UPDATE TO NYSED RE-OPENING PLAN
HeartShare Human Services of New York has just been notified that a staff in one of our classrooms at our preschool located at 1825 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11214 tested positive for COVID-19. The classroom, number 11, will be closed and revert to remote learning for 10 days as per NYCDOH. The students will return to our in-person hybrid model on Tuesday June 15, 2021. Based on this information, and in compliance with our NYSED reopening plan to put safety first, HeartShare will be closing in-person instruction for class 11 effective June 8 2021 and will revert to remote instruction. The rest of the school will continue with the hybrid in-person model. The classroom, number 11, will be remote and will resume in-person/hybrid instruction on Tuesday June 15, 2021.
During remote learning, teachers and therapists will provide live instruction via Microsoft TEAMS. The live instructional session will be recorded and project-based activities that are related to daily instruction will be posted on the Microsoft TEAMS platform. All teachers, counselors and therapists will be available to meet with students via Microsoft TEAMS during these two days of remote instruction. Due to the positive confirmed COVID case and the possible exposure, the students will participate in daily, live remote learning provided by the teachers and assistants. All models of instruction will be provided remotely including classroom and tele-therapy instruction via Microsoft TEAMS.
In order to ensure equity among all students, all students will receive equal access and opportunity to teaching and learning that is completely aligned with NYS Department of Education. TEAMS is HeartShare’s remote learning platform used to communicate live instructional sessions, post lesson plans, provide tele-therapy, hold staff and family meetings and give feedback on students’ work. While keeping equity at the heart of learning, HeartShare will continue to provide the maximum level of education, whether it is in-person or remote, to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to education.
As we move forward we will continue to keep the health and safety of our students, their families and our staff as our highest priority. We will go back to our hybrid model of in-person and remote for this class on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
UPDATE TO NYSED RE-OPENING PLAN
HeartShare Human Services of New York has just been notified that a student in one of our classrooms at our preschool located at 115-15 101st Avenue, Richmond Hill, New York, NY, 11419, has been exposed to the COVID-19. The classroom, number 25 will be closed and revert to remote learning for 14 days. The students will return to our in-person hybrid model on Friday May 14, 2021. Based on this information, and in compliance with our NYSED reopening plan to put safety first, HeartShare will be closing in-person instruction for classroom 25 only, effective April 29, 2021, and will revert to remote instruction. The rest of the school will continue with the hybrid in-person model.
During remote learning, teachers and therapists will provide live instruction via Microsoft TEAMS. The live instructional session will be recorded and project-based activities that are related to daily instruction will be posted on the Microsoft TEAMS platform. All teachers, counselors and therapists will be available to meet with students via Microsoft TEAMS during these two days of remote instruction. Due to the positive confirmed COVID-19 case and the possible exposure, the students will participate in daily, live remote learning provided by the teachers and assistants. All models of instruction will be provided remotely including classroom and tele-therapy instruction via Microsoft TEAMS.
In order to ensure equity among all students, all students will receive equal access and opportunity to teaching and learning that is completely aligned with NYS Department of Education. TEAMS is HeartShare’s remote learning platform used to communicate live instructional sessions, post lesson plans, provide tele-therapy, hold staff and family meetings and give feedback on students’ work. While keeping equity at the heart of learning, HeartShare will continue to provide the maximum level of education, whether it is in-person or remote, to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to education.
As we move forward we will continue to keep the health and safety of our students, their families and our staff as our highest priority. We will go back to our hybrid model of in-person and remote for this class on Friday May 14, 2021.
UPDATE TO NYSED RE-OPENING PLAN
HeartShare Human Services of New York has just been notified that a student in one of our classrooms at our preschool located at 1825 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11214, has tested positive for COVID-19. The classroom, number 24, will be closed and revert to remote learning for 14 days. The students will return to our in-person hybrid model on Monday May 3, 2021. One of the students in class 24 has a sibling who attends our school in classroom 9, therefore we must also close classroom 9 to remote learning immediately and will return to hybrid in person on Monday May 3, 2021. Based on this information, and in compliance with our NYSED reopening plan to put safety first, HeartShare will be closing in-person instruction effective April 17, 2021, and will revert to remote instruction. The rest of the school will continue with the hybrid in-person model. The two HeartShare classrooms will be remote and will resume in-person/hybrid instruction on Monday, May 3, 2021.
