COVID-19…keeping your health in mind
Revised: March 27, 2020 - 4:00 PM
As always, The Guidance Center of Westchester takes the health and safety of our program participants, staff, and extended families very seriously. We are addressing coronavirus (COVID-19) on a physical front (cleaning, sanitizing, and practicing measures to limit exposure) as well as on the social-emotional front (helping people deal with increased anxiety and fears). Here are a few points we’d like to share:
•At all of our sites, TGCW will continue to be vigilant and is taking extra measures to clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces by following the guidelines issued by New York State and Westchester County Department of Health.
•Our Creative Learning Center is open to provide quality child care to those who need it. Please call 914-613-0700 x7303. See more information here.
•Telehealth services are available. Intake for mental health and substance use/addiction call 914-613-0700 x7140. Learn about tele-therapy services here. If you are an existing program participant, please discuss options with your clinician, counselor, or therapist. We are able to accept anyone, regardless of ability to pay or insurance.
•For limited on-site services please call ahead. We are not able to accept walk-ins at this time.
•Staff and program participants will regularly be asked a series of questions as recommended by the New York State Department of Health to identify when someone has potentially been exposed to coronavirus and to help people identify symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath).
•Staff and program participants will take precautionary measures to help limit exposure. These include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow (not hand), and frequently and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water.
•TGCW will report any relevant findings to the NYS DOH.
•Our New Rochelle Clinic, Creative Learning Center, and METRO are OUTSIDE the New Rochelle containment zone. For information on what the containment zone means, please follow this link.
•Stay informed but limit the amount of time you spend reading or watching information on the coronavirus. Just because media coverage is 24/7 doesn’t mean you need to watch it 24/7.
•You may want to limit your time on social media. Don’t believe every meme you read. Be cautious about posts that come from “an unidentified physician” or “my neighbor’s cousin’s husband’s mother” (or another unidentifiable person).
•The Westchester County Department of Health is a good source of information which explains symptoms and preventative measures, as is the New York State Department of Health.
•The Westchester Putnam United Way is keeping a list of closures.
•The Child Mind Institute has a piece about talking with children about the coronavirus.
•A member of our Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) put together this list of community resources including food distribution sites.
•Our vocational services staff wants us to share information about unemployment benefits. Due to high volume, please remain patient as the site is experiencing delays. https://www.labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm
•Our Chief Executive Officer Amy Gelles was quoted in a Washington Post article about opioid recovery during COVID-19.
•Benefits.gov has a comprehensive list of help and resources available, including information on healthcare, unemployment, and temporary assistance.
Together, we thrive. And together, we will get through this.