COVID-19 Information

In March 2020, we closed all of our locations to visitors, which included visits from family, friends, contractors and all other non-essential services.  That was particularly hard for families and the people we support but following the directives from Waterloo Region Public Health and the Province of Ontario has been an important step in ensuring the health and safety of the people we support and the team members at KW Hab.  At the end of August, we were so pleased to announce that we were able to relax some of the visitor restrictions and begin temporary “short stay” absences.  Resuming activities outside the home and participating and engaging in community activities has had positive effects on the mental health and well-being of the people we support.

• Family and Friends Visitor Guidelines, February 2022
• MCCSS C0VID-19 Update, February 15, 2022
• General Interim Directions, February 2022
• Congregate care guidelines updated July 21, 2021
• Memo re Congregate Care Guidance – correction (July 21, 2021)
• Memo – MCCSS Congregate Care Guidance updated July 16, 2021
• Click the link for an update from MCCSS about Re-opening updated June 30, 2021
• Click the link for Essential Visitor Information and Requirements updated June 10, 2021
• Click the link for the Summary of Visitor and Recreational Activities updated June 10, 2021
• Click the link for Appendix Summary of Visitor and Activity Matrix updated June 10, 2021
• Click the link for the MCCSS Reopening Act Order Renewals
• Click the link for the COVID-19 April, 2021 update from MCCSS
• Click the link for the April 1, 2021 Shutdown Announcement

The Visitor and Temporary “Short Stay” Absences Policy was updated on February 17, 2021.

Please note: This policy might be required to change with little notice

• Step 3 Reopening Ontario-KWH Family and Friends Visitor Guidelines July 16, 2021
• Click the link for the MCCSS guidelines: Re-opening Short Stay Overnight Stays
• Click the link for the MCCSS COVID-19 Wave 2 Congregate Care Notice of Enhanced Precautions Updated February 17, 2021
• Click the link for MCCSS Interim Direction Reopening Updated February 17, 2021
• Click the link for Visitor guidelines. Updated February 17, 2021
• Click the link for MCCSS visitor guidelines: Visitor Guidelines Congregate Living Updated February 17, 2021
• Click the link for a memo from MCCSS regarding MCCSS-funded Transfer Payment Recipients in the
  Developmental Services  January 19, 2021
• Click the link for the MCCSS Province-wide shut down – MCCSS Interim Direction Updated December 23, 2020

On Monday, March 16, 2020, all of our IN-PERSON Day options (ex. The Vibe, The Studio, ADS, LEG Up!, Y.E.P. etc.) closed to all participants. In the months that followed, free and fee for service activities were available online through Zoom.  Sing-along’s have been running three times a week since mid-March, LEG Up! has been providing daily classes, we’ve hosted virtual dance parties and other fun activities online.

In addition, many of our team members have been regularly reaching out to the people we support to ensure that if they had an interest in accessing these activities that they could.  Currently, the Vibe is offering FREE and fee for service classes. LEG Up! our fee for service learning and skill-building program is offering daily online classes.  Click here to access our calendar of events.

Beginning April 19, 2021, all IN-PERSON options are suspended.  This will be reviewed when the state of emergency is lifted and families will be notified.

In March of 2020, the offices at 99 Ottawa Street South were closed to all staff and visitors.  We opened a food hub, where all groceries for our inclusive living homes were sorted and delivered safely.  All meetings and events were cancelled or rescheduled so that they could happen virtually.  The building opened in September to staff, but outside visitors are still meeting with our team members online.

As of April 19, 2021, the offices at 99 Ottawa Street South will be closed to all visitors until further notice.

As much as possible, KW Career Compass has been supporting people with barriers to employment, both in navigating the pandemic, but also in helping find new and exciting employment opportunities.

Our Early Learning Program has never stopped providing supports to children and families.  When child care centres closed down, the RECE’s on our team connected virtually with families and provided supports while everyone was at home.  Now, visits to child care centres have resumed both in person and virtually and our team has found new ways to communicate with parents and educators so that consistent supports are available and children and youth in Waterloo Region can thrive in licensed child care programs.

Our Farm was not able to hold the Wednesday market this summer, but still managed to provide amazing and healthy vegetables to the people we support.  In June, the trails at Our Farm began construction and we were pleased to cut the ribbon this September.  The trail is a great activity for the people we support, as they are accessible, wheelchair friendly, and physical distancing is achievable.

• Getting Ready for your COVID Vaccine (VIDEO)
• Krystal gets her COVID-19 Vaccine (VIDEO)
• ECHO OntarioAdult Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities: Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19
• P4P Planning Network COVID-19 resources
• Tips for Coping with Stress and Anxiety
• Connecting Virtually with Other Families
• Need Someone to Speak With?
• Family Compass Waterloo Region
• Self-Care During COVID-19