During remote learning, teachers and therapists will provide live instruction via Microsoft TEAMS. The live instructional session will be recorded and project-based activities that are related to daily instruction will be posted on the Microsoft TEAMS platform. All teachers, counselors and therapists will be available to meet with students via Microsoft TEAMS during these two days of remote instruction. Due to the positive confirmed COVID case and the possible exposure, the students will participate in daily, live remote learning provided by the teachers and assistants. All models of instruction will be provided remotely including classroom and tele-therapy instruction via Microsoft TEAMS.
In order to ensure equity among all students, all students will receive equal access and opportunity to teaching and learning that is completely aligned with NYS Department of Education. TEAMS is HeartShare’s remote learning platform used to communicate live instructional sessions, post lesson plans, provide tele-therapy, hold staff and family meetings and give feedback on students’ work. While keeping equity at the heart of learning, HeartShare will continue to provide the maximum level of education, whether it is in-person or remote, to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to education.
As we move forward we will continue to keep the health and safety of our students, their families and our staff as our highest priority. We will go back to our hybrid model of in-person and remote for these two classes on Monday May 3, 2021.
URGENT UPDATE
Please be advised that the NYCDOH has informed us that we had to close a classroom for 14 days at our Taranto site located at 1825 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11214. The class closure is due to a student in the classroom testing positive for Covid-19. The classroom is to remain on remote learning through April 5, 2021.
The One classroom (Classroom 9, a 12:1+2 ratio) will remain on remote learning through March 26, 2021 and will reopen for in person instruction on Monday April 5, 2021. The classroom has been fully disinfected and all students and staff will be able to resume in person on Monday April 5, 2021. The rest of the school will remain open to our hybrid model.
The children will receive their remote lessons via our Microsoft TEAMS platform. They will receive all education and therapy sessions.
In these times we wish to preserve and protect all students and staff. Stay Safe everyone.
Carol Verdi
Executive Vice President
HeartShare Human Services of New York
URGENT UPDATE
Please be advised that the NYCDOH has informed us that we had to close a classroom for 14 days at our Russo site located at 82-12 151st Avenue, Howard Beach, New York, 11414. The class closure is due to a student in the classroom testing positive for Covid-19. The classroom was to remain on remote learning through March 23, 2021.
On Wednesday March 10, 2021, a staff member at the Russo site in a separate classroom tested positive for Covid-19. According to our reopening plan, if at least two cases linked together in school, different classrooms, the school building will close and transition to remote. As of Thursday, March 11, the entire Russo School is now on remote learning and will reopen for in person instruction on March 24, 2021. The school has been fully disinfected and all students and staff will be able to resume in person on March 25, 2021.
In these times we wish to preserve and protect all students and staff. Stay safe, everyone.
Carol Verdi
Executive Vice President
HeartShare Human Services of New York
UPDATE TO NYSED RE-OPENING PLAN
HeartShare Education Center just been notified that a second student has tested positive for the Covid-19. As per our NYSED Reopening Plan, if two or more unrelated cases are identified, school will revert to remote learning for 14 days. This is for staff, students and related service providers. The classroom will revert to remote learning beginning Wednesday March 3, 2021. We will resume in-person class on Wednesday March 17. This affects the entire school building. The school will be closing in-person instruction Wednesday March 3, 2021, and we will reopen to in-person instruction on Wednesday March 17, 2021. The classroom and therapy will be teaching remotely during this time.
During remote learning, teachers and therapists will provide “live” instruction via Microsoft TEAMS. The live instructional session will be recorded and offer daily instruction. The teacher, teacher assistants, counselors and therapists will be available to meet with students via Microsoft TEAMS during these days of remote instruction.
In order to ensure equity among all students, all students will receive equal access and opportunity to teaching and learning that is completely aligned with NYS Department of Education. TEAMS is HeartShare’s remote learning platform used to communicate live instructional sessions, post lesson plans, provide tele-therapy, hold staff and family meetings and give feedback on students’ work. While keeping equity at the heart of learning, HeartShare will continue to provide the maximum level of education, whether it is in-person or remote, to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to education.
Our main goal is to keep everyone healthy. We will electrostatically clean all classrooms, therapy areas and common spaces. We hope every remains safe during this time and look forward to seeing everyone back on March 17.
Carol Verdi
Executive Director
HeartShare Education Center
URGENT UPDATE
Please be advised that the NYCDOH has informed us that we must close a classroom for 10 days at our Russo site located at 82-12 151st Avenue, Howard Beach, New York, 11414. The class closure is due to a staff member in the classroom testing positive for COVID-19. The classroom will remain on remote learning through March 5, 2021, and will reopen for in-person instruction on Monday, March 8, 2021. The classroom has been fully disinfected and all students and staff will be able to resume in person on Monday, March 8, 2021. The rest of the school will remain open to our Hybrid model.
