Special Communication to Families June 19, 2020

Dear Family Members, Guardians and Friends of Spectrum for Living,

I hope that each and every one of you and your families are well. I write to you with good news to share. Following new guidelines issued by our licensing agency, the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD – See Attached), effective this Sunday, June 21^st, we will begin allowing scheduled family/guardian Social Distancing Visits outside of our residential apartments and group homes using face coverings. Please note that we are not yet permitting visits to residents of our Closter Intermediate Care Facility at this time as we are still operating under mandate from our licensing agency to restrict visits to that facility.

As you are well aware, the coronavirus is still circulating among the population, and some states are now experiencing record highs in the number of reported cases. We fully understand your desire to see your loved ones, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the restrictions on in-person visits we have had to implement in response to the pandemic. We ask again for your understanding and cooperation as we now implement new residential visitation protocols to safeguard everyone’s well-being going forward. Please contact program management at your loved one’s residential apartment or group home to arrange for a visit.

Lastly, I would like to announce that our Annual Staff Appreciation Day will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Please consider expressing your gratitude to our staff in a manner that is meaningful to you. In the past, some families have donated catered lunches/dinners for staff at a given residence, which have been well-received. Even a simple written note of thanks would be appreciated more than you will ever know. I hope that you will join with us in celebrating our staff – our Heroes! – who have truly gone above and beyond in ensuring that the needs of our many residents continue to be met throughout the pandemic.

We wish you and your family members continued good health. Be well.

Regards,

Christopher Perry
President & CEO