Our top priority at ASI is the health, well-being, and safety of our students, individuals and staff. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, state guidance and regulations, and will update information as it becomes available.
Status of Program and Services
- Effective Monday, November 16, 2020, ASI’s Education Program will shift to fully remote learning. Please click here to view the notification letter.
- Effective Monday, November 16, 2020, the After School Program will also be closed until further notice.
- Effective Friday morning, November 20, 2020, Autism Services, Inc.’s Day Habilitation Programs will be suspended due to Erie County’s Orange Cluster Zone designation, per OPWDD guidance. This includes our Site-Based Programs at Hertel and South Long and our Day Hab Without Walls Program
- Effective Monday, November 23, 2020, Autism Services Education Sites located at 30 Hazelwood Drive and 124 Elmwood Ave will be within a designated Orange Zone. Therefore, Autism Services will continue to operate with remote instruction only, and until further notice.
- Effective Monday, November 23, 2020, all non-essential visitation at ASI’s residential sites is suspended until Erie County’s Orange Zone designation is lifted.
Communication to our Families
- November 10, 2020 Letter to OPWDD Families
- May 13, 2020 Letter to Families
- March 14, 2020 Letter to Families
Resources for Families
Social Stories
- Social Story about Wearing Masks (pdf)
- Social Story about Distance Learning (pdf)
- Social Story about Distance Learning (powerpoint)
- Social Story about COVID-19 school closure
- Overview of COVID-19 describes what COVID-19 is and how to protect yourself and can be used to help your loved one make sense of what is happening in the world right now.
- Staying Home for Now can help you explain to your loved one why it is important to stay at home during this crisis.
Useful Links
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
- World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/
- Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/
- Erie County Department of Health: http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=coronavirus
- New York State Education: http://www.nysed.gov/
- Office for People With Developmental Disabilities: https://opwdd.ny.gov/
- American Sign Language videos from the CDC regarding COIVD-19: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsfUB4RKh6J
- Find NYS Hot Spot Zones by Address
https://covidhotspotlookup.health.ny.gov/#/home
Feeling Stressed?
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations like COVID-19. You may feel anxious, mad, sad, or overwhelmed. Find ways you and your family can reduce stress.
- Learn the common signs of stress.
- Make time to unwind and do activities you enjoy.
- Talk with family and friends by phone, text, or email.
- If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed, get support 24/7 by calling 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Learn more about stress and coping during the COVID-19 outbreak: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html.
ASI Staff
Please check Paylocity for communication and updates from the Crisis Management Team throughout this crisis.
Questions? Contact our Crisis Management Team
If you have specific questions, please call 631-5777 x 380 and leave a message or email us. Thank you again for your patience as we continue our attempts to provide consistent messages during an ever-changing crisis situation.
ASI’s Crisis Management Team has developed and implemented a COVID-19 Reopening/Response Safety Plan. Please note that information is ever changing and this document will be updated as needed. All information is only accurate up until the date and time indicated on the top of the Plan.