steps. The person cannot return to the residence until WDG Public Health gives the okay.

We know that this is a lot of information, and that you have some difficult decisions to make. It’s challenging to find the balance between what’s allowed, and what’s not. We’re in this together. We are collectively responsible for limiting exposure to COVID-19, and continuing to promote good health and wellbeing for everyone in our community.

Going home for the holidays is a choice that involves some risk. Our hope is that these guidelines will help to lessen the risks to the person going home, and to all of the people they will come into contact with while visiting the family and when they return to CLGW.

Thank you for your understanding, and for continuing to maintain the good health of your family.

Regards,

Cindy Kinnon
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: 201218 – Red Restrictions and Holiday Short Stay or Overnight Essential Visits_FAMILY

20 November 2020

Dear people we support and families,

In follow up to Tuesday’s letter, we wanted to provide some clarity around the restrictions involved in Enhanced Precautions.

Essential visitors are permitted

Essential visitors are people who visit for the purposes of maintaining the health, wellbeing and safety, or any applicable legal rights, of someone living in our residences. This visitor could be: a social services worker, a health care provider, or even a family member or caregiver visiting for these specific purposes.

Essential visitors may also be service providers that are providing an essential service that supports the ongoing operation of the residence (i.e. a contractor).

Non-essential visits are permitted, with limitations:

Supervised only
Physically distanced only
Outdoor visits only
Indoor visits are suspended

Non-essential visits are generally social visits, or visitors who provide a non-essential service (such as family or friend social visits).

Non-essential visits may still occur outside. However, indoor visits by non-essential visitors are suspended.

Day programs/supports are permitted, but limited to a max group size (including staff) of 5 people

CLGW residents attending day programs or day supports with any service provider, can attend if the maximum group size is 5 people (including staff), while in MCCSS’s Enhanced Precautions.

Recreational activities outside of the residence are suspended (activities like going to a restaurant or for coffee, going bowling or to a movie theatre, going to the bank or getting a haircut)

While in MCCSS’s Enhanced Precautions, people supported living in residences are limited in the activities they may do.

The intent behind limiting recreational activities outside of the residence, is to limit the spread of COVID-19. Taking part in recreational activities that are indoors (such as walking inside a mall), removing the mask (i.e. eating or drinking in close proximity with others), or being in situations where social distancing can’t be maintained (such as shopping), are all factors in why recreational activities are limited.

We understand this is a broad restriction, and it’s quite difficult to put into practice.

However, we understand that mental health is important. Activities like nature walks, van rides, or even just a walk around the neighbourhood, while limiting the number of people you have contact with, are permitted.

At this time, please limit activities to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health area. Other Public Health jurisdictions have differing precautions in place that would need to be reviewed and planned for if leaving WDG Public Health’s area.

If there’s any concern or questions, please get in touch with your supervisor.

Health and well-being activities outside of residence are permitted (activities like a medical appointment, school, work, volunteering or visiting family at their family home)

Medical appointments, school, work, volunteering or visiting family at their family home are all important to maintaining the health and well-being of the people we support.

While visiting the family home, we are requesting that families recognize and follow the same restrictions placed upon our residences by MCCSS, while the person is visiting their home. That means following the current restrictions placed upon us by MCCSS (Enhanced Precautions), the restrictions placed upon our entire communities (Orange-Restrict), as well as the rules and guidelines for visits, created in consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. For example, while visiting the family home, the person supported shouldn’t be visiting with non-household members. They also shouldn’t be going to other people’s homes, or having any indoor visits. They also shouldn’t be going to a restaurant, shopping, or other recreational activities outside of the family home.

If you have any questions or concerns about what a health and well-being activity may be, please get in touch with your supervisor.

Essential overnight absences are permitted

Like an essential visitor, essential overnight absences are permitted for the health and well-being of the people we support.

Visiting the family home is permitted. However, we are requesting that families recognize and follow the same restrictions placed upon our residences by MCCSS, while the person is visiting their home. That means following the current restrictions placed upon us by MCCSS (Enhanced Precautions), the restrictions placed upon our entire communities (Orange-Restrict), as well as the rules and guidelines for visits, created in consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. For example, while visiting the family home, the person supported shouldn’t be visiting with non-household members. They also shouldn’t be going to other people’s homes, or having any indoor visits. They also shouldn’t be going to a restaurant, shopping, or other recreational activities outside of the family home.

Please note that Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is encouraging people to only celebrate the holidays with those who are within their household.

If at any time, you have questions about what restrictions are in place, please connect with the residence.

We know that this is incredibly difficult. We’re collectively tired from the restrictions, and from the fear of becoming ill. However, while positive COVID-19 cases surge around us, your continued efforts and diligence, and working together with each other, can maintain the good health of your families, the people we support, our staff, and our community.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-11-20 | 201120 CLGW Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1

17 November 2020

Dear people we support and families

As of yesterday, Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health moved into the Orange-Restrict level of the Ontario COVID-19 Framework. What that means is available here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open#orange

Late Friday, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services also announced that Wellington Dufferin Guelph developmental services organization will be moving into Enhanced Precautions. That announcement came by way of memo, which can be read here: https://clgw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Memo-2-Enhanced-Precautions-Wellington-ENG.pdf

As of Wednesday, November 18th, the following restrictions will impact our services:

Non-essential visits are permitted, with limitations:
- Supervised only
- Physically distanced only
- Outdoor visits only
- Indoor visits are suspended
Recreational activities outside of residence are suspended (activities like going to a restaurant or for coffee, going bowling or to a movie theatre)
Day programs/supports are permitted, but limited to a max group size (including staff) of 5 people
Essential visitors are permitted
Essential overnight absences are permitted
Health and well-being activities outside of residence are permitted (activities like a medical appointment, school, work, or visiting with family at the family home)

To learn more about the MCCSS congregate care precaution levels, please go here: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/CongregateCare.aspx

This week, CLGW’s Lessening Restrictions Committee will be coming together to discuss if further definition is needed around this announcement.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-11-17

19 October 2020

Dear families and friends,

Today, we’re sharing with you an update to Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1.

This update now reflects indoor visits at the residence. These visits are available to family and friends of the person receiving residential support. These visits, along with continuing outdoor visits while the weather permits, can be very helpful towards the mental health of those living at the residence.

Please take a moment to review the rules and guidelines.

Indoor visits will be available starting Friday October 23, 2020.

For some of our residences, maintaining appropriate physical distancing during an indoor visit may not be possible. As such, we have worked to designate additional CLGW locations to host indoor visits.

When you call to schedule your indoor visit (at least 72 hours in advance), you will be informed if your visit is happening at the residence or at a designated CLGW location. Any special instructions will be given to you in advance of the visit.

Screening before and after your visit will still take place regardless of location. Remaining in the designated areas during the visit will still be in effect. Use of other areas of the location (i.e. washrooms) will remain prohibited.

Some Direct Support Professionals will be resuming one-to-one planning meetings with the people we support. Stay tuned if you’re awaiting one of these planning sessions. These will also occur at a designated CLGW location.

While we are introducing Indoor Visits this week, we are closely monitoring COVID-19 impact in our community, and our surrounding communities. The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has released a helpful tool, explaining the varying levels of precautions a service provider may experience.

It’s available here: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/CongregateCare.aspx

As of right now, service providers in Wellington County are in the Additional Precautions level. However, should our community’s COVID-19 risk increase, we may be moved into Enhanced Precautions or Outbreak/Comprehensive Precautions. In both of these levels, a number of restrictions will be re-instated on the people we support and our services, which could include suspension of recreational outings, non-essential indoor visits, and more.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-10-19

14 September 2020

Good afternoon everyone,

We’re sharing with you a survey sent to us by the University of British Columbia’s Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship.

The survey will be used to measure the international impact of COVID-19 on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as their caregivers. The survey data will be shared with the UCD Centre for Disability Studies in Ireland, as part of a comprehensive international study undertaken by 26 researchers across 19 countries.

Please click here to take the survey

This survey is for anyone 18 years of age or older. The survey is best completed by: a family member of a person (any age) with an intellectual or developmental disability; or a paid staff member supporting a person (any age) with an intellectual or developmental disability.

The survey may take up to 25 minutes to complete.

The survey will close on September 20, 2020.

All data shared as part of your responses to the survey, will not be seen by Community Living Guelph Wellington.

Thanks in advance for your consideration! Your responses will help provide a picture of what people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are experiencing right now, during a pandemic.

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Links included in this email: https://ucdpsychology.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_80RDSUjDPF6hgnH?Q_Language=EN-CA

10 September 2020

Dear people we support and families,

In our last letter, we shared that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services lifted a number of restrictions. These restrictions centred on visiting with friends and family, attending school, shopping, errands, appointments, and essential overnight absences.

A few updates have been added to the initial release from MCCSS, which is available in its entirety here.

With these changes, we consulted Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health, as well as our Lessening Restrictions Committee, and our leadership team to understand how we can move each of these areas forward.