In these times we wish to preserve and protect all students and staff. Stay Safe everyone.
Carol Verdi
Executive Vice President
HeartShare Human Services of New York
UPDATE TO NYSED RE-OPENING PLAN
HeartShare Human Services of New York
HeartShare Human Services of New York is in the position of having to revert to remote learning due to multiple exposure to COVID-19, diagnoses of COVID-19 or mandatory DOH quarantine of staff due to COVID-19. Additionally, we have had students and their families who have tested positive to COVID-19 requiring additional staff quarantining. At this point it is impossible to meet the health and safety mandates of our reopening plan. We have decided in the interest and safety of our students and staff to close our classrooms to in-person instruction until February 22, 2021. The positivity rate for our preschool program in Richmond Hill is at 19%. It has been impossible to maintain staffing ratios. Prior to that date, we will re-assess to ensure that we have enough staff who are able to attend work. This is for staff, students and related service providers. The schools will revert to remote learning beginning Wednesday January 13. We will re-assess and plan to return to in person class on Tuesday February 22, right after the Martin Luther King holiday. This affects all four early childhood centers in Queens and Brooklyn. The classrooms will be teaching remotely and the related service providers will be conducting tele-therapy during this time.
During remote learning, teachers and therapists will provide ‘live” instruction via Microsoft TEAMS. The live instructional sessions will be recorded and offer daily classroom instruction. The teacher, teacher assistants, counselors and therapists will be available to meet with students via Microsoft TEAMS during these days of remote instruction.
In order to ensure equity among all students, all students will receive equal access and opportunity to teaching and learning that is completely aligned with NYS Department of Education. TEAMS is HeartShare’s remote learning platform used to communicate live instructional sessions, post lesson plans, provide tele-therapy, hold staff and family meetings and give feedback on students’ work. While keeping equity at the heart of learning, HeartShare will continue to provide the maximum level of education, whether it is in-person or remote, to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to education.
We hope that this decision will keep everyone safe until we are able to resume our preferred in-person/hybrid learning model. We believe our students learn best when they are in school, and we will make every effort to have them back by February 22.
UPDATE TO NYSED RE-OPENING PLAN
HeartShare Human Services of New York has just been notified that due to expected severe weather conditions, all New York City public school buildings will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, December 17, 2020. For safety reasons, yellow bus service for charter and non-public school students will not operate tomorrow. Based on this notification, and in compliance with our NYSED reopening plan to put safety first, HeartShare will be closing in-person instruction tomorrow December 17, 2020, and Friday December 18, 2020, and will be teaching remotely. HeartShare programs will resume in-person/hybrid instruction on Monday December 21, 2020, if the weather permits.
During remote learning, teachers and therapists will provide ‘live’ instruction via Microsoft TEAMS. The live instructional session will be recorded and project-based activities that are related to daily instruction will be posted on the Microsoft TEAMS platform. All teachers, counselors and therapists will be available to meet with students via Microsoft TEAMS during these two days of remote instruction. Due to the severe weather and the suspension of transportation, the students will participate in daily, live remote learning provided by the teachers and assistants. All models of instruction will be provided remotely including classroom and tele-therapy instruction via Microsoft TEAMS.
In order to ensure equity among all students, all students will receive equal access and opportunity to teaching and learning that is completely aligned with NYS Department of Education. TEAMS is HeartShare’s remote learning platform used to communicate live instructional sessions, post lesson plans, provide tele-therapy, hold staff and family meetings and give feedback on students’ work. While keeping equity at the heart of learning, HeartShare will continue to provide the maximum level of education, whether it is in-person or remote, to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to education.
As we move forward through the winter months, HeartShare will adopt the Mayor’s Pilot Snow Day initiative and in all cases of snow days, will revert to remote only instruction until the weather provides safe travel for our students ages 3-21. When safe, we will go back to our hybrid model of in-person and remote.
Please be advised that the NYCDOH has informed us that we cannot reopen school until Friday November 20, 2020. The HeartShare School located at 1825 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11214, will remain on remote learning through November 19 and will reopen for in-person instruction on Friday November 20, 2020. The building has been fully disinfected and all students and staff will be tested prior to their return on November 20. Again, in person instruction will resume on Friday November 20, 2020.
In these times we wish to preserve and protect all students and staff. Stay Safe everyone.
