COVID-19 Resource Page
COVID-19 – Our Staff Is Here for You
To our consumers, clients, and friends,
With the rise of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the U.S. and locally, we understand that these are uncertain times. We want to reassure you that our staff, services, and resources will continue to be available to you. However, in an effort to mitigate the impact on our consumers, clients, and staff, we are making changes in some of the ways we do business.
Beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020, our buildings (located at 729 and 711 S. Tejon) will be closed to visitors, including consumers, clients, and vendors. Our staff will still be available to assist you by phone (719-471-8181) and email (info@the-ic.org) during our regular business hours of 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Below, you will find helpful information and resources about the coronavirus and emergency planning. This will be updated as the situation evolves.
In addition – with guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local officials – we have implemented the following policies and procedures for our staff and leadership team to help them stay healthy and available to you:
- Frequently communicating with our staff regarding this rapidly changing situation and giving them the support they need to make good decisions for themselves, their families, and the people we serve.
- Encouraging good hand and respiratory hygiene, including frequent hand washing.
- Taking extra precautions in our work environment.
- Eliminating business-related travel and gatherings whenever possible.
- Sending home employees who appear to be sick.
- Requiring self-quarantine for staff who travel for personal reasons.
- Increasing social distancing by implementing technology and infrastructure that would allow some staff members to work remotely.
Thank you for your being part of The Independence Center family. We look forward to helping you through these times and beyond. We will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and will adjust accordingly.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out. We’re all in this together!
Patricia Yeager, Ph.D.
CEO, The Independence Center
Resource Guide
The IC works with a network of partners and resources to help people with disabilities live more independent lives. If you need assistance during COVID-19, we urge you to reach out to The IC at 719-471-8181 or contact one of the organizations in the link below.
Create Your Own Health and Wellness Plan
Create a plan including your checklist, support circle, support needs, meal plans, and various other topics necessary to maintain your health and wellness in the time of COVID-19. You can request training on building your plan on our “Schedule Training” page, or you can download and build your own plan by clicking on the “Download PDF” button below.
The links below should be helpful for planning and preparedness.
Information on Food and Prescription Access for Individuals Without Transportation
Email to Our Independence Center Consumers Concerning COVID-19
Pandemic Map for the State of Colorado
“Stay in Place” Order From the State of Colorado
Pandemic Map and Data from Johns Hopkins University (Continuously Updated)
The Coronavirus & People with Disabilities – The Colorado Cross-Disability Association
Planning, Prevention, and Guidance from ACL
Emergency Preparedness Workbook from The Independence Center
COVID-19 Information from El Paso County Public Health Department
COVID-19 Information from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Emergency Preparedness Website from the Department of Homeland Security
COVID-19 Information from the White House Coronavirus Task Force
Resources available to senior citizens amid coronavirus pandemic from KOAA