Today, we would like to introduce to you Lessening Restrictions – Phase 4.

This phase focuses on Short-Stay Absences and Essential Overnight Absences. It outlines the safety guidelines we have put into place for the people we support and anyone involved in the absences. These safety guidelines are progressive, and rely on our region remaining in Stage 3 of Re-Opening Ontario. They are also meant to protect the good health of the person enjoying the absence, as well as everyone living and working at the residence they will return to.

So what’s a Short-Stay Absence?

It could be attending a volunteer opportunity or a private day program. It could be visiting with friends or family during the day. It could be meeting a friend at a restaurant for dinner or running an errand. A Short-Stay Absence is going out with purpose, and an opportunity to promote emotional-wellbeing for the person supported.

These absences are flexible, but we want to be thoughtful about impact. Each time someone joins a community activity, they increase their contact with others and potentially increase the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. For now, we are encouraging activities, but asking that some thoughtfulness be given to just doing one or two activities per day for right now.

For the time being, transportation to and from a Short-Stay Absence will be by CLGW staff. Families may also want to be involved in the transportation and will be expected to follow our Lessening Restrictions – Phase 2 guidelines. Public transportation and other communal vehicles are not recommended at this time, as there is a possible increased risk of COVID-19 exposure. Taxis may be used in the event that no other private transportation can be arranged.

If the person needs support while participating in their Short-Stay Absence (i.e. employment support, support while volunteering), this will be reviewed on a case by case basis with the residence’s supervisor to ensure we have enough staffing to support the needs of everyone.

Direct Support Professionals will help the person supported learn about, and understand the safety guidelines they need to follow while participating in a Short-Stay Absence.

Essential Overnight Absences and Enhanced Precautions

Spending a night at the family home, or enjoying a weekend away from the residence can be help promote good mental health.

Upon returning from an Essential Overnight Absence, a 14-day Enhanced Precautions is now required. Please take a moment to read through Lessening Restrictions – Phase 4, to understand what all is involved expected in Enhanced Precautions.

When essential overnight absences are scheduled, families will be asked the questions included in SA38 Visitor Guidelines. These questions include how many people may be frequenting your family home, and how many people the person supported might come into contact with. We cannot limit the number of people the person supported sees while home, but if we work together to keep the cohort small and manageable, it will help in the event someone does become ill.

For someone participating in an essential overnight absence, they may also participate in Short-Stay Absences during their 14-day Enhanced Precautions. Again, thoughtfulness around the number of activities someone is participating in will be our most effective measure to ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone living in a residence.

In the MCCSS release, you will notice a new ‘visitor type’, called Designated Visitor. At this time, we’re doing a little more research and planning around who exactly would be a designated visitor, and how best to roll this out.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this next phase of Lessening Restrictions. While this is a progressive change, we will be consulting with WDG Public Health frequently to see if we need to make adjustments to our preventative measures. This may mean tightening up on some restrictions again, or progressing a little quicker than you might expect. We’re always here, and open to feedback, questions and concerns. Together, we hope that we can safely see our community thrive again.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-09-10 | 200910 CLGW Lessening Restrictions – Phase 4 | SA38 Visitor Guidelines v.200910

1 September 2020

Dear people we support and families,

On Friday, we learned from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that a number of restrictions were being lifted immediately. These restrictions centred on visiting with friends and family, attending school, shopping, errands, appointments, and essential overnight absences.

Thankfully, we have some guidelines in place to support appointments, errands, and having friends or family visit at the residence. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be developing more guidelines to support these lessened restrictions, promoting the safety and health of everyone involved.

We appreciate your understanding through this process. If you have any feedback, ideas, or concerns, please connect with your residence’s supervisor.

Read the full release from MCCSS here.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-09-01

13 August 2020

Dear people we support and families,

We have been looking at a variety of solutions that can address the rigidness of our schedules, while still keeping us in line with the current emergency orders, MCCSS’ Guidance documents and Public Health Requirements.

For the past several months, there have been a number of mandates in place that effect our Direct Support Professional teams. While these restrictions have been helpful towards limiting the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in our residences, they have also created a variety of pressure points for staff.

Today, we’re sharing a number of changes to these mandates.

As we work towards our new normal, our staff will continue to be diligent with the preventative measures we do have in place. From the COVID-19 self-screening, to excellent hand hygiene and sanitation, each preventative measure plays a vital role in ensuring that the people we support are healthy and safe.

One Employer Mandate

Early on into the pandemic, the Ontario Government set forward a one-employer mandate for congregate care staff. This mandate limited employees to working for just one congregate care employer (including Long Term Care and Retirement Homes). CLGW broadened the scope of that mandate, so that DSPs were limited to just one employer, regardless of environment, unless working remotely.

For staff who have alternate employment that is not in the congregate care setting (including Long Term Care and Retirement Homes), this mandate is being lifted.

For those who have alternate employment in congregate care (including Long Term and Retirement Homes), we will be revisiting this restriction in September, with advice from the IPAC assessments and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

One-Residence Mandate

To help mitigate internal spread of COVID-19, CLGW proactively implemented a one-residence, or one-location mandate. This preventative measure limited DSPs to just one location, creating a static team to fill the supports needs of that residence.

We will be progressively relaxing this restriction. Staff who are not currently working the maximum hours for their classification, and who have indicated their ability to pick up more shifts, will be assigned up to one other residence to receive or pick-up shifts. An additional residence may be added at a later date based on need and demand. However, if a residence is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, staff will be limited to just one location.

With these changes in mind, the number of DSPs who can support a residence or service will increase. That being said, COVID-19 has also presented a variety of challenges for the people we support, which may shift the number of support hours a residence requires. Supervisors and Managers, alongside their teams, will be re-assessing the support levels needed at each residence and service.

While our teams work through the changes, we will continue to hold on recruiting new staff until September. This will offer our current teams, as well as those who have been on leave, the opportunity to rejoin the schedule and establish their hours of work.

As we continue to lessen restrictions, sharing feedback, questions, and concerns with your residential supervisor is very helpful. Conversation and dialogue helps to identify concerns we may not have been aware of (or to what extent), and helps us brainstorm and navigate change as it happens. Working together is more important than ever. We appreciate your support and thoughtfulness as we take these next steps.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley
Executive Director

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-08-13

30 July 2020

In June, we shared with you Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1. This was our first step towards offering family visits at our residences for the people we support.

Today, we are sharing with you an update to these visitor rules and guidelines. This letter contains a summary of the changes you will see.

Visitors no longer have to attest to a negative COVID-19 test result in the 14 days leading up to their visit. We announced this when the Government of Ontario relaxed this expectation. However, if you have been or are presently feeling unwell, please stay home and reschedule your visit. We want you to visit, but it needs to be safe to do so. Your health is important, as well as the health of the people we support and our staff.
Previously, visits were specific to family members. These visits may now include friends. Friends may include people living in other CLGW residences. The same visitor rules and guidelines will apply to all visitors, including the people we support.
However, we aren’t quite ready to have someone living in a CLGW residence, visit a friend living in a non-CLGW residence. This may include a family home, their own apartment, or even at a public place.
For now, we are focusing on outdoor visits only. Many of our residences experience unique challenges when hosting an indoor physically distant visit, for up to four people (two visitors, one person we support, one staff member as needed). We are still working on finding creative solutions that work for each residence.
Visits may now occur two times per week. Visits are still limited to a maximum of one hour per visit, and a maximum of two visitors.
To schedule your visit, please contact the residence. Previously, visits were to be scheduled through the residence’s supervisor. This is no longer the case.
If you need an accommodation to successfully visit someone we support, please do not hesitate to contact your residence’s supervisor. Accommodations will be reviewed on a case by case basis, and the supervisor may be able to approve extenuating circumstances.
All visitors are expected to review the IPAC Package for visitors in Congregate Living Settings before visiting.

If you have questions about what’s expected of you as a visitor, please reach out to your residence’s supervisor before scheduling your visit.

The complete updated Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1 is available here.

As a helpful reminder, if visiting in person isn’t the best option for you, you can always arrange for a video call with the residence. Each residence has a tablet for this purpose, thanks to the generosity of our community at the beginning of this pandemic.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-07-30 | 200730 CLGW Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1 | IPAC Package for visitors in Congregate Living Settings

29 July 2020

Dear people we support and families,

We are really excited to see that other community organizations are starting to re-open because of Phase 3. These organizations have always been a vital part of the network of developmental services that are available in Guelph and Wellington County.

As you know, we have been taking a little more time. Your patience and understanding has afforded us the opportunity to have meaningful and realistic conversations about what restrictions we could lessen because of Phase 3. Our conversations are continuing, and they revolve around health and safety, as well as what great support looks like in the time of COVID-19 and beyond. We are discussing all of our services, whether open or closed.

We have heard a variety of concerns about lessening the restrictions for any of our closed services right now. We’ve also heard a variety of concerns about recent relaxations by the government around indoor visits. When we’re hearing similar conversations from our service leaders, our Direct Support Professionals, our Lessening Restrictions committee, and our key stakeholders, we must listen. Their message has been clear: we need to be cautious, and we need to be sure.

