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Lynn Family and Children’s Services to close amid COVID-19 concerns
By Steve Krause | March 19, 2020
Family and Children’s Service will close its Lynn and Chelsea offices to the general public until further notice.
FCS’ Lynn office is on 111 North Common St.
“Over the past week, Family & Children’s Service has paid close attention to concerns regarding the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19,” said executive director Maroli Licardie. “Our priority has been to keep our staff and program participants safe and healthy.
“Following Massachusetts and national guidelines, we have educated our program participants on proper hygiene and prevention strategies and, as a staff, we are promoting and practicing social distancing. We have also made the decision to suspend our parenting education programs, support groups, youth services programs, and face-to-face home visiting services.”
Family & Children’s Service will keep a small group of administrative staff will be on-site daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This schedule may change as the situation evolves, Licardie said.
“We have implemented new procedures to ensure that we continue to provide some level of service to our program participants, many of whom are vulnerable and socially isolated,” she said. “Our direct service staff will be working from home and using technology to support our program participants via telephone check-ins and virtual home visiting. They will also of course provide information and referrals. Our youth services team is working closely with students to help them access technology and resources so that they can still fulfill their academic responsibilities.”