Newsletter: Friday, May 8th
newsletter update
At the moment, information is coming in quickly and change is happening often. We want to be sure to keep you updated. For the time being, Community Pathways will be issuing short electronic newsletters on Fridays rather than sending out our monthly newsletters. Stay subscribed for ongoing COVID-19 information, resources, CPI updates, uplifting news, and activities to do at home!
If you know someone who would be interested in this information but is not currently subscribed, you can share our website link with them. There is a newsletter subscription form at the bottom of the page.
A Reminder About Face Covering Guidelines
The public health experts at Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continue to recommend that we wear a face covering whenever we enter a community setting. This doesn’t mean you need to wear a mask every time you go outside. It means that if you go to a crowded area, such as the grocery store, or if you interact at length with someone outside your household at a 6-foot distance, it is important to wear a face covering. It can be confusing to know when to wear one! See the image below with some examples to help.
Information from Vermont Dept. of Health website
If you feel more comfortable wearing one every time you’re outside, that’s okay, too. Just make sure to wear it correctly and wash it after every use. Re-read our updated post on how and why we wear face coverings for more detailed information.
It’s also a good idea to bring your face covering with you on long walks just in case there are unexpected crowds or interactions with people outside your household.
Source: Clay County Public Health
A face covering blocks droplets that escape our mouths when we talk, sneeze, or cough, and lowers chance of direct virus transmission from person to person. Wearing a face covering is also a visual reminder that we need to be careful with each other and stay physically distant.
Check out Dhvani’s campaign “A Mask for Every American” in which you can request a free face mask online. It is easy to do: you only need to provide your name, email address and mailing address! Please note, the company is only providing one mask per request.
Life right now looks very different for most of us…
even for your PA!
At work PA’s are doing their best to connect with you in different ways. They are using online video calling applications like FaceTime and Zoom to stay in touch with you. PA’s are ensuring you have backup plans to address your needs in case you or your provider get sick. They are busy keeping up with the changes happening at your provider agencies and other important services. PA’s are tracking the best resources for food access and other necessities during this time. Things are constantly changing and your PA’s are on top of it!
At home your PA is coping with changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, too. They miss their customers, coworkers, families, and friends. They miss their normal daily routines. Just like you, they wear face coverings, grocery shop for necessities, and wave to their neighbors from afar. They connect with loved ones by chatting on video and phone calls. They keep themselves busy at home and try to stay positive!
We thought it would be nice to share with you a little about how your PA doing during this unusual time.
PA Spotlight of the week
Many of the PA’s have animals at home to keep them company.
Christine, a Personal Agent at Community Pathways, lives on a farm and gets some help at work from her baby goats featured below: Pandemonium (Pandi), Oberon (Obie), and Jax.
Christine gets extra time with the baby goats now that she works from home, which she is happy about. A highlight of her week was FaceTiming one of her customers so she could show them her animals!
She misses seeing her customers in person and getting variety in her day.
Although video calls are a good way to stay in touch, we miss connecting with you in person!
What have you been up to at home?
Do you have a new hobby?
Do you have a roommate or a pet that brightens your day?
Do you have any stories or photos you want to share with us?
Have you had an especially good day or bad day you want to tell us about?
Send your stories or photos in to pcantlon@communitypath.org.
We want to hear from you!
*We will not share your stories or pictures publicly (unless you want us to!).
resources
Share your opinion! If you are a resident of Clackamas County, the Emergency Operations Center wants to hear your opinion on reopening the county so they are aware of “what to take in to consideration when it comes to the needs of residents of all backgrounds.”
Take the short survey here.
Oregon Department of Education is currently accepting applications to provide free or reduced-price school meals for families who have recently experienced significant income loss. Apply online or contact your local school.
Salvation Army has started a drive-thru food box pickup in Portland, Happy Valley and Gresham. Find out more details here.
Upcoming Events online
Provider Time Capture: Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) are having webinars to gather feedback from customers and providers about the impact of PSW Electronic Visit Verification System (EVV).
Sessions begin on May 26, 27 and 28. Click here for more details.
The Arc Virtual Hang: Music, Movement and Mindfulness
Hang out online with different activities to relax, move and have fun!
May 8, 15, and 22 at 1:00 PM
Zoom Meeting ID: 928 127 593