As an organization that provides services in all aspects of a person’s everyday life, we want to be providing the best support we possibly can.

It’s challenging to see the limitations that are in place.

We have discussed what it would look like to lessen restrictions to a service we provide, and then close it again. We tried to suss out what we thought the mental health impact would be to open and close again. We have also tried to measure the risk of re-opening community-driven services.

Our staffing teams were a critical piece that stood out in our conversations. To provide the best support we possibly can, our staff need support too.

During the first few weeks of COVID-19, our Direct Support Professionals from our closed services were re-deployed to residences. Shortly after, our staff were mandated to work at just one employer to help prevent spread of COVID-19. Many DSPs across our sector work more than one job to make ends meet. They give tirelessly of themselves. So of course, this mandate caused a dip in our residential staffing team, but our re-deployed DSPs helped bridge that gap. To further stop the spread of COVID-19, staff were limited to just one residence within CLGW. Through both of these changes, each residential team rose to the occasion of providing the best support they could.

Our staff have been phenomenal throughout this pandemic. We’re hearing time and again about how much their diligence and thoughtfulness has been the difference maker in keeping the people we support healthy and safe. For those staff who have been with us throughout the pandemic, they need a break. They need time to take care of themselves.

We’re looking at a variety of solutions that could address the rigidness of our schedules, while still keep us in line with the current emergency orders, MCCSS’ Guidance documents and Public Health requirements. This includes reviewing both the one employer limitation, and the one residence limitation. Our staff need to take time to re-energize, and come back to the work that they love.

Lessening restrictions on our closed services would mean depleting some of those residential staffing teams. For us, it would mean not providing the best support we possibly can in a time of COVID-19.

We have also reallocated some of our resources when we built our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan. When there’s a COVID-19 related illness at one of our residences, Public Health mandates that each person living at the residence must self-isolate. This is to help prevent further spread of the virus. For those who can’t tolerate self-isolating, we had to determine a variety of places across our organization where someone we support could temporarily re-locate. Our day sites are some of those temporary residential spaces. Right now, one day site is already hosting people we support, to help lower the number of people living in one residence. This too is a preventative measure, to ensure that if someone were to get ill, we’re minimizing the spread the best we can.

For right now, we will continue to pause on our closed services.

Thank you for your understanding and support throughout this pandemic.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-07-29

21 July 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Last week, we shared with you the government’s announcement around non-essential visitors.

In that letter, we shared that July 22 was the expected start date for indoor visits. To prepare us for this next phase, we have requested feedback and support from our staff to build clear guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone involved. At this time, we are still working on those guidelines. We will also involve our Lessening Restrictions Committee in this process.

We look forward to getting these guidelines in place as soon as we can, and we thank you for your patience with this process.

The government announcement also included the introduction of essential overnight absences (e.g. to a family home), considered necessary to maintain the health, wellness and safety, or any applicable legal rights, of a resident. We are also working on guidelines that will support moving this forward in the very near future.

We expect that these guidelines will continue to evolve over time. We appreciate your flexibility and attention as new information and new criteria is shared.

In our Lessening Restrictions – Phase I and guidelines we included the following:

All visitors must attest to having a negative COVID-19 test result, within the previous two weeks and subsequently not tested positive. CLGW is not responsible for providing the test.

As a reminder, this attestation is no longer required.

You can read more about MCCSS guidelines for visits here.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-07-21

16 July 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Thank you for your patience, feedback, and understanding these past few weeks. We appreciate you’re understanding as we adapt and make changes to our Lessening Restrictions guidelines.

Yesterday afternoon, the Government of Ontario announced their updated guidelines for outdoor visits in Long Term Care facilities. These updates were effective immediately. They also announced their progressive plan to include indoor visits, beginning July 22, 2020. Shortly after, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services released their updated visiting guidelines.

The MCCSS release is available here.

We are really excited to see this positive step forward for the people we support and their families. The people we support experience social isolation in a variety of ways and this pandemic has really put an exclamation mark on that. Having progressive steps that help reconnect the people we support, with those who matter most to them, is essential.

Effective immediately for CLGW, families no longer have to attest to having a negative COVID-19 test within the two weeks prior to the visit.

Supervisors, Managers and the Lessening Restrictions Committee will be discussing how best to implement indoor visits. We recognize that each of our residences has unique features and circumstances that need to be considered to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at the residence. This includes considering where in the residence visits can occur, how to best bring visitors into the residence, and so much more.

Once we have this information sorted out, we will share it with you.

Earlier this week, we released to staff an update to Lessening Restrictions – Phase 2.

For some of the people we support, their primary hair dresser or bank is not within their immediate neighbourhood or community. For some communities there is only one drive thru, which can be very limiting.

We are requiring that drives remain in Guelph and Wellington County for now. This helps to ensure we continue to follow all Public Health directives, to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support and staff.

There are also some circumstances, where it is necessary to go for a drive that is longer than two hours. As an example – perhaps someone gets their haircut by a hairdresser in another town. This drive and appointment may take more than two hours.

Staff will be working alongside the people we support to arrange for these drives, appointments, and coordinating with Supervisors around extenuating circumstances.

The Government of Ontario has also extended most emergency orders, through to July 29, 2020.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-07-16

9 July 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Today, we’re ready to introduce Lessening Restrictions – Phase 3.

Our Lessening Restrictions Committee has been hard at work, discussing the different ways our services can move forward, while still ensuring the safety and good health of the people we support, their families, and our staff.

In Phase 3, you will find that our focus is on banking, haircuts and foot care.

As of today, July 9^th, the people we support can begin booking appointments again, for haircuts, foot care, and banking in person (an appointment is not always necessary).

This adds to our Lessening Restrictions – Phase 2, which focused on re-introducing going for drives in CLGW vehicles, for the people we support.

We think this is just one of many important phases to come, that addresses personal care, choice, and autonomy for the people we support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please connect with your residence’s supervisor.

A few weeks back, we reported to you that two Direct Support Professionals, and two people we support had tested positive for COVID-19. Today, we’re happy to report that all of these positive cases have been resolved, and that the residence is no longer required to self-isolate. Both Direct Support Professionals are returning to work this week. This team has been very resilient through this time. They worked collaboratively and thoughtfully to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

Also, a family member shared with us a resource that we think might be helpful to have! CAMH has created a Self-help Booklet Series for people with developmental disabilities, that can be used with the support family members, friends, staff and health care professionals. Each booklet comes with a how-to guide, and the booklets are intended to encourage conversations about feelings and making plans for staying well during COVID-19. Some of the booklets address an introduction to COVID-19, feeling anxious, feeling down, getting active, and having a good night’s sleep, amongst others.

We hope that you will these helpful: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19/faq-and-resources/self-help-booklet-series

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-07-09 | 200708 CLGW Lessening Restrictions – Phase 3

2 July 2020

Dear people we support and families,

This week, we have finalized Lessening Restrictions – Phase 2. Please give it a read.

In Phase 1, we worked diligently to setup safe outside family visits for the people we support. Our next phase is focused on going for drives in a Community Living Guelph Wellington vehicle.

In an effort to promote mental health and well-being, drives are a helpful way to reconnect the people we support with things they enjoy outside of their immediate neighbourhood.

As of July 3rd, 2020, people we support can go for a drive up to two times per week, up to 2 hours per drive in a CLGW vehicle with a Direct Support Professional.

This phase also offers greater flexibility, so that the people we support can drive-by a family member or friend’s house and visit, while staying within the vehicle and having good physical distancing practices.

If you have any questions or concerns, please connect with your residence’s supervisor.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-07-02 | 200630 CLGW Lessening Restrictions – Phase II

23 June 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Last week, we shared with you that a person we support and a staff member, located at the same residence, had tested positive for COVID-19.

In our next steps with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, all staff working at the residence, as well as those living there, received COVID-19 testing.

From those results, another person we support and a staff member have tested positive.

As advised by WDG Public Health, those who were in close contact of the four positive cases are required to isolate to limit any potential spread, as follows:

Staff for this residence will be participating in a work-home isolation, until advised otherwise.
People supported in this residence will be self-isolating to a specific area of this residence.

We will continue our work alongside the local health authority, as well as within the team at the residence to ensure that staff and the people we support are safe and have the support they need.

This is a challenging virus, and it affects everyone differently. We continue to hope for a speedy recovery and good health for the people we support, as well as our Direct Support Professionals. We’re looking forward to everyone returning to the residence, when they are healthy and ready to do so.

Tomorrow, June 24^th, is a Developmental Service Worker Appreciation Day, an initiative by CUPE. If you have a moment, please visit our social media channels after 8am tomorrow morning. We will have posted a letter, and invite you to leave a note of appreciation for a Direct Support Professional who has had a positive impact on your, or your family’s life.

