To: All WACOSA stakeholders
From: Steve Howard, Executive Director
Re: Temporarily closing our services
In light of the recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, WACOSA will be closing all Center-Based Day Services at all locations as of Thursday, March 19, 2020, with a tentative reopening date of April 6, 2020. However, we wish to emphasize this date is tentative. With the constantly evolving COVID-19 health care crisis, we ask that you monitor WACOSA’s website (www.wacosa.org) or phone line (320-251-0087) for the most up-to-date information on current and future WACOSA services. We will work individually with persons served, families, case managers, group homes, and guardians to determine a plan for people that cannot be safe at home during the day. WACOSA is dedicated to continuing to provide services so that people are safe. If this is the case for you or your family member, please contact your WACOSA supervisor or case manager as soon as possible.
At this time, we have not been notified of any confirmed cases of exposure to COVID-19 here at WACOSA. However, anyone who is at higher risk based on guidance from the CDC (guidance from the CDC) should immediately stay home and contact their medical professional should they be experiencing flu-like symptoms. WACOSA’s offices in Waite Park, St. Cloud and Sauk Center that support our services will be closed to the public.
Closure will mean that clients will not be working at their respective community work sites. WACOSA leadership is currently engaged in determining how best to meet the needs of employers during the current health care crisis.
We understand that closure may be a hardship for families and residential providers, but think this step is best in order to support the health and safety of persons served, as well as our many staff, stakeholders and the community, in general. We are following the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and our disability trade association. Please keep in mind this is a rapidly evolving situation and the information contained in this letter may change in the future. We appreciate this is a time filled with uncertainty and concern. Rest assured WACOSA remains dedicated to protecting and balancing the mental, physical and safety needs of everyone we support.
You will be able to find the most current WACOSA status on our website and Facebook pages, along with our recorded phone line. Any significant changes to the information in this notice will be posted in those places and/or emailed via our email list. If you have additional questions, please contact info@wacosa.org. I am also available to answer questions during this time on my cell phone at (320) 292-9319.
Thank you for your support and patience during this time. I am confident we will get through this difficult time and emerge strong after.