Township Updates for September 1, 2020
Oak Park Township Updates - Effective September 1, 2020
Safety Guidelines in Place; Planning for Reopening to Public Continues
Oak Park Township is currently still closed to the public, and most of our staff are working remotely. We can be reached by telephone and we offer assistance for residents via telephone and telehealth appointments. We continue to provide nutrition services for older adults with home delivery and drive-through meal pick-up. Transportation to dialysis or medical appointments is also available. Limited services, like notarizing documents, are being done in our parking lot, with social distancing guidelines in place. Voter registration forms are available upon request or by mail. When the local levels of infection stabilize at a lower rate, we will begin finalizing Visitor Protocols.
In preparation for gradually opening our offices to the public, the Township Board of Trustees agreed on several guidelines during the August 18, 2020 meeting. We view safety as a top priority and have taken precautions to ensure that our workplaces and processes are as safe as they can be for employees and visitors alike as we respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. We have made changes to our physical space, updated policies and procedures, and put new processes in place.
Home Delivered Meals and “Take Out” Meal Distribution
Older adults who have requested meals are receiving them every other week in the form of frozen nutritionally balanced meals. We are also providing “take out” lunches to older adults who are able to pick them up at our Senior Services building. With the help of staff and pre-screened volunteers, we are limiting face-to-face contact with others out of health concerns for everyone. During September, meal distribution will be September 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. For detailed guidelines, please see our Senior Services webpage at https://oakparktownship.org/senior-services/ or call 708-383-8060.
Partnerships and Monitoring
We have worked diligently with our partners from the Villages of Oak Park and River Forest, local public health departments, AgeOptions, and the Illinois Department on Aging to ensure continuity of service during this time and offer additional information and supports when necessary. We continue to monitor developments of COVID-19 and develop internal preparedness plans which are being implemented to provide for continued assistance to residents in the community during this unprecedented time.
As the state moves towards reopening fully, the Township is keeping in mind the needs of the populations we serve and the guidance from the state and federal agencies, local authorities and our funders to ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers, and clients. We will gradually allow the public to access services in- person. To find a COVID-19 testing site near you, please visit https://www.test-illinois.com/.
For further assistance with Township services, please call the Administrative offices at 708-383-8005, Senior Services Center at 708-383-8060, Senior Services Transportation at 708-383-4806, Youth Services at 708-445-2727 or the Community Mental Health Board at 708-358-8855. Thank you for your patience and understanding.