Important Message About COVID-19 From The Edinburg Center
The leadership team at The Edinburg Center is working around-the-clock to make sure that the people we serve and their families, our valuable employees, and the community are provided with every possible safeguard against the spread of COVID-19 (aka Coronovirus). We are operating in keeping with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services as well as our local Boards of Health.
Patti Maguire, President & CEO of the Edinburg Center, has activated a COVID-19 Response Team, directed by Miriam Goodman, MD, the Center’s Medical Director, and includes senior leadership and staff from across the organization.
The Edinburg Center operates “essential services.” We are open and providing care for the people we serve 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have changed how we deliver our services to better protect the people we serve, our employees, and our communities.
Day Programs: Our two day programs – Opportunities and Potter Place, have closed their onsite services to prevent virus spread between participants. Instead, we are providing services through a combination of in-person community outreach, group video modules, and frequent phone contact. Our services are designed to check on each program participant with the goals of reducing the impact of isolation, delivering important program services and ensuring that participants have the support necessary to remain safe during this virus outbreak.
Community Outreach Programs: PACT, ACCS, Individual Supports, BH CP, Children’s Mental Health, FLEX, CIES and Behavioral Services, are open and providing services every day. We are following a decision protocol for when a visit with a person we serve should be done in person, or held remotely by phone call or video conference. The intent is to protect the vulnerable people we serve and follow the social distancing mandates that are so critical in containing the spread of the virus, while also providing much needed care for people.
Outpatient Clinic: Our outpatient clinicians and psychiatrist continue to work with the people they serve. Therapy and psychiatric sessions are arranged based on the needs and preferences of each person. Some appointments are occurring in person, using careful social distancing, and others are taking place remotely using telehealth. Every patient who sees our psychiatrist continues to be supported with medication management services as needed.
Residential Programs: These programs where those we serve live and receive services are open and we are providing care around the clock. While these programs are open, we have taken many important precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our homes. Specifically:
- People served are no longer attending community-based day programs. Residential staff have come up with creative ways of helping everyone enjoy their days at home.
- We have implemented all the CDC guidance on hand hygiene, disinfecting surfaces, social distancing, daily monitoring for fever and other symptoms, and wearing cloth face coverings.
- We are carefully monitoring all visitors to the program, encouraging visits to occur outside using masks and social distancing.
- We have a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use should a person living in the home become ill. Our programs will make all necessary notifications including the local Board of Health for direction and support in the case that someone we serve tests positive for COVID-19.
During these difficult times, The Edinburg Center continues to look for compassionate and capable individuals to join our team. For more information about working at the Edinburg Center please click here.
If you would like to make a donation to The Edinburg Center, to support our work and mission during this critical time in our history, please click here.
To learn more about the Commonwealth’s response to COVID-19, please click here.