Carol Verdi
Executive Director
HeartShare Education Center
Please be advised that effective today, November 6, 2020, The HeartShare School located at 1825 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11214, will be closed to in-person instruction for the next 14 days due to multiple reported cases of exposure to COVID-19. As per our reopening plan and advice from the NYCDOH, we will close the building, fully disinfect and revert to remote-only learning, extending to November 18, 2020. In-person instruction will resume on Thursday November 19, 2020. In these times we wish to preserve and protect all students and staff. Stay safe everyone.
Carol Verdi
Executive Director
HeartShare Education Center
In light of recent New York State Covid mitigation strategies and NYS OPWDD and NYS Department of Health guidance documents, HeartShare is now strongly requesting that all service recipients be tested for COVID-19 if they live in a certified residence/apartment and/or if they participate in a day program that is in a Hot Spot zone (red, orange or yellow). Attached are informational letters HeartShare recently sent to the family members and advocates of those supported, along with the OPWDD Cluster Zone Mitigation Guidance.
HeartShare’s teachers, teacher assistants and related therapy providers have been “Hidden Heroes” for all the work they are doing during the pandemic. Their dedication, passion and creativity to continue to amaze, including in these specific ways:
Within the limitation of only going out in the community for brief neighborhood walks, van rides or outings to a local park while maintaining social distancing, we are doing our best to keep everyone active and engaged, while also easing their restlessness as summer approaches.
Despite being stuck at home, we have had some nice things come to the residences!
Since March 18, HeartShare’s day services have relocated to our residences for the 350 individuals living in HeartShare 24-hour residences, with many day services staff now working directly in the residences to deliver day services. In addition, we are using a variety of electronic platforms to deliver day services via Community Habilitation to those day services participants who live at home with their families. This includes Facetime, Skype, Zoom and phone. Our Day Hab, Prevocational and Supported Employment staff have been exceptional in their persistence and creativity to keep our day program participant connected and supported during the coronavirus crisis. Here are some highlight:
During the Covid-19 pandemic, HeartShare Wellness continues to provide Intakes, Psychotherapy/Counseling, Speech Therapy, Psychosocial Evaluations and Psychological Evaluations. The evaluations in particular are needed by young adults who are turning 21 and leaving the school system, and HeartShare Wellness is happy to provide these services.
Please note: HeartShare Wellness adheres to the CDC, state, and local guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all patients and staff by use of PPE and practicing social distancing.
For further information and to make an appointment, please contact:
Angela Thomas, Clinic Director
Cell: 646-915-6361
Fax: 718-237-4940
angela.thomas@heartshare.org
HeartShare’s Respite Recreation Programs have been meeting virtually on Thursday nights, Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays. Virtual activities include playing live games such as Bingo, Charades and Hangman, playing online games such as Family Feud, watching movies, working out and staying healthy together with Zumba classes, and having dance parties.
Be sure to follow HeartShare on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you are able, please lend your support towards the high cost of Covid-19-related PPE, supplies, overtime, and hazard pay at HeartShare, for which we are getting no extra government support. Donations can be made here.
Dear HeartShare Family,
Black lives matter. In what world does that even need to be said? This world, unfortunately. The real world. Our world.
In the past few months, the covid-19 crisis has cast a searing harsh light on inequality—specifically, racial inequality—cruely amplified by immoral authorities who have sought power in division for hundreds of years. Reeling from months of isolation and feelings of helplessness, from arguments of who is essential and who is not, from a relentless bombardment of assurances that we are all alone together, we witnessed the monstrous public murder of George Floyd and in an instant we were no longer alone together, we were together, period.
The throngs of justifiably angry protestors chanting “No justice, no peace” in every city of our country and cities around the world are refusing to be manipulated into “us” and “them” any longer. Who are they? They are everyone. Every color, every age, every ability. They are a divisive authority’s worst nightmare, a collective rejection of the false divisions fomented by centuries of systemic racism. They are the ones who will be the change. They are us.
HeartShare stands with those peaceful protestors, just as we have always stood with the vulnerable and marginalized. Our dedication to diversity is reflected in our staff and in the communities we serve. Our support is unwavering. We haven’t gotten to where we are without raising our voices against forces that have sought to oppress. And we won’t stop now. We will not go gentle into that good night. There is no good night for one unless there is a good night for all. Until then, together, we rage for justice and for peace.
Sincerely,
William R. Guarinello
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dear HeartShare Family,
In these tumultuous times, the old adage that “the only constant in life is change” seems especially apt, as each day is somehow more unpredictable than the last. HeartShare is no stranger to change, with a history of successfully adapting to circumstance, and with the sudden seismic upheaval of life-as-we-know-it, we’ve had to quickly evolve to meet the needs of an unprecedented situation that affects the very heart of HeartShare.
