(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

NEOSS COVID update

NEOSS continues to serve public despite COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 18, 2020 | 10:00 AM

North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) is adjusting to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Director Louise Schweitzer told northeastNOW NEOSS has essential services that assist people with a variety of challenges, including mental well-being, and interpersonal and domestic violence.

“We understand [those challenges] definitely could heighten as people are asked to self-isolate or stay home,” Schweitzer said. “Schools being closed is definitely going to heighten some of those traumas as well.”

Schweitzer said NEOSS has implemented stage one of their pandemic plan. All essential services will be working from home, and the NEOSS office in the Melfort Mall has been closed to the public.

Outreach staff is available, but they won’t be able to do one-on-one in-person contacts. They will be available by phone, as is the walk-in counsellor.

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“Shelter staff, it’s business as usual. We have heightened our cleaning regimes, we’re using universal precautions,” Schweitzer said. “We are currently at this time still accepting clients if they fit the criteria, and our emergency receiving home for foster children as well are still working with the Ministry of Social Services to ensure the safety of the children in our care.”

Schweitzer said recently developing a pandemic plan has offered knowledge for them as a team, and has given some security for staff and clients.

NEOSS has cancelled presentations from their Programs and Administration officer, and they are looking at suspending their trade show expo in April.

As far as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is concerned, Schweitzer said they’re playing it by ear and will see how things develop on a daily and weekly basis.

She said she fully supports the Saskatchewan Health Authority and applauds the first responders, including doctors and nurses, for putting themselves at risk.

The Crisis Line remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-611-6349.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974