Two minutes of your day is all we need to ensure the well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and that the supports they rely on aren’t overlooked during the COVID-19 outbreak.   

What to do: Use this email tool to remind Congress that I/DD supports and services are essential lifelines to people with I/DD and their families. 

The Details: Congress is working at breakneck speed to address the unique needs of various populations in our country through three different funding packages, one of which is expected to be focused on health care.We need your voice right now to ask Congress to include I/DD supports, including Home and Community Based Services, in that package.   

The I/DD workforce is already in crisis. These staffing shortages will be significantly exacerbated as Direct Service Providers (DSPs) fall sick or have to tend to loved ones. This is the time for Congress to work on strengthening disability supports through funding for key provisions such as overtime and hazard pay to incentivize DSPs to stay and other workers to join the field.

Most importantly, we need Congress to include I/DD services in any stimulus package to ensure there are supports to return to once the current pandemic subsides. With 700,000 people on states’ waiting lists for services, now is not the time to lose critical capacity.   

Please speak up TODAY for the inclusion of disability supports in any package Congress prepares to address COVID-19 today, to help ensure people with disabilities have the support they need, when they need it the most. 

Thank you for your support and advocacy,

Joseph Cooper, 
Chief Executive Officer 

To our supporters:

Vita Living is committed to protecting the health and well being of our clients and staff. We are closely monitoring COVID-19 through the City of Houston, Harris County officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19, Vita Living is following the recommendations set forth by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and have implemented the following protocols:

• Vita Living’s qualified nursing team is actively monitoring our residents and day center participants for symptoms of COVID-19. As of now, no clients have experienced any related symptoms.
• For the time being, we are closing our day center and canceling all outings beyond our residential homes.
• Our day center staff will operate from our residential homes to provide our clients with fun, interactive activities they would typically participate in while at our day center.
• Routine and follow-up medical appointments have been rescheduled. All Vita Living residential homes have access to staff nurses who treat minor medical issues, administer medications, and communicate with doctors. 
• All individual, group, and corporate volunteer activities have been cancelled.
• Vita Living’s staff has been trained to utilize proper hand washing techniques and to identify COVID-19 symptoms.

We are fortunate our residential homes are equipped with the necessary supplies to support our clients during this time. Those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are at greater risk of being impacted by COVID-19.

We will continue to follow these protocols in an effort to protect those we serve and those who care for them. We will also notify you of any further changes regarding Vita Living, its clients, and events.

Thank you for your continued support of Vita Living.

Joe Cooper