You can find us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLGuelphWell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clguelphwell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clguelphwell/

Last week, you would have received a memo regarding Guelph Transit re-instating their bus fares. While our required restrictions have not changed, we do support a variety of people living outside of our residential settings. CLGW acts as a hub for bus passes for many of the people we support. We are mindful that public transportation information might also be important for anyone receiving services in the Guelph area, as well as staff who may take the bus to work. We apologize for any confusion this memo might have created – however, previous restrictions do remain in place.

As you may know, the Government of Ontario continues to extend emergency orders. The latest extension is through to June 30th, 2020.

Also, Ontario.ca has some helpful mental health resources for staff and families.

You will find Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy available to you, to help cope with stress, isolation, pressure caring for family members or community members, information overload and more. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people#icbt

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-06-23

17 June 2020

Dear people we support and families,

This morning, we learned that a person we support and a staff member, located at the same residence, have tested positive for COVID-19.

The person we support is receiving appropriate medical care, and they are doing well.

The staff member who tested positive has not reported to work since June 14^th. They are currently self-isolating at home for the required period of time.

We are working closely with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health to ensure the safety and health of the people we support and our staff. For those in close contact, they have been notified by Public Health, and were informed about what measures they need to take. This will include immediate and necessary measures for the residence affected, as well as required guidelines to limit risk and spread.

We have informed families of the people we support living at this residence, as well as all staff who work there.

Prior to these two positive test results, this residence had received its universal surveillance testing. All of those who were tested, received a negative COVID-19 test result at the time.

As advised by WDG Public Health, those who were receiving support or in close contact of the two positive cases, are required to self-isolate to limit any potential spread. Staff for this residence will be participating in a work-home isolation, for 14 days or until advised otherwise. People supported will be self-isolating to a specific area of this residence.

A second universal surveillance test will be performed as soon as possible.

To also help keep people safe, staff and those living in the residence are wearing additional Personal Protective Equipment.

Our staff continue to complete an Active Screening Checklist, to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Should a staff member fail this screening, they are instructed to not report to their shift. A failed screening instructs the staff member to seek out medical advice regarding whether or not they should be tested.

We will increase our twice-daily health checks for the people we support living at this residence. This includes monitoring for symptoms, as well as temperature checks. We have also sanitized the residence, and will continue to use an increased disinfecting and hygiene procedure.

We hope for a speedy recovery and good health for the person we support, as well as our staff member. As an organization, we have been very fortunate in our good health throughout this pandemic. Our Direct Support Professionals have been tremendous in following procedures and processes that help to keep people safe and healthy. We are grateful, truly, for all that they are doing.

We will continue our work alongside the local health authority, and take every preventative measure available to us, to protect the health and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-06-17

12 June 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Earlier this week, we were finalizing our rules and guidelines for outdoor family visits. As you may have heard, the Government of Ontario announced their criteria for these visits, yesterday. Of note from this announcement, the government is requiring visitors to attest that they have received a negative COVID-19 test result in the previous two weeks, and subsequently not tested positive. The residence is not responsible for providing the testing for visitors.

Attached, you will find Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1. In Phase 1, we focused on family visits for the people we support, and the rules and guidelines needed to do that safely.

These rules and guidelines capture the Government of Ontario’s requirements, as well as some unique requirements for our organization. The rules and guidelines have also been reviewed and vetted by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

Please take a minute to read through all of the rules and guidelines. If you have any questions, please connect with the supervisor for your family member’s residence.

These last few months have been a very stressful and challenging time for everyone. As we lessen restrictions, we ask for your patience and understanding. We have been doing our best to keep the people we support and our staff safe and healthy through all of this.

As a visitor, you have a variety of responsibilities that will help keep everyone safe who live and work at the residence.

We ask that you respect the rules and guidelines that have been put into place, and to ask questions if you do not understand them.
Please answer the screening questions honestly.
Your visit is limited to your family member, and at this time will not include other people supported.
We also ask for your patience and understanding. We want you to visit with your family member and we need to ensure everyone’s safety when doing so.

When you visit, you can expect the following:

You will have been asked, at the time of scheduling your visit, if you have received a negative COVID-19 test result in the previous two weeks.
Outside of the entrance to the residence, you will be asked a variety of screening questions and will have your temperature taken before visiting with your family member.
You will also be screened again when you leave.
You are expected to bring your own chair, snacks and refreshments, as well as a mask to your visit.
You are expected to wear a mask at all times, and maintain six (6) feet of physical distance.
You won’t be able to share your snacks with the person you are visiting.
Your visit may be supervised.

With your help, we can continue to keep the people we support and our staff safe and healthy through these visits.

Earlier this week, the Chief Medical Officer for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health announced that face coverings are mandatory in all commercial establishments, as of 12:01 am, today.

The order allows commercial establishments the right to refuse people entry if they are not wearing a face covering. It also mandates that businesses have to have alcohol-based rub available at entrances.

In an effort to ensure safety while in the community, we are distributing two cloth masks to every Direct Support Professional, as well as to the people we support.

The people we support will also have to wear a mask while visiting commercial establishments in our community. Some of the people we support may want to begin wearing a mask for their own comfort and peace of mind.

The cloth masks that the people we support and our DSPs will be receiving, were donations from a long list of generous community members. These donors took a keen interest in ensuring the health and safety of the people we support. These masks were often hand sewn, made with care, or purchased from a skilled maker.

These cloth masks will be shared with Direct Support Professionals and the people we support living in our residences, first. This is to help minimize what risks we can to our congregate care settings.

To help understand the role a non-medical mask can have in your safety and health, Public Health of Ontario has provided a Non-medical Masks and Face Coverings Guide. We are also sharing a plain language graphic that explains the use of a cloth mask.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-06-12

Download the Outdoor Family Visits Rules and Guidelines: Lessening Restrictions – Phase 1 for CLGW

9 June 2020

Dear people we support and families,

We hope you and your family are well and healthy.

Yesterday, we learned more about Stage 2 of re-opening the Ontario economy. As our team has been discussing next steps for our organization, and lessening restrictions, this news offers a pivot for what our organization can do. We are also seeing other organizations in our community share what their plans are as well.

To help us in this transition, we have assembled a Lessening Restrictions Committee. Their goal is to research, discuss, and plan more steps for our organization. This committee includes people we support, family members and varying levels of staff (both unionized and not). Our hope is to have a good cross-section of our organization present to discuss how we can lessen restrictions in a meaningful and safe way. We are looking forward to what they recommend in the coming weeks.

We are also nearly ready to share with you about outdoor family visits. These visits can begin as early as June 18, 2020, just in time for Father’s Day. For these visits, a strict rules and regulations list will be shared, that families, the people we support, and staff need to follow. For example, all visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times during their visit.

The rules and regulations have been guided, and vetted, by Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health, and are required to ensure the health and wellbeing of all involved. Your support of these rules and regulations helps ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone that lives and works at the residence you are visiting. We truly appreciate your help. Stay tuned for more details coming this week.

The Government of Ontario has extended Emergency Orders through to June 19, 2020.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-06-09

29 May 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Collectively, we have all worked very hard to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff. We’re grateful that families have taken our visitor restrictions and preventative measures seriously. However, we also understand that it’s been a long eleven weeks and that there have been points throughout this pandemic where you have wanted to physically visit with your loved one. To help ensure that additional COVID-19 testing does not need to be done or that we do not need to implement 14-day isolation periods as directed by health officials when uncontrolled contact occurs, please continue to respect CLGW’s visitor limitation. All nonessential visitors are not allowed at any of our locations for the time being. We are actively working with local health officials, as well as staff groups, to build a plan for families to visit with their loved ones. We want visits to happen, but they need to be in a safe, respectful and controlled way to ensure the wellbeing of everyone in the residence. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

On Wednesday, the Government of Ontario announced that they are extending all emergency orders through to June 9^th, 2020. This extension goes beyond the Declaration of Emergency, which was extended by the Ontario Legislature through to June 2^nd.

Earlier this week, Universal Surveillance Testing began at our residences. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will be taking a staggered approach to testing. This means that a few residences will be tested at a time, with the goal that all residences will be tested by the middle of June. Staff, as well as the people we support, will be tested at each residence. As per last week’s communication to you, it is important to CLGW that the people we support understand and give consent before receiving their test.

Temporary pandemic pay has been top of mind for our staff for quite a while now. While CLGW hasn’t received all of the required information from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services yet, we are moving forward. Our staff learned yesterday that Direct Support Professionals will be receiving a retroactive payment for the $4/hour pandemic premium, as well as the first lump sum amount for those working more than 100 hours in a month. Both of these payments are based on hours worked. We’re excited to roll out these retroactive payments.

Nothing about COVID-19 has been ordinary, routine, or expected. But as an entire staff group, our DSPs have risen to the challenge of keeping themselves and the people we support safe and healthy. Their work is making a difference. And in some small way, this financial compensation from our government is an acknowledgement of the tremendous work that they are doing every single day.

