This has been a strange time of working remotely with travel restrictions. Not being able to meet with clients face-to-face while trying to develop a relationship is difficult. A phone call is not the same. Calls have been made to VR and pre-VR clients and continuing AgrAbility clients concerning their access to services. VR has put a hold on starting new farm accessibility cases until the governor lifts the restrictions - thus, a time of finalizing cases.
Indiana AgrAbility's rural rehabilitation specialist took part in a Joining Community Forces Indiana zoom meeting. This meeting was an update on over 30 community and military service organizations across Indiana who provide a multitude of services to military veterans. This was a larger than normal meeting due to the restrictions to meeting face-to-face.
Steve Swain, Indiana rural rehabilitation specialist and Purdue Extension specialist, has participated in the weekly Ag and Natural Resources Covid-19 Response zoom calls. These calls are for educators in Indiana to share what is occurring in their areas and to hear what agencies such as the Indiana State Board of Animal Health have been experiencing or anticipating. This includes the responses to the closing of the packing plants.
Submitted by Steve Swain