CCARC, Inc. dba Key Training Center
April 10, 2020
Dear Key family,
As news of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community continues to develop, we remain actively trying to stop the spread of the virus by practicing health screenings, social distancing, hand washing, and sanitizing. We are abiding by the Florida Governor’s statewide stay-at-home executive order. Most of our operations and services follow under CISA’s essential critical infrastructure workforce criteria, especially during a global health pandemic. Our staff, in all areas, is working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for everybody. They are working as a team and their efforts and ability to adapt during this ever-changing time is remarkable. Staff teams continuing to work safely include:
- Our Direct Support Professionals in both Day and Residential services are essential to ensuring the health, safety, and care of our residential clients. Staff continues to work in our homes and provide much needed day activities and vital support services. The supporting administrative staff of these departments continues to work to keep these departments going smoothly.
- Our Business and Human Resource office is closed to the general public. Still, the staff is continuing to work behind the scenes billing for services, paying bills, addressing staff issues, and interviewing/hiring staff.
- Our Day Service program and Key Elder Club are operating on a limited basis, meeting the needs of those parents, guardians, and loved ones that work in the healthcare field or require additional assistance during the day. Our drivers are transporting these clients on a small-scale basis via vans.
- Our Fleet and Maintenance staff is busy keeping our vehicles running and homes working in proper order. They have been extremely helpful in setting up COVID-19 isolation areas for possible use and securing sanitizing products.
- Our Nursing staff continues to take a leading role in the health of our clients and staff training. They have been instrumental in securing PPE equipment and working closely with local and state health care agencies.
- Our Foundation staff is working to keep our communication lines open, properly thanking our donors, pursuing grants, and securing donations. This department handles our internal envelope printing, which is vital for communication to parents and guardians like this letter.
- Our Retail staff continues to work in the stores, but the storefronts have been closed to the public. Due to the current number of donation drop-offs and anticipation of increased donations, the local Emergency Management deemed the stores operational. Studying other areas and States with stay-at-home orders, thrift stores were overrun with drop-off donations. Labels is closed to the public but will continue to sell and pay for items online and arrange for curbside pickup encouraged by the Governor’s Executive Order.
When we started our planning to respond to this massive public health emergency, we did it intending to protect our employees so that they could best serve our clients and customers. This protection included proactive health screenings, trainings, and following CDC sanitation guidelines, but as importantly, protection for our employees from the loss of a job. So far, we have achieved that goal through Small Business Administration non-profit low-interest loans and loans that may be forgiven with proper documentation of additional expenses and financial losses. We also successfully applied for the Paycheck Protection Program. We will continue to aggressively secure other monetary funds as they become available, including State Emergency FEMA funds.
I cannot brag enough on our staff in all departments for their incredible commitment, care, and compassion they provide our clients and customers. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Team, we honor and thank our staff for their unwavering commitment to our clients and customers, their tremendous sacrifice and hard work, and their dedication to each other. Our staff is the lifeblood of this organization and truly makes a difference. Through it, all, the Key Training Center will be a better organization, a stronger organization, and even more resilient. Together, we will overcome this challenge. Attached you will find a snap shot of our staff and clients in action this week reminding us why we do what we do at the Key Center with the guiding cornerstones of kindness, love, dignity, and respect.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call:
Melissa Walker, Executive Director 352.795-5541 ext. 203
Theresa Flick, Director of Program Operations 352.795.5541 ext. 224
Barbara Branch, Director of Day Services 352.795.5541 ext. 244
Cole Kiser, Director of Residential Services 352.795.5541 ext. 227
Easter time reminds us that hope must never be lost for as dark as the road may seem, there always lies light at the end of it. May your Easter blessings abound!
Sincerely,
Melissa Walker
Executive Director