How We're Responding to COVID-19
TO: Families Together Supporters
FROM: Lisa Rowe, Executive Director
DATE: March 17, 2020
RE: COVID-19
Families Together has been closely monitoring the challenges posed by the rising number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the U.S. and, in particular, Wake County. We are collaborating intensively with our partner agencies and participating in daily community-wide conference calls to ensure a well-coordinated emergency response for families experiencing homelessness.
First and foremost, Families Together will follow guidance from the CDC as well as state and local public health officials (NC DHHS and Wake County Government). See below links:
Wake County COVID-19 Information
We aim to access reliable and relevant information so we can take precautions and take appropriate action, not panic.
Last week, we put in place a Families Together Contingency Plan for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and yesterday we moved into Phase II – Heightened Phase. The plan enumerates specific steps to help protect the health and well-being of the families we serve, our staff, our volunteers and other stakeholders. These include utilizing phone and digital contact with families in our program as much as possible, cancellation of client workshops and volunteer events, and teleworking of our staff team as much as possible. Provisions have been made to equip staff with the tech support and equipment they need to work from home.
A letter to families in our program announcing changes in how we will be communicating with them is being delivered today. It includes a listing of direct phone numbers to each of our nine Program Team members (including myself) along with specific areas of concern we are monitoring (i.e. need for assistance obtaining COVID-19 testing and job loss due to the virus).
In the event that there is a more widespread outbreak, we will continue to pay employees, including those who are not salaried, so as to encourage them to remain at home caring for themselves and their family without worry of losing wages.
If we close our office due to staff shortages or public request, we will let our stakeholders know and will make every effort to continue programs and services as best we can. We hope that all are kept safe and remain healthy as we work together to address this public health challenge.
Many of you have been in touch with offers of help and we are grateful for the donations of food, supplies, and financial support. We will be following up with additional ways you can support families experiencing homelessness through our emergency response efforts.