The reopening of the economy in Kansas is ongoing, but the threat of COVID-19 remains. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced that the state’s Ad Astra plan is to be used a guidance for local governments, and the onus will be on local health officials to help governments determine the best strategy to reopen.

At JCDS, we are largely staying the course outlined in our Reopening Plan, but with a change to our visitation guidance. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of the people we serve and staff, and this guidance will help increase opportunities for people served to spend time with visitors while continuing to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

These updated guidelines are subject to change and will be reassessed as needed.

About 20 individuals have begun receiving day services again at the Elmore Center, and programs such as Papercrete Works and Emerging Artists have reopened with new protective measures in place. We plan to bring back additional residents to receive services at the Elmore Center by the end of the month. We’ve also seen an increase in the number of people who are ready to return to competitive employment, and our employment specialists are assisting them as they reenter the workforce.

Individuals who do not return to the Elmore Center will continue to receive day services through the residential program. Individuals in service and staff are continuing to follow CDC guidance on physical distancing, mask usage, surfacing cleaning and hand washing.

We understand this global health crisis has impacted all of us – individuals in services, their families and guardians, and our staff. Our commitment to mitigating community spread has made these last few months of self-isolation difficult for all of us, and likely more challenging for individuals in service.

We appreciate everyone’s commitment to following the health and safety precautions put in place as we ease visitation guidelines and acclimate to these changes. Staff will continue to follow strict infection control protocols, such as the consistent use of PPE, while providing services. Thank you for complying with these guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.

If you have any questions regarding the new visitation guidance, please contact the appropriate team leader, the Director of Residential Services Sarah Schlitter or Director of Day and Employment Services Beth Johnson.