We know that you may be wondering just how long this pandemic will last. It’s top of mind for us too. The challenge that our organization is facing as a service provider, as a collective team who provides support to people, is complex. Along our COVID-19 journey, we have had to consider the early effects, what was then an imminent threat of illness for the people we support and our staff. CLGW had to make a variety of difficult decisions and put into place preventative measures, both pre-emptive and in response to measures directed by the government. We collaboratively took steps to do our best to nurture safety and wellbeing for the people we support and our staff.

As more businesses and community organizations begin to open, the preventative measures we have in place will be very important. Unfortunately, we are not through the COVID-19 pandemic just yet. While recent testing numbers from the government indicate that there are lessening positive results in many areas of our province, there are still hotspots and the potential for community spread. There is also a very real possibility that additional waves of this virus may happen. So, as we continue to discuss the lessening of restrictions for our organization, such as outside visits with families at residences, van rides, community activities and more, we will be mindful in our decisions that a second wave of this virus may come. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to plan the next phase, both internally and with community partners like Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health. We’re also open to feedback and suggestions through this. If you have ideas and suggestions, please contact and share with your loved one’s site supervisor. They will bring those ideas forward in our planning meetings.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-05-29

21 May 2020

Dear people we support and families,

On Tuesday, we received news from the Government of Ontario that all emergency orders have been extended through to May 29^th.

This week, we also learned that Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will be moving forward with universal surveillance testing in congregate care settings. This meets a provincial directive to intensify efforts that could help stop and contain the spread of COVID-19. WDG Public Health will be partnering with local health care organizations to implement testing. They will be testing all residents and staff. Those who are asymptomatic are being tested for surveillance purposes.

For Community Living Guelph Wellington, this means a staggered approach to testing. We are working with WDG Public Health to schedule a few residences a time. Each of these residences will be notified and given more information closer to their testing date.

It’s important to us that the people we support give appropriate consent prior to having a test administered. Under no circumstances can a CLGW employee give consent, written or verbal. Many of the people we support can make an informed decision and give consent. However, some cannot, and a substitute decision maker will need to be notified. As a family member for someone that we support, please know that you may receive this call.

WDG Public Health has informed us that once testing is complete, it may take between 3 and 10 days to receive results. CLGW will receive the results for the people we support. Staff members will receive their own results directly. We are requiring staff to report their results to CLGW.

We understand that universal testing may increase the number of staff or people we support who test positive even though they are asymptomatic. Through this period, we will continue to employ all preventative measures that are available to us, and will scale those measures based on positive results. We will also follow directives given by Public Health to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff.

As we move into the next phases of this pandemic, we are revisiting our one-employer and our single work-site initiatives. At this time, we are extending both preventative measures through to August 31^st, 2020. This helps our scheduling team effectively prepare for the coming months, including creating flexibility for time off requests for staff. Our teams have been working tirelessly through all of this, and being able to take time off is essential for the mental health of our staff. However, we recognize that new information, the state of emergency or emergency orders may be lifted before the end of August. Should circumstances change, we will revisit this extension.

At this time, all previously suspended services and access will remain suspended until further notice.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-05-21

14 May 2020

Dear people we support and families,

As the Government of Ontario prepares for the next phases in this pandemic, we wanted to take a moment and update you.

We heard earlier this week that the government has extended the state of emergency through to June 2^nd. This extension helps inform organizations like CLGW. It lets us know that we can stay the course, right now, with the decisions and plans we have in place. Many of those plans and decisions were impacted in some way by emergency orders enacted during this state of emergency. What we do know is that some of the decisions that were made to protect vulnerable populations, should remain in effect through all three phases of re-opening our province, as announced by the government.

So, at this time, all previously suspended services and access will remain suspended until further notice.

However, our team is looking at ways for families, friends and the people we support to visit with each other in a responsible and healthy way. While these conversations are early on and in consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, we’re discussing what that might look like. That includes practices around good physical distancing, should visits be indoors or outdoors, and variety of other criteria. We’ll have more details in the coming weeks.

This pandemic has been isolating in so many ways for the people we support, their families, and our communities. Our routines have changed. The ways we connect with each other has changed. As we imagine what our new normal might look like, it’s important that we continue to work together in an effort to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Late last week, the government announced an emergency order that allowed for school board employees to voluntarily support congregate care settings. This is great news for CLGW. In the event that one of our residential teams has to be on leave for an extended period of time, this is an added backup and assurance that we will be able to continue to provide appropriate levels of support.

We’re also in conversations with WDG Public Health to build a plan for those who want to return to their CLGW residence. This conversation is also very early on. It will be essential to have good preventative measures in place to ensure everyone’s health and wellbeing during these transitions. We will update as soon as we have more details.

Previously, we had shared about the changes to eligible expenses under the Passport program. Should you have any questions, the Passport Community Developer for Wellington/Dufferin is available and you can find more information online here.

In our last communication, we shared a couple of online trainings you could participate in. This time around, we wanted to share two mental health resources that we think might be great to have on hand.

First, from our friends in Waterloo Region, Carizon Family and Community Services has launched an online, self-serve mental health resource. Equipped with videos, practical ideas and articles, as well as useful tips and activities for a variety of ages, this website is a great tool. Check it out at: https://www.carizonforthecommunity.ca/

The folks at Shoppers Drug Mart also have a great online resource for taking care of your mental health. With tools and tips for stress management, maintaining a health mindset, meditation and stretching, as well as mindfulness, you’ll find a little bit of everything to help your state of mind. You can learn more here: https://www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/health-and-pharmacy/covid-19-mental-health

At present, we have one Direct Support Professional who is awaiting test results. To date, 34 Direct Support Professionals and 10 people who we support have been tested for COVID-19. Aside from two staff testing positive early on into the pandemic, we have been tremendously fortunate with good health across our organization. Our Direct Support Professionals are playing such an important role though all of this, adapting to changes and taking action quickly. We’re hopeful that the preventative measures we have in place will continue to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all involved.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-05-14

1 May 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Thank you for your patience, care, and resilience through this pandemic. We know that many in our communities are feeling overwhelmed and anxious. To help, we are sharing a resource sent to us by the folks at Community Living Windsor that we think may be helpful.

Linked with this letter is a free training opportunity from the folks at Community Living Windsor and Peter Marks, CEO of the Centre for Conscious Care. The second stream is geared specifically towards family members and Direct Support Professionals who are providing support to someone who may be experiencing heightened anxiety through this pandemic. The training is six sessions, held over zoom, beginning May 12. Registration details are available in the attached package.

We want to reassure you that we are taking as many preventative measures as we can, to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff. Late last week, the Ontario Government released an additional Emergency Order impacting congregate care settings. In response, we have further enhanced our screening checklists. Our staff are also wearing masks while working in CLGW residences. We’re also working with Public Health officials around universal testing and other preventative measures we can be taking to go even further in ensuring health and wellbeing through all of this.

We also heard from the government about frontline workers receiving a temporary Pandemic Pay premium. This is a well-deserved announcement, and we’re excited that our staff are being recognized for their tremendous dedication.

Again, thank you for your kindness, feedback, and help through these difficult and uncertain times.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-05-01

24 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced parts of their COVID-19 Action Plan for Vulnerable People. This plan is geared towards protecting vulnerable populations during this outbreak, and builds on previously announced measures by the government.

Right now, we’re waiting on some of the details from this plan, in an effort to ensure the health and safety of the people we support and our staff. We will continue to look to the government, as well as local health professionals, to guide preventative measures during this time.

Yesterday evening, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services released changes to eligible expenses under the Passport program. This temporary shift expands the list of eligible expenses and recognizes that many community-based activities are closed. For more details: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/serviceSupport/passport.aspx

Should we receive more details around this update to Passport, we will share those as they become available.

In previous communications, we shared that two of our staff had tested positive for COVID-19. As of yesterday, one of those staff members has recovered, which was confirmed by two negative test results from Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health. Good news indeed!

At present, we have three Direct Support Professionals and one person that we support who are awaiting test results. We continue to take measures available to us to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all involved.

Earlier this week, we received notice that we will be receiving Personal Protective Equipment from the government. We continue to source gloves, masks, gowns, and face shields in the event that we need to increase our PPE use. Some community members have generously donated handmade cloth masks, as a temporary alternative. We’re tremendously grateful for their generosity and thoughtfulness through these difficult times.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-24

22 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

In the past few days, you may have read in the news that the COVID-19 outbreak has likely peaked in Ontario. This is good news for Ontarians, and positive feedback that the precautions we are taking in our communities are working. However, congregate settings and long-term care facilities are still of increased concern.

Last week, we received some good news for our staff. We know that many of our Direct Support Professionals who have families, have been working hard to juggle work and child care. The Government of Ontario updated their list of frontline workers who qualified for Emergency Child Care to include staff working in developmental services.

