16 Jun Visitation at residential programs to resume Friday

Governor Cuomo announced during his daily press briefing that group homes certified by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) may resume visitations at their discretion beginning Friday, June 19. 

Visitors will be required to wear masks and will be subject to symptom and temperature checks. Cuomo indicated that providers must notify the state once they reopen for visitation and follow state guidelines, but the specific details remain unclear. We anticipate further guidance from OPWDD within the week. 

We realize restrictions on visitation put immense emotional strain on loved ones who have been separated for months. The advocacy of CP State and its Affiliates was instrumental in reopening visitation in our residential programs, with appropriate precautions and procedures to ensure the health and safety of the people we support, our staff and communities. 

We thank families for their patience and understanding throughout this challenging time, and staff throughout the state for finding innovative ways to sustain connections between family and friends. 

Click here to read the June 16 OPWDD Commissioner’s message on visitatation.