ACDS COVID-19 Updates
ACDS will be sending frequent updates with any new information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. These updates are issued by Andrea Hesse, CEO. Click the links below to view each of the updates.
May 28
- May 25 Public Health Order: Amends the April 10 public health order; orientation webinar
- Reopening Community Access Programs: ACDS tool to assist with reopening
- PPE Access: Disability service providers continue to have access to free PPE
- CCS Weekly Q/A: Not issued this week as no questions received; continue to send us your questions
- New Resources: AHS Rehabilitation Advice Line; return to work employer toolkit
May 21
- Reopening Community Access Programs: a new ACDS tool to assist with reopening
- Weekly CSS Q&A: a new Q&A document was released today
May 14
- May 13 SPPC Meeting Update: addressing invoicing process issues
- Day Programs/Community Access: ACDS is creating a guide for service providers
- Data Collection and Funding for Wage Top-Ups: responding to requests
- CSS Weekly Q&A: released today
- Minister Sawhney’s Letter to Members of the Disability Community
- ACDS 2019 Workforce Survey: recently released report and one-pager
- Resources for Individuals, Businesses, and Not-For-Profits During the COVID-19 Crisis: a follow-up document
May 6
- CSS' weekly Q & A on COVID-19: new Q & A sheet released today
- Call for photos depicting service provision in COVID-19: let’s showcase the innovative and creative ways our sector has adapted
May 4
- Call for photos depicting service provision during COVID-19: we want to showcase the innovate and creative ways our sector has adapted
- CSS information about interim PDD and FSCD policy changes
- Alberta Health Q & A on visitation guidelines
- COVID-19 non-profit/voluntary sector support fact sheet
April 30
- New Public Health Orders: updated operational and outbreak guidelines, and new visitation guidelines for licensed supportive living and long-term care.
- April 29 SPPC meeting update: addressing the well-being and mental health of individuals
April 28
- ACDS' advocacy on funding and invoicing: CSS has announced a new process for service providers
- CSS' weekly Q/A on COVID-19: new Q/A sheet released today
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy launched: service providers with reduced revenues may benefit
April 23
- Our commitment to you: ACDS remains focused and resilient for our membership
- Outstanding issues, and commitments from CSS: redoubling our advocacy efforts
- Addressing workforce challenges and COVID-related funding needs
- Clarity on the April 10 Public Health Order: new flowchart created by ACDS
April 13
- April 10 Public Health Order: restricting staff movement; other significant updated operational standards impacting continuing care facilities
- Non-licensed facilities: encouraged to apply the same operational standards as licensed facilities
- PPE advocacy: we are working very hard on this urgent issue
- Wider testing announced: any Albertan with COVID-19 symptoms can now be tested
- Additional resources: PPE-use recommendations from AHS, link to all COVID-19 orders and legislation
- New email address, COVID19@acds.ca: continue to report challenges related to new health measures so that we can advocate for you
April 8
- New Public Health Order: No visitors to continuing care facilities
- Unlicensed homes: encouraged by CSS to apply the same standards as licensed homes
- SPPC Update: Addressed current challenges, and the need for post-pandemic planning and response
- Essential Workers: Documentation
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: more flexible
- COVID19@acds.ca: New email address for questions, issues, concerns around COVID-19
April 6
- CSS/Service Provider Regional Meetings: will occur every two weeks
- Town Hall with GoA and Chief Medical Officer of Health: toll-free COVID-19 Coordinated Response Line, important follow-up and clarity from John Stinson, ADM
- April 2 Public Health Order: notification of COVID-19 cases, staff working in multiple facilities
- Video Message from Andrea Hesse: what we are hearing and advocating for, and some suggestions for continued service delivery
April 3
- New Public Health Order for continuing care facilities: notification of COVID-19 cases, staff working in multiple facilities
April 2
- Child care centres available to essential workers, including disability services staff
- CSS has committed to ongoing videoconferences with service providers
- April 1 Service Provider Partnership Committee meeting: addressing systemic issues, PPE
- New AHS resource for congregated living
- ABNN flash survey: understanding the impact of COVID-19 and what the nonprofit sector needs
- New COVID-19 ACDS email contact: COVID19@acds.ca
March 26
- Schedule of upcoming virtual meetings between CSS and regional stakeholders
- New Public Health Order issued March 25: Guidelines on use of PPE. New requirements around common spaces and programming, and more
- ACDS, ALIGN and ECVO initiative: navigating the web of benefits and resources available to you
March 25
- ACDS’ key priorities are to successfully advocate for the CDS sector, and build sector capacity
- ACDS is committed to supporting the sector through this critical time
- Important outcomes of today’s SPPC meeting: CSS’ commitment to regular virtual meetings, and other commitments
- Confirmed group home cases and visitation guidelines
March 24
- Letter from CSS regarding the new Public Health Order for continuing care facilities
- Record of Decision from the Chief Medical Officer of Health
March 23
- New Public Health Order for continuing care facilities
- Report your ongoing challenges
March 20
- CET Accreditation Survey Update
- Message from Ministry of CSS
March 18
- ACDS’ COVID-19 related advocacy efforts: update on outcomes following today’s meeting with the Service Provider Partnership Committee
- Responding to staffing shortages: connecting and collaborating
- Federal emergency response package: financial relief for individuals and businesses
March 17
- ACDS advocacy efforts
- Operational status as of March 17, 2020
- ACDS annual conference new dates - September 22-23, 2020
- Innovation award update
March 13
- Message from Andrea Hesse, CEO
- Operational status as of March 13, 2020
- ACDS 2020 Annual conference postponed
- Pandemic Planning