Dear Key family,
Last week’s annual Run for the Money events was a miraculous week for the Key Training Center. We are fortunate to have a community that supports our work, even in difficult times of a pandemic. We know that this has been a challenging year for some, but we could not do what we do without our clients, families, staff, and community. At the end of the telethon on Saturday, July 25, we raised the astounding total of over $259,000 to go towards our $300,000 commitment to provide year-round scholarships for those 40+ clients that are on the State’s waiting list for home and community-based waiver services. This year, our core 30 runners and cyclers exceeded their 180-miles, and 125 community and beyond runners and walkers joined virtually logging together over 2,000 miles! Wow, what a beautiful community testament to the love, admiration, and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To date, we continue to have a beautiful bubble surrounding the Key Center with NO positive COVID-19 cases for staff or clients. Our guard remains high, and we are prepared to take action if or when a case is identified. Over 70 of our residential and day services staff is being COVID-19 tested every two weeks.
We continue to have dynamic fluidity as it relates to COVID-19. We are moving forward while leading through present pandemic instability by adapting to difficult operating circumstances while looking beyond current conditions to keep focused on the horizon. Once again, our number one priority at the Key has been to protect our clients, residents, and staff from COVID-19. Our staff and clients in all departments have done a fantastic job showing every day their endurance during these tough times by minimizing the disruption of vital services to our clients and customers. The Key Center has not laid off or furloughed any staff members and, in contrast, is meeting the daily needs of its 145 residents and over 40 community day services clients.
We are closely watching the COVID-19 activity in our State and our community. With recent statistics, we are not moving to the 2nd phase reopening for our day services program. All of our facilities follow the CDC’s recommendations on prevention steps, including following strict handwashing procedures and infection control procedures. All clients and staff are consistently screened before entering the day, residential, business office, and retail facilities. All clients’ health continues to be assessed and monitored.
We continue to be under the strict no visitations Emergency Order-006 issued by the Governor on March 15, 2020, and enforced by the Agency for Health Care Administration and Agency for Persons with Disabilities. In June, we implemented outside visits for parents and guardians. We appreciate everyone following the requirements of arranged visits, health screenings to include no-touch temperature, and the wearing of a face mask.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call 352.795.5541: Theresa Flick, Director of Program Operations, ext. 224; Barbara Branch, Director of Day Services, ext. 244; Cole Kiser, Director of Residential Services, ext. 227; or Tinker Bowen, Director of Foundation, ext. 106.
Please keep all the Key staff, clients, and our community in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Melissa Walker
Executive Director