We continue to work with our staff to take every preventative measure available to us. As of yesterday, we had finalized our one-employer initiative. CLGW staff who were working for more than one employer were asked to choose one employer for the duration of the pandemic. This initiative significantly helped our efforts to limit staff to cross over. By the end of this week, our staff team will be limited to one location. We have been working diligently with our scheduling, adjusting teams to ensure that we have the appropriate support levels in place for each location. This was a significant undertaking, and necessary to limit the risk of spread.

And lastly, thank you for all of your support with our Re-connecting Families fundraiser. We’re happy to share that we have ordered the necessary tablets for each of our residences. Some of those tablets have already been received and are being prepped for distribution as you read this. We couldn’t have achieved this feat without your support.

At present, all previous suspensions to service and access remain in effect.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-22

16 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Thank you! We are just $1,813.50 away from our Re-connecting Families fundraiser goal.

Thanks to your support and sharing, we’re so close to our goal of providing each and every one of our residences with a tablet. This tablet is a great resource for the people we support to reconnect with their families and friends, virtually. We have also received a few used tablets, which are currently being prepped for distribution to some of the people we support. Thank you so much for all that you’re doing to help re-connect the people we support with the people who matter most to them.

As you know, we have two staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. These two staff members were working at the same location. We are grateful to report, that six additional staff members from this location have received negative test results. We are awaiting on one more result from this location.

To date, 21 staff members and 7 people we support have been tested for COVID-19. Some of those 21 staff members have been working in Long Term Care facilities, or at other employers that have required testing regardless of symptoms. We are currently aware of 7 staff members with outstanding results, as well as two people we support who were tested over the weekend.

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that Long Term Care workers are being limited to one location. In the coming days, we will be taking similar actions with our staff in an effort to limit risk of exposure to the people we support. This includes asking staff to limit themselves to one employer. These steps will help us assess our scheduling for staff, and plan for appropriate support levels at every one of our residences. We will also be able to better develop a backup team, should staff become ill or need prolonged time off.

At present, all previous suspensions to service and access remain in effect.

We can’t thank the people we support and our families enough, for all of your generosity, understanding and support through these uncertain times.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-16

14 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Last week, we shared with you about our first positive test result for COVID-19. Over the weekend, we learned that another staff person at the same location has tested positive.

Working with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, we’ve identified staff and people supported who have come into contact with both positive cases. They are being tested, and we are taking every precautionary measure recommended by WDG Public Health.

Many of you have reached out with questions, sharing your concerns about staffing.

Over the past several weeks, our Service Managers, Supervisors and Scheduling Team have been working diligently to reduce the number of staff working at multiple sites. This is a challenging process. Support needs are different at each residential location, and the staff complement that goes with it is as individualized as the people we support. With all of that, our goal remains to limit staff members to working at just one location. We will provide a further update to this by the end of this week.

We have also taken additional measures to limit risk.

An auxiliary team of Direct Support Professionals has been created. This team will be responsible for grocery runs (where on-line ordering is not available or practical), picking up essential supplies including Personal Protective Equipment and running a variety of errands. Their role will help limit additional contact points with the public that our staff might traditionally experience. These staff members will not work directly with people supported as part of this auxiliary role.

We will continue to look to local, provincial and federal organizations, as well as health officials for guidance on how to best prevent COVID-19.

Our staff continue to do their pre-screening checklist, with guidance from the Ministry of Health, prior to every shift. Should a staff member fail this screening, they do not report for their shift.

We are also continuing our increased health checks for the people we support. In addition to monitoring for symptoms, we are taking temperatures twice a day. We continue to rigorously disinfect and employ increased hygiene protocols with all residential locations.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-14

8 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

This afternoon, we learned that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

The staff member who tested positive has not reported to work since March 31^st. They are currently self-isolating for the required period of time.

As advised by WDG Public Health, those who received support from this staff member are also required to self-isolate to limit any potential spread. We will continue to closely monitor for symptoms.

These are concerning and uncertain times. We look to local, provincial and federal organizations, as well as health officials for guidance on how to best prevent COVID-19.

One of our preventative measures, as guided by the Ministry of Health, is a pre-screening checklist that staff go through before every shift. Should a staff member fail this screening, they do not report for their shift.

We have also implemented increased health checks for the people we support. On top of monitoring for symptoms, we now take temperatures twice a day. We have also increased our disinfecting and hygiene protocols with all residential locations.

We will continue our work alongside the local health authority, and take every preventative measure available to us, to protect the health and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff.

We hope for a speedy recovery and good health for our staff member. Our Direct Support Professionals have been tremendous through these uncertain times, and we are grateful for all that they are doing.

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-08

7 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Throughout this pandemic, information has changed rapidly. Each day brings new reasons for concern, new preventative measures, and a need to be flexible to ensure our health and wellbeing. We have all been active participants in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for your resilience, patience and resolve in the face of the unknown.

Last week, we received from the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance: Group Homes and Co-Living Settings. Those guidelines are helping to bring clarity and new direction to how we ensure the health and safety of the people we support and our staff. For example, those guidelines gave us greater clarity on pre-screening for staff. So, we have enhanced our pre-shift Screening Checklist to include additional measures to assess the health and wellbeing of staff before coming on shift. More will come for staff, but we wanted you to know that we are consulting as many resources as we can, and will continue to adapt and be agile as new information becomes available.

We shared yesterday about an order enacted by the Government of Ontario. This order offers more decision making authority for service agencies like CLGW, and is available here for you to read.

Also available for you to read, is the communication sent to us in follow-up to the emergency order enacted by the Government of Ontario. It outlines that while the order gives service agencies more authority, we are all encouraged to continue to work collaboratively. Keeping lines of communication open, asking questions, and working together to ensure the people we support are our first priority is essential during these times.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Gratefully,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-07

6 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Last week, we were still awaiting results for a staff member being tested for COVID-19. We’re grateful to report that those tests have returned negative. At present, four staff and one person we support have been tested, with all results returning negative for COVID-19.

As of this morning, another person we support and a staff member have been advised by medical professionals to be tested for COVID-19. These new tests are not connected with each other, nor with any of those previously tested. We will inform once we receive results. Also, we will continue to directly inform those who may be impacted.

We also received some good news from the Government of Ontario.

Over the weekend, they announced a $40 million COVID-19 Residential Relief Fund. This fund allows organizations like ours to apply for funding to help offset costs related to additional staff and compensation (e.g. overtime), personal protective equipment, additional cleaning costs and more.

They also announced an Order affecting service agencies. This order offered the reasonable ability for organizations like CLGW to make important decisions without negatively affecting their Collective Bargaining Agreement with their union (should they have one). CLGW has a great working relationship with our union, CUPE. While many of these new privileges were already agreed upon with the union, we’re grateful that this Order offers more flexibility in these times of need.

At the heart of both announcements, is the assurance that the people we support will receive the support they need during this pandemic.

To ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support, we have suspended van and car rides. While there are exceptions (i.e. a necessary medical appointment), this preventative measure will help limit potential COVID-19 contact points.

You also may have seen our Re-connecting Families fundraiser.

As of this morning, we had raised $5,137 of our $12,147 goal, through our website and on Facebook. That’s a fantastic start! These funds will go directly to purchasing 35 tablets, to be distributed to our residential locations. We have also had a few generous folks offer gently used tablets and devices – thank you!

If you’d like to help us get to our goal, here’s what you can do:

Share the Re-connecting Families fundraiser on your social media:
1. Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CLGuelphWell/
2. Share the Pinned Post on your social media channels and with family and friends
  1. If you choose to share why this is important to the work you do, please do not include any confidential information about the people you support

Share via email, text, or in conversation with others:
1. Direct people you know who might want to help to https://clgw.ca/donate
  1. All details related to the Re-Connecting Families fundraiser are available there
2. If you have the means, please consider giving through one of the two donation channels

Thank you so much to all who have already supported. We have generously received donations from 29 different people – some of which are families and staff, and some from new friends to CLGW!

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Gratefully,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-06

3 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

As shared yesterday, our Re-connecting Families fundraiser is now online.

During any crisis, the most comforting moments are the ones spent with the people who matter most to us. But for the people we support, we have had to make the difficult decision to close our locations and buildings to families and friends. The safety, wellbeing and health of the people we support is paramount.

With tablets and video-enabled devices, we can help the people we support re-connect with their families and friends virtually.

Sharing this fundraiser with family and friends can make a world of difference. They may be able to help, or may also know someone who could help.

For those who use Facebook, the fundraiser is available here and can be easily shared: https://www.facebook.com/donate/520471555302822/?fundraiser_source=external_url

For those who do not use social media, the Re-connecting Families Fundraiser is available here: https://clgw.ca/donate/

Raising a little more than $12,000 will afford us the ability to distribute a tablet to each residence.

Together, we can do it.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Gratefully,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-03

2 April 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Last week, we informed you that a person we support was advised by health professionals to be tested for COVID-19. We also informed earlier this week that a third staff member was advised to be tested. Today, we’re grateful that we can share that both tests have come back negative.

We do have a fourth staff member being tested, and we will share news as we receive it. Our staff continue to screen before every shift, and follow preventative measures that are in place to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the people we support.

