Hello all!!! This is our blog page on our shiny new website but if you haven’t heard yet…we have an Instagram Page!!!! Our official page is OpportunityWorks, and you’ll see this as the first post:
If you like using that social media platform, please give us a follow and SHARE to your Instagram story! Feel free to tag us too! @opportunityworks
We are so excited to continue to share stories from the OW community.
To: Opportunity Works Community
Date: June 25th 2020
From: Jane Harris-Fale, Executive Director
Urgent: From the Arc of Massachusetts: The campaign #DontCutUsOut is to ensure that needed funding for our safety net continues.
Individuals served by Opportunity Works with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other intellectual and developmental disabilities funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will lose services if funding and policies don’t meet the requirements of the re-opening period and thereafter.
It is close to the end of June and we have no idea of the additional funding available for day and employment programs across the state. Opportunity Works can ONLY be paid by the Commonwealth for services they deliver each day. However, re-opening after this COVID-19 pandemic requires partial attendance, more space between people, smaller groups in vehicles and buildings, significant cleaning supplies, etc. And partial attendance means partial funding.
None of these costs have been allocated. Some agencies have begun laying off staff to afford the new costs. Without new funds, either people could lose services (including delays for those Turning 22) or services will be significantly reduced.
More importantly, some agencies or day programs will close as a result.
The network of services will not recover if decisions for additional funds and flexible policies are delayed. Please respond to #DontCutUsOut and send an email to the Governor with copies to Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka.
Please use this link to the Arc of Massachusetts https://thearcofmass.org/post/dontcutusout-act-now-to-ensure-funding-for-services-for-adults-with-i-dd-during-re-opening as soon as possible to fill out a template to contact Governor Baker, Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Spilka regarding the urgent need for funding.
Thank You
Opportunity Works, Inc. will remain CLOSED until further notice as we are awaiting approval from State Government. We continue to work in conjunction with the State on all reopening protocols.
On Monday 5/18, Governor Baker announced his 4 Phase Plan in which our industry/day services would fall in the later part of Phase 2, again pending the guidance and approval from DDS.
Although this creates additional uncertainty we are adhering to all prescribed protocols set forth by the Governor. The health and safety of our individuals and staff remain our number one priority and remind you to continue social distancing practices and protocols in order to maintain optimum health and wellness.
Sincerely,
Jane Harris-Fale
Executive Director
Opportunity Works, Inc.
5/13/20
Good afternoon,
We hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. We wanted to let everyone know that we anticipate being closed through the end of May. We are awaiting guidance from the Governor’s task force regarding reopening plans.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. STAY SAFE!
Thank you,
Jane Harris-Fale
Executive Director
UPDATE: 4/29/20
Good afternoon,
We hope everyone is staying safe and doing well during these challenging times. We wanted to reach out to let everyone know that we are closed through Monday May 18th and we will provide further updates as the State/Governor communicates the status of the Stay at Home order.
Thank you and stay safe!
UPDATE: 4/3/20
In accordance with local and state health official’s recommendations, Opportunity Works, Inc. anticipates we will be closed through the month of April.
If we receive guidance from local, state and federal officials we will pass that along.
Please continue vigilant social distancing practices to minimize risk of exposure.
4/1/20- A Video Message from our Executive Director
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 3/25/20
As we continue to minimize the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
please note that Opportunity Works, Inc. will remain closed next week:
March 30th – April 3rd
We will continue to update as this is a fluid situation and requires the utmost vigilance. Please continue to practice social distancing practices to minimize risk of exposure.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 3/17/20
As we continue to minimize the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
please note that Opportunity Works, Inc. will remain closed next week:
March 23rd – March 27th
We will continue to update as this is a fluid situation and requires the utmost vigilance. Please continue social distancing practices to minimize risk of exposure.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 3/16/20
Based on the most recent guidance Opportunity Works, Inc. will be closed through Friday 3/20.
Please check back for updates as we will post by the end of the day on Friday, details on the week of 3/23/20.
Update on 3/15/20: Opportunity Works, in Newburyport and Haverhill,
is closed on Monday, March 16th 2020