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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. The resource page also includes links to virtual educational and fun activities for young and old to utilize while we are spending our days at home. Please be sure check this page often as we are committed to updating information and adding new content as soon as it becomes available.  

SAI Video – Let’s Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccine – January 11, 2021
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.

DSPs Can Register for COVID-19 Vaccine – January 11, 2021 
Providers of services for people with I/DD have received a memo from the Indiana State Department of Health to share with their direct care staff that includes a link to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. DSPs who have in-person contact with clients or who have exposure to infectious material in congregate settings, in-home settings, etc. can now register to receive the vaccine. Individuals who provide services 100% remote or who provide services that are not medical or related to personal care needs are not yet eligible. DDRS will soon be announcing protocol and plans for people with I/DD in congregate settings to receive the vaccine.
The Facts About COVID-19 Vaccine for DSPs

Vaccine Information for General Public – January 11, 2021 
People 80 and over can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To register, go to: https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov/ or call 211.

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

Virtual Activities for Young and Old

Virtual School Activities offers a collection of sites to live webcams, virtual tours/trips, and other miscellaneous fun academic sites. Following is a short list of the many resources listed. Check out the website for the full list!