At present, there are no changes to suspended services and access. All CLGW locations remain closed to the public and day programs remain suspended.

Quite a few families have reached out, either directly to myself or to their Direct Support Professionals and supervisors. We appreciate your notes of thanks and creative ideas to help us stay connected during this time.

In the coming days, you will see a new CLGW fundraiser for the people we support. We will be reaching out to the community to help raise funds to purchase video-enabled tablets for each of our CLGW residences. We will also be seeking donations of refurbished and gently used devices and tablets that can be given directly to those that we support, who do not have a device, to stay in touch with their families and friends. Stay tuned, and if you have any connections who may be interested in supporting, please contact Annie Knight, Marketing and Development Lead, at annieknight@clgw.ca.

We have all been banding together during this time, to come up with ideas and activities to boost morale. For the people we support, it’s difficult right now to establish a routine or maintain some resemblance to normal. While we work on ways to stay engaged, connected, and bring little moments of happiness into our everyday, we continue to thank you for bringing forward ideas. Our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Karen Calzonetti, has been working with staff to keep these ideas flowing. If you have ideas, please connect with Karen at karencalzonetti@clgw.ca.

Earlier this week, members of the community donated a variety of handmade masks. Thank you for your tremendous generosity, and thinking of us during this time of need. As this pandemic continues, there will be a variety of resources we will use at a greater than normal rate. And it’s thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of our community that we will continue to have enough supply as the demand increases.

Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health continues to be your most up to date resource for COVID-19. As an organization, we follow the lead of local public health officials, as well as provincial and federal health bodies. Resources and up to date facts are available at: https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/your-health/covid-19-information-public

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-04-02

30 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

On Friday, we shared with you that a person we support, as well as two staff members, were being tested for COVID-19. At the time, we shared that one staff member had their test results come back as negative. We are grateful to be able to share today, that the second staff member’s results also came back as negative.

We are still awaiting results for the person we support, and continue to take any directives and preventative measures given by Wellington Dufferin Public Health.

Through the weekend, we learned of another staff member who will be tested for COVID-19.

As new cases and concerns arise, we will continue to notify any staff, people we support, and their families if they are a close contact. WDG Public Health will also notify anyone they deem an immediate risk, or who needs to self-monitor or self-isolate as a result possible exposure.

We will continue to keep you informed each week, if testing is occurring. It’s important that we continue to take preventative measures together.

We do want to thank you for all that you’re doing. We’ve received a lot of feedback from family, appreciating that we are communicating and sharing information as we learn it. Thank you for taking the time to share with us that we’re on the right track. While we know that sometimes these communications can be a bit overwhelming, it’s important that we are all on the same page, aware, and communicating together.

Over the weekend, the Government of Ontario suspended gatherings greater than five people. While this does not affect the work that we are doing, should that change, we will be sure to inform you.

Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health has the most up to date information, as well as helpful resources to point to through all of this. As an organization, we follow the lead of local public health officials, as well as provincial and federal health bodies. Resources and up to date facts are available at: https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/your-health/covid-19-information-public

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-30

27 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Last night, the City of Guelph declared a state of emergency. Earlier, the County of Wellington and its seven municipalities also declared a state of emergency. Right now, these declarations appear to have no impact on the support we are providing but we will keep you informed if that changes.

To read more about the County of Wellington’s declaration: https://www.wellington.ca/en/covid-19.aspx#

To read more about the City of Guelph’s declaration: https://guelph.ca/2020/03/mayor-guthrie-declares-state-of-emergency-for-guelph-in-response-to-covid-19/

Staff were tracking a newly developed cough by a person we support. They continued to monitor symptoms, and yesterday, escalated their concern with medical professionals. It was advised that the person be tested by Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health. We have done so, while also notifying all affected staff, people we support, and their families involved. The person supported is in self-isolation, as advised by WDG Public Health, and we are taking every preventative measure we can to ensure the health and wellbeing of all, while we wait for results.

One of our staff members notified us that they thought they may have come into contact with a potential COVID-19 case. They diligently began self-isolating after contact, and did not have any contact with people supported by CLGW, their families, or staff. This staff member has since been tested, and their results returned negative.

Another staff member has alerted us to their symptoms and concerns. They are also self-isolating, and have been tested.

These instances are not related. The staff members and the person supported have not had any contact with each other.

As we wait for results, we felt it necessary to inform you and your families. Even if the results come back negative, it’s necessary for all of us to be aware of how real this virus is, and how close it is to the people who matter most to us.

While we know this is difficult news to receive, we have been, and will continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

All of our staff have been, and will continue to take a daily self-assessment prior to coming to work. They have also been using this assessment with the people we support to help identify any possible changes in health.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been communicating with staff to self-monitor and self-isolate if they have any concerns. As an organization, we have taken additional steps to ensure that they are informed of updated legislation, as well as internal options, should they need to be off work.

We have also been working with local grocery retailers, to ensure that our CLGW residences have the ability to either pickup or have groceries delivered, to mitigate any unnecessary contact.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-27

25 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

This week has been a week of participation. Our leadership team has been, and will continue working alongside local, provincial and federal leaders, in an effort to prepare for what might come next. Whether that’s good news or difficult news, we wanted you to know that we are being planful and responsive to these uncertain times.

To make sure we are sharing the most up to date and relevant information for you, we are taking a short pause on our communications. As we noted earlier, if you feel you may have missed a communication from us, clgw.ca/covid19 has all up-to-date communications to people we support and their families.

At this time, day programs and public access to all CLGW locations remain suspended.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-25

24 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

We heard yesterday that the province of Ontario is going into lockdown, with all non-essential services being mandated to close as of 11:59pm tonight. Understandably, this may have raised questions for you if the service you and your family member are receiving will be affected.

With the release of the essential services list, residential, Supported Independent Living and Passport services are all included as essential services. Given that day services were already suspended, yesterday’s announcement will have no additional impact on services at this time.

The Ontario government also announced a $200 million in social services relief funding. While we wait for details on how this is going to be distributed, the media release is available here: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-protecting-the-most-vulnerable-during-covid-19-crisis.html

Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health confirmed over the weekend, the first regional case of COVID-19 in Wellington County. That case is recovering in hospital, in Mount Forest. This morning we learned of the first confirmed case in Guelph, at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. We understand that these cases being closer to home, you may be feeling anxious and concerned. CLGW will continue to take as many preventative measures as possible to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support and their families, our staff, and our community. We are also in consistent communication with Public Health, as well as community partners, so that plans and procedures are in place should someone we support become ill with COVID-19.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-24

23 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Our goal through this pandemic is to maintain good, useful, and timely communication.

In the days to come, there may not be much to update you on, as we wait for decisions and new developments that might impact the services we provide. As such, our communications may become a little less frequent, as we wait for information, and to ensure we are valuing your time and attention. If you’re concerned you may have missed a communication, clgw.ca/covid19 will have all of the latest communications for people we support and their families.

We continue to encourage families to build a routine with their respective CLGW residence. Whether it’s a call or facetiming with your family member or doing a general check-in with staff, staying connected is very important while practicing good physical distancing.

Our government officials have changed the conversation, so that we all can be clear on what’s needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Previously, social distancing was used to describe some of the measures we needed to take ensure our safety during these times. This past weekend that was changed to physical distancing. The emphasis is on maintaining physical distance, and protecting those who are most vulnerable in our communities, while continuing excellent hygiene practices.

Thank you for doing your part, and staying connected through these difficult times.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-23

20 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Right now, we are diligently working with staff to ensure that our self-assessment practices are up to date, and guided by the science provided by our provincial and federal health leaders. This self-assessment is a great tool for staff to check themselves prior to coming to work, as well as the people we support, to ensure that we are all doing our part to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has also taken a few steps, effective immediately, to limit in-person contact. The following measures are now in effect for those accessing Employment Support Services (ODSP):

People supported do not need to submit their income statements at this time (unless they submit electronically)
Special Diet Allowances, already in pay, will continue even if they are set to expire – people supported need not to worry about getting their signed forms in for now (unless they submit electronically)
MCCSS will not require forms and verification for Mandatory Special Necessities, as they will issue these benefits and obtain what is needed later on (unless they submit electronically)

We are continuing to monitor best practices and any additional measures needed during this time. Our management team are working with other community partners, both in Guelph and Wellington County, as well as across the province, to determine additional preventative measures in the event of more escalation. As new information becomes available, we will be sharing that with you.

For families who have not done so yet, we encourage you to be in contact with your respective CLGW residence. Setting up a routine of calls and/or facetiming, where technology permits, is a great way to be in touch, during this time of social distancing. Even if your call is with a DSP, it’s a small step to help keep us all connected.

Thank you again, for supporting us through this difficult time.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-20

19 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Thank you.

Thank you for your resilience. Thank you for your persistence. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Someone once said that the strength of your character comes from the moments when you face adversity.

We think that the strength of our community comes from the moments when we band together to combat any challenge we face.

