OPWDD has been approaching COVID-19 on multiple fronts including emergency preparedness and response, health and safety, policy development, training, field work and funding. The agency’s Emergency Operations Center has personnel from across the state with expertise in crisis response, public health, data management, IT, and logistics working to maintain the continued delivery of OPWDD services while protecting the safety and security of the people we support. In the interest of containing the spread of COVID-19, OPWDD has provided our staff and providers with numerous sets of guidance related to visitation and site visits, the delivery of telehealth and other essential services, and infection control. With the reopening of day programs, OPWDD is requiring all day service provider agencies as well as our state-operated day service programs to post safety plans for each location so families, caregivers and Care Managers can make decisions about each individual’s participation in day programs.  For more information on what you can do to help stop the spread, visit our COVID-19 in Plain Language page. OPWDD has also arranged for retainer day payments to providers and continues to work with provider partners on other options to support their work during this public health emergency.