Hope is in the Air!

Little by Little We Start Moving Forward Together

In our recent family POD meetings not only have we discussed the challenges and successes of our loved ones venturing into independent living but recently we are also trying to help each other navigate signing up for, finding, and getting the vaccine that we know is so important to our folks with special needs.

If you have information that can help other families please email us at info@ilonow.org.

In the meantime, try the CDC’s VaccineFinder.org app.

We are truly “all in this together!”

You don’t owe anyone perfection – just your best self!

FREE Spirit Club Classes

Cooking Lesson*

Every Other Friday

3:00-4:00 pm

Check your weekly GroupMe chat for the Zoom link and ingredients

*Participating self-advocates, or their families, must be members of the ILO Community Group and must sign a waiver before participation.

Go to: https://www.ilonow.org/ilo-community-group/ for more info or to join the ILO Community Group.

Meet Phillip Lartigue

Manager of Employment Services at ARC DC

 We are really excited to share the wonderful news of a new partnership between ILO and the Arc of DC. Thanks to Carol Wheeler, we made a connection with Phil Lartigue at the Arc of DC regarding their services in the area of employment.

As of January 25^th, working in partnership with the Arc of DC, Phil Lartigue is now ILO’s employment specialist.

The Arc of DC is also a vendor for RSA, so if a self-advocate has RSA, through your RSA case manager you can request the Arc of DC and Phil Lartigue for employment needs. The beauty here is RSA pays the fees and not the family via ILO.

If you are interested in hiring Phil as your self-advocate’s employment specialist, please contact Maedi Tanham Carney directly. Once you meet Phil, I know you will be as excited as we are with this connection. Your self-advocate will be working before you know it.

ILO’s Initiatives to Support CDC Guidelines for the Disabled during Social Integration

NO Contact Rule

ILO will require any staff person who has tested positive for COVID-19 to negatively pass two (2) COVID-19 tests before contact with any ILO participant, family member, or other staff person. If a staff member has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Social Distancing and Masks

ILO staff will ensure that participants at any self-advocate gathering maintain social distancing of 6’ and that each person wears a mask.

Hand Washing Hygiene

ILO will encourage activity participants (staff, self-advocates, family, and guests) to wash their hands frequently (before, during, and after any event) and to carry hand sanitizer with them.

Disinfecting Where Possible

At any ILO gathering ILO staff will wipe down doorknobs, tabletops, and other surfaces with disinfectant wipes before and throughout the event or activity to the extent possible.

Safety and Wellness Training

ILO has trained self-advocates about safety issues including: emergency preparedness, having an emergency contact list, how to ask for help, calling 911, putting together a first aid and emergency kit, and dealing with emergencies. ILO will continue to review and reinforce this training on a regular basis.

Immediate Mediation if Symptomatic

ILO staff will contact family and/or caregivers immediately about any self-advocate who exhibits symptoms on COVID-19 and will help that self-advocate seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

The COVID-19 outbreak is a dynamic and unpredictable situation. ILO will adapt as needed.