Ampersand operations during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 16, 2020
On March 6th, Governor Beshear announced a state of emergency in Kentucky in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and we have been monitoring the evolving situation since that time.
As a result of the guidance issued by the Governor, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department of Public Health, and the Center for Disease Control we have made a few temporary shifts to some of our services to minimize the risk of virus transmission. Starting Monday, March 16, 2020, all Ampersand staff will be working remotely.
All in person events scheduled for March and April have been postponed.
Counseling and Therapy: Survivors currently receiving services can continue receiving services remotely, either by video conferencing or by phone. We encourage survivors who are looking to begin services to submit a request by phone at 859-253-2511 between Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Eastern.
Support Line: Running as usual! You can still reach our advocates for confidential support by phone 24-7 at 859-253-2511 or toll free at 1.800.656.4673.
Medical Advocacy: Survivors at the hospital will have the opportunity to connect with an advocate over the phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Next business day follow-up from a counselor will be provided to any survivor. We are suspending our in-person hospital accompaniment services until further notice. For survivors with questions about the sexual assault exam and evidence collection, you can contact our hotline any time.
Incarcerated Survivor Support: Our hotline is still available to survivors 24/7.
Ampersand wants to remind you to check in on each other during this time, especially if you are worried about someone who has to self-isolate in a dangerous or abusive home. If you are worried, but aren’t sure if someone needs to be checked on, remember that a lot of being an active bystander is just checking in with each other. Don’t forget to call, text, and email your friends! We will get through this by continuing to support one another, and there are many ways to do this from a distance.
It is also important to not allow harmful stereotypes and racist messages to go unchecked. Dehumanizing people is at the root of sexual violence, and it’s part of our work to push back against oppression in all its forms.
And we also want to acknowledge that it’s often people already dealing with many challenges and barriers who face the greatest risk in times like this. Our communities are only as strong as our most vulnerable. Our communities will be stronger if we each follow advice from the CDC: washing our hands, working from home, staying home when we are sick if we can’t work from home, and coughing into tissues or our elbows.”
If you have any questions about Ampersand services during this time, please call our Business line at 859-253-2615 Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm or leave a message after hours.
