Workforce Development Aging & Community Services Community & Senior Centers COVID 19 Drive-thru/Contactless Model

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WDACS 14 Community and Senior Centers closed its doors to the public on March 16, 2020. To service our communities, Center staff developed alternatives to accessing services while continuing to practice CDC PPE guidelines by launching drive-thru models and contact free alternatives. WDACS Centers partnered with our Workforce Division by implementing Critical Delivery Services (CDS) to deliver food and other vital items to individuals who are homebound and/or quarantined. A telephone reassurance program was also established to reach out to seniors who now found themselves isolated. Within the first month, there was an increase of 78% of individuals and 81% of family households receiving commodities. Due to the sudden rise in unemployment, families were also struggling to pay their utility bills. Due to the increased demand for services, WDACS Centers have distributed over 2 million pounds of food, assisted with funding to pay electric and gas bills to 943 individuals totaling $146,265.68, and have made 134,822 telephone reassurance calls. Other contactless and socially distanced services include blood drives, Christmas toy distribution, turkey giveaways, Income Tax assistance and services to the homeless.