Read updates on COVID-19 and Advocates.

COVID-19 and Advocates

Your source for COVID-19 information, resources, and program updates at Advocates.

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Advocates
January 14, 2021

General Updates

As COVID-19, more commonly known as Coronavirus, continues to be a concern across our country and the world, we are taking these concerns very seriously and working diligently to prevent the spread of the virus at Advocates. Find the most recent updates and information here. 

Advocates has met all the criteria required to perform Phase 1 services and procedures as defined in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Reopen Approach for Health Care Providers. Our Reopen Attestation was submitted on May 22, 2020. Learn more about the Governor’s 4-phased approach to reopening Massachussetts.(link is external)View Advocates' DPH attestation.


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Advocates Program Updates

  • Life Skills & Learning Center: Day services at Advocates Life Skills & Learning Center in Ashland are now open and we continue to provide some services and support virtually.
     
  • Brain Injury Day & Community Services: Day services at Advocates Brain Injury Day & Community Services in Lexington continue to provide some services and support virtually.
     
  • Our Psychiatric Emergency Services are available virtually. If you are experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, please call (800) 640-5432 to speak to an Advocates crisis clinician. We are available to help 24 hours a day, every day. Learn more.
     
  • Advocates Community Counseling : All services, including therapy and psychiatric medication appointments, provided through Advocates Community Counseling in Framingham, Marlborough, Harvard, and Waltham are virtual - through Telehealth by phone or Zoom - until further notice. There are no walk-in hours or appointments being run in office locations. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our intake line at (508) 661-2038. 
     
  • The Living Room: Our 24-hour crisis alternative program, The Living Room, is open for in-person visits from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. There is a limit of 2 guests at a time, so it may be helpful for individuals to call before visiting, if possible. If you are planning to visit, please call (508) 661-3333. There will be no overnight stays at this time. We will continue to support individuals experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis by offering 24-hour phone support. If you are struggling, please call (508) 661-3333 to connect with one of our caring certified peer specialists. 
     
  • Residential Programs:  Jump to latest update for families below.
     
  • Virtual Support Groups: Advocates is now offering several virtual support groups via Zoom. These include mental health support groups as well as social and recreational groups. Facilitated by members of Advocates Peer Specialist team, these support groups are open to anyone in the community, not just individuals served by Advocates, and participation is confidential. Learn more.
     
  • Adult Family Care: MassHealth has allowed flexibility in how we provide Telehealth services to Adult Family Care members. These changes allow us to continue to enroll, support, and provide care to caregivers and members during this difficult time. 

Updates for Staff 

For the latest internal updates, FAQs, and resources, please check your Advocates email or login to The Connector.


Updates for Families

To receive updates via email, please subscribe to our email newsletters. 


Latest Updates 

1/13/20 - COVID-19 Vaccine Update for DDS Community from Commissioner Jane Ryder

1/8/20 - COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Residential Group Home Families (Congregate Care Setting).

  • Open Forum for Families: COVID-19 Vaccine 
    • Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Held by: Diane Gould, Advocates President and CEO, and Dr. Mark Viron, Advocates Chief Medical Officer
    • Family members and guardians of individuals living in an Advocates’ home are welcome to join us for an Open Forum regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Diane Gould and Dr. Mark Viron will provide the most up to date information and answer questions or concerns.
    • View Full Recording.

1/4/20 - COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Families of all Day Programs (Advocates Life Skills and Learning Center), Adult Family Care, and Shared Living.

12/29/20 - Read COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Residential Group Home Families (Congregate Care Setting).

  • Download the COVID-19 Vaccine consent form for guardians
  • Open Forum for Families: COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Held by: Diane Gould, Advocates President and CEO, and Dr. Mark Viron, Advocates Chief Medical Officer
    • Family members and guardians of individuals living in an Advocates’ home are welcome to join us for an Open Forum regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Diane Gould and Mark Viron will provide the most up to date information and answer questions or concerns.
    • Please stay tuned for future forums and/or recordings. 

11/20/20 - Update for holiday visitation in residential group homes. 

11/13/20 - Holiday Visitation Letter to Congregate Care Families from Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

9/9/20 - Read update for residential families.

8/25/20 - Read update for families of Advocates Life Skills and Learning Center.

7/13/20 - Read update for Developmental Disabilities Residential Families.

7/1/20 - Revised Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs.

6/9/20 - Read update for residential families.

5/22/20 - Read update. 

5/22/20 - Updated COVID-19 guidance and information for DDS individuals and families.

5/11/20 - Read update. 

4/25/20 - Read update. 

4/14/20 - Read update. 

4/4/20 - Read update. 

3/27/20 - Read update. 

3/25/20 - Updated COVID-19 guidance and information for DDS individuals and families from Commissioner Jane Ryder.

3/19/20  - Read update. 

3/16/20 - COVID-19 Update for DDS Individuals and Families from Commissioner Jane Ryder.

3/11/20 - Read update.



Resources for Families

Information on COVID-19

Downloadable Tools

Community Resources

Daily Resources and Activities

Resources in American Sign Language (ASL)