Information below updated as of 1/21/20.
The safety and well-being of those we serve, our staff and their families are our number one priority. During this time of uncertainty related to the Coronavirus, we will utilize our website, email and social media channels for any emerging updates as warranted. Bancroft Staff are considered ESSENTIAL Personnel and will be traveling to and from our locations to support the needs of those in our care. Bancroft is a life sustaining organization and is essential to the community.
Bancroft family members, loved ones, supporters and partners,
As we continue to monitor Coronavirus in our region, we wanted to keep you updated on the preventative measures being taken and preparations being made here at Bancroft to help keep your loved one healthy.
We are in constant contact with local and state agencies in NJ, PA and DE to gain insight and best practices as new cases of the virus are reported. We are working with program leaders and staff to implement precautionary measures and cleanliness education in all locations and group homes, and identify public areas where we will temporarily limit visits.
Please check your email often for updates. If you are not receiving emails and have a loved one in one of our programs, please email [email protected].
Family Resources & Activities
FAMILY VISITS
Visits will be scheduled in advance through your program manager beginning. If there are updates to the visitation policy within a specific program, a communication will be sent out to the families with loved ones in that program.
Virtual Visitation Options:
We are encouraging you to schedule video conferencing (Skype or Facetime) as well as phone calls with your loved ones. Program Managers will be able to assist you with this process.
Bancroft staff will be using Google Hangouts Meet to help facilitate video calls between families and their loved ones. This is a free, online video conferencing tool available through the Google Suite applications. You do not need a Gmail account to join a Google Meet video call.
Our team has put together a “how-to” guide for families who are unfamiliar with the application.
Google Hangouts Meet How To Guide
UPDATES BY PROGRAM
The Bancroft School Welsh Campus and Preschool & Early Education Program:
The Bancroft School Welsh Campus and the Preschool & Early Education Program have returned to the hybrid learning model. Bancroft continues to take every precaution necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the children we serve and of our staff working within our school and residential programs.
We will continue to keep you abreast of any updates or changes in status.
Back to School Plans for the 2020 – 2021 School Year Now Available. Read More.
Group homes remain fully operational, with family visitation rules in place.
Bancroft NeuroRehab Outpatient Services remain open at this time; however, we will be pre-screening clients prior to their appointments. See details here.
Bancroft Headquarters remain open.
Day program sites have been closed.
Unfortunately, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases around the state, we have been directed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities to close all Day Programs effective Thursday, November 26. This closure is consistent with the directive to all DDD providers throughout the state and part of the precautions that must be taken to reduce the spread of the virus.
FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS
For questions related to Bancroft’s response and actions taken to keep our staff and those in our care as safe as possible, please email: [email protected]
COMMUNITY OUTINGS
We understand that community outings are an integral part of our programming, but in order to keep those we serve and our staff healthy, we are avoiding visits to large, crowded indoor areas at this time, to reduce potential exposure to the virus.
We are initiating extra cleaning measures at all sites, and emphasizing the need for hand washing among those in our care and staff. We are providing additional infection control training to staff, as well.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Please alert us if you or a family member who has been in contact with those we serve or our staff has been exposed.
- Support our staff by practicing infection prevention measures when visiting our programs (i.e. hand-washing hygiene, sneezing or coughing into a tissue or sleeve).
- Please do not visit our locations or your loved one if you are sick.
- Limit the number of visitors.
BANCROFT EMERGENCY FUND
The Bancroft Emergency Fund will help us continue our integral services during this heightened time of need, funding the purchase of additional hand sanitizer, soap and personal protective equipment for staff, as well as air mattresses for the direct support professionals working around-the-clock to ensure seamless support for the individuals in our care.
HELP NOW
We appreciate your support during this global infection-control situation. We will continue to inform you of any updates in the weeks ahead.
If you have any questions or concerns or need to report any illness, please contact our Infection Control Officer, Rosalie Knapp, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Karen Lindgren, Ph.D.
Chief Clinical Officer