Overnight, our group homes have become 24/7 medical facilities, no visitors allowed. Our front-line Direct Support Professionals have become first responders, bravely risking their own safety to ensure the safety of others. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become an official uniform. Living rooms have become classrooms as our schools shifted to remote learning. And despite all precautions, we’ve suffered illness, loss and heartbreak, gently tempered by a family’s gratitude for taking care of a son, a daughter, a sister, a brother. “To know that my Josh is safe and happy is a blessing,” wrote one mother.
The new dimensions of service we’ve instituted come with unbudgeted expenses. N95 masks cost as much as $20 each, and a gallon of hand sanitizer can go for $120, depending on the day. To help recoup these costs, we’re updating our traditional event-focused fundraising efforts to include a direct appeal, a creative reimagining and a postponement: The HeartShare Spring Gala, our biggest annual fundraiser, will become a fall Gala as the date is moved to Tuesday, September 22, with the festivities taking place at New York’s iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom. Additional details will follow. For now, here’s what’s happening and how you can help:
YES, I’D LIKE TO HELP PAY FOR PPE
YES, I’D LIKE TO JOIN THE RUN ON FACEBOOK
There will, undoubtedly, be additional changes in the coming days, weeks and months. Even these changes are subject to change—it’s a fact of life we live with now. But for every new challenge this situation poses, HeartShare will rise to the occasion with your continued support. We simply can’t do it without you. And we simply can’t thank you enough.
Please take care and stay safe.
Sincerely,
William R. Guarinello
President and Chief Executive Officer
Our President and CEO William R. Guarinello appeared via Zoom on FOX 5 / Fox5NY.com‘s “Good Day New York” this morning to talk with cohost and HeartShare Board Member Rosanna Scotto Fox 5 about the effect of the coronavirus crisis on HeartShare and other nonprofits that care for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the perseverance of Direct Support Professionals, the need for PPE and how you can support HeartShare right now. Click the photo below to watch the interview.
Dear HeartShare Family,
I hope that you and your loved ones are safe in these uncertain times. I’m reaching out to provide an update on how HeartShare is responding to the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Here is what we’re doing:
I want to take this opportunity to extend a huge thanks to everyone who is doing their best to navigate uncharted waters, especially our frontline workers. At a time when venturing outdoors and going to work every day represents an extreme act of courage, you consistently go above and beyond and provide an unparalleled level of caring, compassion and commitment. You are HeartShare’s first responders.
Thanks also to all those working hard behind the scenes to keep HeartShare functioning as close to normal as possible at our MetroTech headquarters, where most employees are working remotely. Operations are going as smoothly as can be expected given the conditions and that is a remarkable achievement. To everyone working from home, I commend you for pushing through the challenges and finding new ways to accomplish your day-to-day activities.
Many of these unforeseen challenges equate to unforeseen expenses, of course. At a time when we are implementing extraordinary measures to keep our staff and the individuals in our care safe, we are faced with the uncertainty of government support. If you’re wondering what you can do to ensure that HeartShare continues to do what it does best, you can show your support by donating today and by sharing this with your family and friends.
With your commitment, we will persevere because that’s what HeartShare always does—that’s the HeartShare way.
Please stay safe.
Sincerely,
William R. Guarinello
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has issued the following:
Health Advisory: COVID-19 Guidance for Operators of Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), Community Residences (CRs) and Private Schools Regarding Visitation
COVID-19 has been detected in multiple communities around New York State. Visitors may introduce COVID-19 infection into the facility. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is issuing the following guidance regarding visitors to IRAs, CRs and Private Schools and other precautions and procedures such facilities must take to protect and maintain the health and safety of their residents and staff during the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
To prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into IRAs, CRs and Private Schools:
Effective immediately, suspend all visitation except when medically or clinically necessary (i.e., visitor is essential to the care of the resident). In addition:
Dear HeartShare Families, Friends and Supporters,
I am writing to keep you informed about HeartShare’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In the interest of the vulnerable populations we serve, I want to assure you that we are closely monitoring and implementing the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York State Department of Health and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in addition to the Office of Persons With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), New York State Education Department and the New York Department of Education (DOE).
Here are the measures we’re taking:
Everyone’s health and safety are our principal concerns. We will be in touch with additional information as the situation develops. In the meantime, please take care.
Sincerely,
William R. Guarinello
President and Chief Executive Officer