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COVID-19 Information and Resources

The Arc of Indiana has developed this resource page to help provide the most recent factual information regarding COVID-19. Please be sure check this page often as we are committed to updating information and adding new content as soon as it becomes available.  

Fully vaccinated people should continue to:  

  • Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing who are at increased risk for severe
  • Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people
    COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
  • Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
  • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Follow guidance issued by individual employers
  • Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

Fully vaccinated people with COVID-19 symptoms:  

  • Although the risk that fully vaccinated people could become infected with COVID-19 is low, any fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for SARS-CoV-2 if indicated. The symptomatic fully vaccinated person should inform their healthcare provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care.
  • Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine or be tested following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, as their risk of infection is low.
  • Fully vaccinated people who do not quarantine should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure. If they experience symptoms, they should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, including SARS-CoV-2 testing, if indicated, and inform their health care provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care.
  • Fully vaccinated residents of non-healthcare congregate settings (e.g., correctional and detention facilities, group homes) should continue to quarantine for 14 days and be tested for SARS-CoV-2 following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. This is because residential congregate settings may face high turnover of residents, a higher risk of transmission, and challenges in maintaining recommended physical distancing.

SAI Video – Let’s Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI) has produced an informational video, Let’s Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccine. The video shares an important message on what the vaccine is, why it is important, how to talk with your physician about if the vaccine is right for you, and how to get information from trusted sources about the vaccine. Two resources include the Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We encourage you to watch and share the video, particularly with people with I/DD, as self-advocates share with other self-advocates.

Family Voices Home Internet Outreach Flyer

Family Voices Home Internet Outreach Flyer – Spanish

COVID-19, Unemployment Insurance, and People with Disabilities Fact Sheet – 4/16/20

Coronavirus Economic Impact Payment FAQ Fact Sheet – 4/15/20

BDDS FAQ on COVID-19 and Appendix K  

FAQ for Guardians about COVID-19

COVID-19 Plain Language Resource
This 8-page booklet about the coronavirus is written in plain language. It was created by and for people with developmental disabilities. It focuses on “need to know” information (not “nice to know” information).
Plain Language Booklet on COVID-19

COVID-19 Dedicated Websites

Quick Links

Indiana State Department of Health Call Center
317-233-7125 (M-F, 8:15 a.m. – 4:45p.m.)
317-233-1325 (after hours)

  • The ISDH call center continues to experience high volume. Hoosiers with general questions are encouraged to visit in.gov/coronavirus for more information. ISDH has implemented a toll-free call center at 877-826-0011 that includes options for healthcare providers as well as the public. Call center staff will not offer medical advice or provide test results.
  • ISDH Long-Term Care Guidance – Look under Long Term Care Facilities information
  • ISDH Infection Control Webinar Slides

Family and Social Services COVID-19 Guidance

FSSA continues to issue news and update guidance to program partners and stakeholders regarding many of the programs it oversees as our state responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. FSSA also continues to share daily updates from the Indiana State Department of Health. The most up-to-date information from ISDH can be found at in.gov/coronavirus. Following are links to current FSSA guidance:

Division of Disabilities and Rehabilitative Services
FSSA has closed its Bureau of Developmental Disability Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Services offices to the public, effective March 20, 2020, until further notice. DDRS services will continue for any new or current clients. BDDS and VR service delivery will continue. All scheduled appointments will take place via telephone or other virtual options. Clients may also continue to call and send documents to BDDS and VR offices.

First Steps 

  • New resources, including FAQs have been added to First Steps policies webpage. 3/25/20
  • Providers and provider agencies must keep a log of the families being served by video, phone or with a home program and must document their location when providing virtual visits on the face-to-face sheet/ session documentation.

Division of Family Resources

  • FSSA has closed its Division of Family Resources offices to the public, effective March 20, 2020.
  • Online and telephone services will continue to operate as normal. The FSSA benefits portal – www.fssabenefits.in.gov – is available around the clock for clients who need to submit applications or submit changes to their case. DFR staff are available by phone at 800-403-0864 to provide customer service Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. local time. All scheduled appointments will take place via telephone. Clients may also continue to send documents to DFR via mail at P.O. Box 1810, Marion, IN 46952.
  • People in need of food or cash assistance or health coverage can submit applications for SNAP, TANF and health coverage at www.fssabenefits.in.gov. Health coverage applications can also be completed over the phone at 800-403-0864. Paper applications will be available outside each DFR local office in English and Spanish and can be submitted via mail.

Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning

School Age Children

U.S. Department of Education information on providing Free Appropriate Public Education during COVID-19.  

Indiana Department of Education information on timelines and case conferences during COVID-19. 

IN*SOURCE Coronavirus Outbreak Information Page. 

National Disability Rights Network resources on COVID19 and Education of Students with Disabilities

NCEO and TIES Center are jointly developing a series of videos for parents on various aspects of supporting the learning of children with significant cognitive disabilities at home.

Helping Your Child with Routines at Home

Helping Your Child with the Foundations of Communication at Home

Helping Your Child with Communication at Home

Helping Your Child with Academics

Additional videos will be added to the series over the next several months The future videos will be on supporting the learning of reading, writing, and math at home, as well as one on monitoring progress.

Division of Mental Health and Addiction

BeWellIndiana
Provides information to help Hoosiers work through mental health challenges with children or teens, as well as seek support for themselves.

COVID-19 guidance for mental health care providers – 3/12/20

State to allow opioid treatment programs the use of lockboxes; provide naloxone to help reduce spread of COVID-19 -3/16/20

Indiana to offer Psychological First Aid training in response to COVID-19 -3/16/20

Resources 

Day Programs Tools and Best Practices During COVID-19 

How to Make an Advanced Designation of Representative Payee
Advance designation allows you to designate up to three individuals who could serve as a representative payee for you if the need ever arises.

Information on Appointing a Standby Guardian
Example of Standby Guardian Court Form
Parents of minor children and guardians of adults in Indiana may name an individual as a standby guardian to act if the parent or guardian becomes incapacitated or dies.

Appointment of Health Care Representative Form

HANDS in Autism Coronavirus Hub

UNC toolkit for those supporting individuals with autism during COVID-19

How to talk about COVID-19 with people who have autism – NPR report

Six free online speech therapy resources for kids

Making connections during social distancing – Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY)

Supported Employment Tools and Best Practices During COVID-19 – The Arc of the United States

Supporting Staff During the Coronavirus Pandemic – The Arc of the United States

More Federal Medicaid Funding Needed to Protect Home- and Community-Based Services – Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Evaluation Framework for Hospital Visitor Policies 

COVID-19 visual communications card for the deaf and hard of hearing population

Addressing Tenant Concerns During the COVID-19 National Emergency – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Eviction & Foreclosure Resource Guide – Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority