Coronavirus

Rebuilding Lives. One step at a time.

How to Support Opportunities Unlimited During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We're grateful for the many individuals who are asking what they can do to support Opportunities Unlimited during this time. Below are a few ideas on how you can say thank you, provide a moral boost for our persons served and staff, and help with needed equipment to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your support!

Donate Supplies

Several cloth face masks have been made and donated. Thank you! We always will accept more, they can be mailed or dropped off to: Opportunities Unlimited - 3439 Glen Oaks Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104

Say Thank You

  • Send a thank you card to our staff.
  • Send a greeting card to our persons served.
  • Purchase a gift card from a local restaurant or grocery store that we can share with our staff members.
  • Send an e-mail to greetings@opportunitiesunlimited.com to pass along some words of encouragement and praise to our staff members.
  • Follow us on Facebook and support our OU Heroes!

Coronavirus Information

The safety of our persons served is of the utmost importance to Opportunities Unlimited. Due to recommendations from our regulating entities and the confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, Opportunities Unlimited is restricting all visitors at this time. Please know we understand how hard this will be on families, but due to CMS regulations and person served safety, it is required at this time to prevent exposure to our very medically fragile population and the staff that care for them at Opportunities Unlimited.

We are no longer able to allow any visitors into our Community Center and residential homes. Only staff or medically necessary personnel will be allowed to enter our buildings. This means family members, friends, volunteers, and vendors will not be allowed in our facilities. We will continue to update our community and family members through e-mail and this dedicated Coronovirus web page.

To make a delivery or contact an employee or person served at Opportunities Unlimited, please call us at 712-277-8295.


Opportunities Unlimited Visitor Restrictions and FAQ

Communication Update as of 4/14/2020

The safety of our persons served is of the utmost importance to Opportunities Unlimited. Due to recommendations from our regulating entities and the confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, Opportunities Unlimited has updated their guest and visitor restrictions.

For the safety of our persons served, NO VISITORS are allowed in Opportunities Unlimited's Community Center.
Only staff or medically necessary personnel will be allowed to enter our buildings. This means family members, friends, and volunteers will not be allowed in our facilities. Some vendors may have access, but only if required for our service delivery.

Why are visitors not allowed in our OU homes?
The safety of our persons served is of the utmost importance to Opportunities Unlimited. Due to recommendations from CMS and regulating entities and the confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, OU has decided to restrict all visitors. Please know we understand how hard this will be on families, but due to regulations and persons served safety, it is required at this time to prevent exposure to our medically fragile population and the staff that care for them at OU.

When will visitor restrictions end?
The visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary. At this time, limiting exposure to our persons served is our top priority. We continue to follow state and local guidelines and restrictions will be in place for the foreseeable future, until guidelines change from regulating authorities.

How do I communicate with my loved one?
We appreciate the importance of family involvement and respect the need to communicate with your loved one. Our team will work together with family members to provide communication options and provide ongoing updates per the family's requests. This may include, but is not limited to: phone calls, Facetime, personal visits outside of the home while respecting social distancing requirements. Families may contact their coordinator/leader to identify the method and communication expectations.

Can persons served leave their home to visit their loved ones?
No, we are restricting time away from OU Homes to spend time with families, friends, and loved ones. To limit exposure of any kind to our persons served, we ask that persons served remain in their OU homes.

Can I take my loved one on an outing, just for the day?
All outings and non-essential medical appointments will be cancelled through the end of April, and perhaps longer pending the guidelines. This is for the safety of our persons served and limiting exposure to COVID-19. Medically necessary appointments will continue as needed.

Can I order food for delivery for my loved one?
Yes, to make a delivery for your loved one, please contact your coordinator/leader to make arrangements. Deliveries will be made to the front door of the home, and staff will take to the kitchen, transfer to a clean plate, and dispose of the box/container.

What if my loved one requires emergent care?
Al always, emergency services will be called, and persons served will be transferred to the hospital as needed. Upon readmission to OU, additional readmission screenings will be implemented for persons served.

How will the No Visitor Policy be communicated?
Communication will be provided by letters or e-mail, provided by the coordinators to families. Updates and changes will also be shared in internal and external communication tools.

Are volunteers at OU restricted?
Yes, volunteers will fall under the visitor category and are not allowed in any of the OU facilities until further notice.

How will staff and medically necessary personnel be screened for safety?
Our leadership team is monitoring this closely and screening tools have and will be implemented for staff and persons served safety. The message to all employees and persons served has been clearly communicated that if they do not feel well, have a fever or show any possible COVID-19 symptoms they are not to come to OU. Prior to each shift or work day, staff must report to the OU Community Center where they will complete a health screen, have their temperature checked, and receive a face mask.

When will community programs (Day Habilitation, Pre-Vocational, etc.) begin again?
Per the proclamation of Governor Reynolds, we will not be participating in community activities through April 30, 2020. This may be extended further, based on guidelines and safety of persons served.

What else is OU doing to prepare for the spread of COVID-19?
This is a rapidly changing situation and is very fluid. Our team continues to meet on a regular basis to update and respond as needed. Contingency plans will be in place if the situation were to change in any way.


Helpful Links:

Centers for Disease Control
Iowa Department of Public Health
World Health Organization