Virtually every community in the D.C. region is taking a hit during the coronavirus pandemic, including a Maryland support group for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
鈥淭he two sticky points for us are supplies, and the second sticky point鈥攈ow we pay these folks who are not coming in to do their regular day job,鈥� said Rob Malone, executive director of The Arc Prince George鈥檚 County.
Malone said their day programs are closed due to the pandemic, but their group homes are open.
鈥淭he folks that we support, for the most part, cannot live without their support鈥攑articularly if they鈥檙e in our group homes,鈥� Malone told 海角精品黑料.
About one-fifth of their staff members, some who worked with clients before the day programs closed, are now filling in shifts at the organization鈥檚 group homes.
鈥淏ut for the other ones鈥e don鈥檛 have鈥攅ven if they were working鈥攁 reimbursement mechanism, because they鈥檙e not doing what they typically would do that is funded,” Malone said.
Malone said the day program staffers are mostly lower-income workers.
鈥淚f we had them come in to do office work or clean the office or do whatever we wanted them to do, or needed to be done, there鈥檚 no funding source to pay them to come in and do it鈥攖he way our system is set up,鈥� Malone said.
It isn鈥檛 certain what will be funded during this crisis, but the dreaded eight-letter 鈥淔鈥� word is a possibility.
鈥淲e will have to furlough staff if the [Maryland] Developmental Disabilities Administration does not give us some certainty on what they鈥檙e going to fund,鈥� he said.
In the meantime, they鈥檙e having a difficult time getting the supplies they really need: Masks, disinfectant, wipes, toilet paper 鈥� so The Arc is mailing its stakeholders and members, asking those can spare supplies to drop them off at the organization’s office or headquarters building.
No one has tested positive thus far for the virus at their facilities, even though two of their group homes had to shelter in place for a few days as a precaution. A staff member worked at another nursing home where someone did test positive.
“That鈥檚 a concern鈥攁nd that鈥檚 certainly a fear of staff who are thinking and looking around saying, well if something happens, what do I have to protect myself,” Malone said.
In addition to any masks and cleaning supplies, they鈥檙e also accepting games for their clients to play at group homes while their daytime activities have been suspended.
Donations can be dropped off at their headquarters鈥�1401 McCormick Drive, Upper Marlboro. Donations can also be made online聽.