With changes happening daily, moments of escalation, difficulty, and inherently hard times ahead, you have been diligent, understanding, helpful, thankful, and kind. You have taken in stride every preventative measure our organization has taken to ensure your and your family’s health and wellbeing during this time. You understand that with every preventative measure we have taken, it has been with consultation and not without understanding of the impact it would have on you.

We know that these are hard times, and you are standing with us, standing with your families, and banding together as a community to minimize the entry and transmission of COVID-19 to the people we support.

Thank you. While there will be more to come, for right now, thank you for all that you’re doing to support the health and wellbeing of the people we support, your families, our staff, and the community.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

With gratitude,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

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Download or review the official communication: covid-19-MEMO-2020-03-19

18 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

Thank you for your patience, diligence, and understanding during this time. We are in uncertain times, and our communities are taking needed precautionary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As an organization who works for and with people in everything we do, preventative measures are changing daily. Our first priority will continue to be the health and wellbeing of the people we support, their families, our staff, and our collective communities.

We will be taking the following preventative measures around social distancing, in addition to what has been announced in recent days, to help prevent possible entry or transmission of COVID-19:

All CLGW locations are closed to any visitors, including families, until further notice
If families choose to take their family member out of a CLGW residence, for any duration of time, they will be required to stay there until further notice
Guelph Administrative Building is closed to the public

We encourage families to be in contact with the residence, and where possible, we encourage families to begin a routine of calling and/or face-timing their family member, where technology permits.

Families who have expressed their interest in self-isolating their family member at home during this pandemic, are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. People we support who self-isolate at their family home will not lose their spot in our residential program. They will be asked to remain at home until further notice, and we will reassess this weekly.

The City of Guelph announced that they will be offering free bus fare until April 15^th, but with reduced service. We are in contact with Guelph Transit, and waiting on more information about reloading bus passes beyond April 15^th, as well as any considerations to those who have paid for their bus pass up until March 31^st. We will share details once they are available.

We received good news from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that residential service funding will be boosted during this time. With some of our other services being greatly reduced during this time, we will be redeploying these trained professionals to bolster residential services to ensure that all residential support needs are met. We have already redeployed all day program staff to support this transition. We will also be doing the best we can to limit staff to one support location.

For people accessing Supported Independent Living services, we will be making extended efforts to ensure our Grocery Assistance Program is available, stocked, and able to help combat food insecurity during this time.

These are difficult and stressful times. As we monitor provincial and federal escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our preventative measures come from consultation with community and provincial partners. While we understand this has significant impact on you and your family, we will continue to prioritize health, wellbeing and safety during this time.

Thank you for your continued support. We will reassess service impacts weekly.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

—

Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-18 [pdf]

Media release for Guelph Transit: https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/guelph-transit-to-be-free-until-april-15-but-reduced-service-2174293

17 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

We wanted to thank you for being diligent and taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this time. We know that these are hard times, and that many of the things that matter most to you will be effected. Our first priority will continue to be the health and wellbeing of the people we support, their families, our staff, and our collective communities.

Given provincial and federal measures have escalated again, we have to take additional precautions as well.

Adding on to yesterday’s measures, we will be doing the following to help prevent possible entry or transmission of COVID-19:

Campus Friends and Best Buddies are cancelled until further notice
Passport services will continue in a limited way, and will be assessed on a case by case basis
Supported Independent Living services will continue, primarily by telephone and online contact
EmployMEnt Options services will be assessed on a case by case basis, with guidance by the employer
All CLGW sites, including administrative buildings, group homes, and day sites are closed to the public
All volunteers and non-staff roles are suspended until further notice
Pre-authorized visitors, including immediate family, service providers and contractors, will be screened before entering any CLGW location
All group access to buildings will be cancelled until further notice (i.e. Special Olympics, sports groups, line dancing, etc.)
Anyone requiring a bus pass reload for April 1 must contact Administration by Thursday March 19, with their request

Some families have expressed their interest in bringing their family member home. Those family members will not lose their spot in our residential program. More details about self-isolating your family member at home, will be coming in the next few days.

As we have limited face-to-face meetings, whenever possible we will be communicating by phone or electronic means. This includes in-the-community support.

With yesterday’s announcement regarding the closure of day programs, we are re-deploying trained staff to residential programs. This will ensure that the people we support are receiving the support they need, while having the flexibility and capacity for staff to feel confident should they need to self-isolate.

Right now, our staff are in constant contact with managers and supervisors about self-monitoring. We’re employing every means available to us to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people we support, our staff, as well as friends and families and our community.

At this time, we will reassess all changes to service on a weekly basis.

Thank you for your continued support through this time. We are able to provide the services we do because of your diligence, and support with ensuring the health and wellbeing of everyone involved.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

—

Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-17 [pdf]

Helpful Public Health Documents [pdf]

COVID-19 Plain Language by and for People with Disabilities [pdf]

16 March 2020

Dear people we support and families,

In the past few days, we have seen a variety of developments related to COVID-19.

As an organization who works with people in everything we do, we will continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff, and the families, friends and community members involved in the services we provide.

As a response to the escalating need for more precautions, we will be doing the following to stop possible entry or transmission of COVID-19:

Closing all CLGW Day Programs across Guelph and Wellington County until further notice
Postponing all mass gatherings and events, including the 40^th Annual Spring Fashion Gala
We will continue to follow our Communicable/Infection Disease procedure

If you or your family member are currently attending a CLGW Day Program, you will not lose your spot as a result of this closure.

Some families have also expressed their interest in bringing their family member home. Those family members will also not lose their spot in our residential program.

If you presently have a ticket for the Fashion Gala, we will not be processing refunds just yet. We are working with all organizers involved to determine a future date.

Information is changing rapidly, and we will continue to reassess weekly.

We want to thank you for your continued support through this time. We are able to provide the services we do because of your support.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: https://clgw.ca/covid19

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

—

Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-16 [pdf]

March 13, 2020

Dear families and friends,

We recognize that COVID-19 is creating a sense of uneasiness amongst our communities. In the past few days, many nationally and internationally serving organizations have taken precautionary steps to limit the spread of any communicable infections. This has included cancelling large gatherings and travel to more-infected countries.

As an organization who works with people in everything we do, we believe it is our role and responsibility to prioritize the wellbeing of the people we support, our staff, and the families, friends, and community members involved in the services we provide.

Through that lens, we will be making decisions about additional steps we may need to take as an organization, guided by our mission and latest science-based information.

Right now, Community Living Guelph Wellington has a thorough Communicable/Infection Disease procedure that is followed by all of our staff. It requires our organization to be in consistent contact with Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health, monitoring risk while also informing of any confirmed cases of a communicable disease.

We also routinely check-in with staff around hand hygiene, and taking precaution when coming into contact with droplet transmission – including wearing Personal Protective Equipment as necessary.

Should the reported risk of infection become greater, with guidance from Public Health, we will be taking additional steps to protect the welfare of our community. This may include increased social distancing, cancelling of events, self-quarantine for staff who have been travelling, limiting points of contact between different locations within our organization and more.

As a friend of Community Living Guelph Wellington, we wanted to thank you for supporting us through this time. We are able to provide the services we do because of your support.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and you can read the latest at: https://clgw.ca/covid19

Regards,

Laura Hanley and Gerry Walsh
Executive Director and Board President

—

Download or review the official communication: covid-19-comm-2020-03-13 [pdf]

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COVID-19 and Community Living Guelph Wellington

What we are doing to manage the situation

How you can also help!

Day Services

EmployMEnt Options

Passport

Day Services

Passport in CLGW residences

EmployMEnt Options

Important tips for Rapid Antigen Tests

Storing

Timing

Doing the test

Day Services

Residential Supports

Short Stays and Overnight visits over the Holidays

Returning to CLGW from a Short Stay or Overnight visits

Masking during Short Stay or Overnight visits

Visitors to our residences during the holidays

Visits

Visits to the residence

Essential visitors

Non-essential Visitors

Short Stay (same day) Absences

Overnight Absences

Recreational Activities

Day Supports

Permit with restrictions: Outdoor spaces begin reopening, limited indoor settings with restrictions

Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits

Close contact, gatherings and events

In Red – control:

Organized public events, social gatherings, and religious services, rites and ceremonies:

Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits

Information and Direction given to Direct Support Professionals for People Supported Who Want the COVID-19 Vaccine

Helpful Resources

Holiday Short Stay and Essential Overnight Visits

Essential visitors are permitted

Non-essential visits are permitted, with limitations:

Day programs/supports are permitted, but limited to a max group size (including staff) of 5 people

Recreational activities outside of the residence are suspended (activities like going to a restaurant or for coffee, going bowling or to a movie theatre, going to the bank or getting a haircut)

Health and well-being activities outside of residence are permitted (activities like a medical appointment, school, work, volunteering or visiting family at their family home)

Essential overnight absences are permitted

So what’s a Short-Stay Absence?

Essential Overnight Absences and Enhanced Precautions

One Employer Mandate

One-Residence Mandate

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