Stay informed about coronavirus – COVID-19

PCA program changes

If you receive PCA services but are struggling to access these services during the COVID-19 outbreak, call the MassOptions hotline at 1-844-422-6277

IA’s changes in response to COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with recommendations from the CDC, Independence Associates is making some changes to protect the well-being of our consumers and staff. As of Monday, March 16th, the following policy changes are in effect until further notice:

  • IA staff are being asked to implement Social Distancing. What this means is effective Monday March 16, 2020 we will not be having any un-scheduled (Walk in) appointments at our office.
  • Face to face meetings with staff will only occur with scheduled appointments for which staff will call with you to confirm and ask a few questions that we have been advised by our funders before visiting you or having you come to the office. For some of our programs we will be making minimal in person visits only as necessary.
  • Skills training will continue via video chat, telephone, or email until it is deemed safe to return to in-person meetings. We apologize for any inconvenience and will do everything we can to help you as much as possible during this time.
  • All in-person social events at IA are canceled until further notice. This includes our monthly Board & Committee meetings, youth and DDS event as well as Dungeons and Dragons, BTV, and other groups facilitated by us. IA may explore virtual options to hold some of these groups remotely, check IACIL.org for announcements.
  • IA staff may be working remotely from outside of the office. This will cause a few changes. Please have patience as we implement these and learn together:
    • Staff not in the office will not be able to directly answer phone calls. To reach your skills trainer by phone, leave a voicemail message on their extension as all staff will still have access to their voicemail and can return calls during business hours.
    • Staff may return calls from a number you are not familiar with or an unlisted private phone number so please consider answering your phone from an unlisted number if you are expecting a return phone call from us.
    • All staff have access to email outside of the office so please consider contacting them that way.

The wellbeing of our consumers is our highest priority and Independence Associates will remain open during our regular business hours unless otherwise announced. If you are having difficulty reaching your skills trainer and require additional assistance, please email rmacleod@iacil.org and this will be looked into as quickly as possible. This is a very challenging time for our community and Independence Associates will be there to assist you as much as we possibly can while doing everything we can to protect the health of our consumers and staff.

Thank you very much,
Independence Associates Management