How ACRS is supporting communities during the COVID 19 crisis

As we respond to an unprecedented health crisis, ACRS remains committed to the health and wellbeing of our community, clients and staff. As COVID-19 continues to unfold, we are working together with many others as we provide important services and show support, concern and compassion to those who are most directly impacted by COVID-19.

ACRS is applying the most current recommendations and guidelines by the Seattle King County Public Health and Washington State Department of Health. As part of a community-wide effort to slow the outbreak, we are joining others in working remotely and practicing social distancing. Until public health conditions improve, our buildings are closed, but we continue to be open to our community and clients by appointment only. Please call our main line at 206-695-7600 for more information.

During this time, ACRS will be offering essential services to clients arranged by their case manager by phone. ACRS staff have been working to reach clients, providing information in different languages and assessing how we can provide services by appointment or by phone.

ACRS essential services will support clients with acute, critical needs. These services include:

• Appointments for clients, including remote case management and in-person if urgently needed.
• Assessment of new referrals of children and youth via phone and telehealth when urgent.
• Intake appointments for hospital and emergency room discharges.
• Providing injections and urgent psychiatric evaluations.
• Pharmacy mailing for medication refills.
• Substance use disorder assessment/admissions for new referrals.
• Forensic behavioral health treatment services at Community Center for Alternative Programs at the Yesler Building.
• Medication-assisted treatment, recovery services case management and crisis response.
• Emergency food distribution through the ACRS Food Bank and coordinated delivery to older adults with community partners.
• Alternative modes of care coordination for health home clients at all service levels.
• Employment services by phone, including help with applying for unemployment benefits.
• Citizenship application assistance service by phone.
• Limited immigration services, such as green card renewals and naturalization certificates for eligible children.
• Telephone assistance to complete the 2020 Census.

ACRS has implemented a number of ongoing health safety measures, including:

• Screening all clients and staff entering the building for essential services.
• Hand sanitizer in all counseling rooms and throughout the office.
• Providing personal protective equipment to providers.
• On-going deep cleaning of all hard services throughout office hours.
• Weekly sanitizing treatment for all offices.

In the weeks ahead, many members of our communities will experience the negative impacts from COVID-19, facing racism, difficulty accessing critical health care and information, or losing their jobs and income to support their families. This is a crisis unlike any other, and we will need to work together with many others on the frontline of this pandemic as we navigate this uncharted territory. But with the community’s resilience, creativity and positivity, we will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Michael Byun
ACRS Executive Director