Liberty, NY – After careful deliberations, Sullivan County Public Health Services has notified providers that all Early Intervention (EI) and Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) direct/face-to-face services are suspended until further notice. Families will be notified as well.
“We realize this is a hardship on our providers and the families they serve, but we believe this decision is in their best interests, given the increasing rate of community transmission of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Sullivan County and surrounding counties,” Public Health Director Nancy McGraw stated. “As of today Sullivan County reported 49 cases of COVID-19.”
EI telehealth services can continue until April 6, per State guidance. However, the NYS Education Department indicated that telehealth is not approved for CPSE at this time.
McGraw also announced today that the Sullivan County WIC (Women, Infants and Children) offices in Liberty and Monticello are no longer open to the public, though they continue to accept calls and emails.
“While we want to protect our staff from COVID-19 transmission, we also want to continue providing benefits and vital nutrition services to families receiving WIC services, including breastfeeding support which will be conducted by phone,” McGraw stated. “Families will continue to have access to our staff at their scheduled appointment times via phone and can call the office with questions at 845-513-2233.”
“Please know we appreciate everyone’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of not only our providers and the families they treat but the Sullivan County community as well,” McGraw added. “For updates and information on the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.health.ny.gov/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.”