** last updated May 4, 2020 **

IS FAMILY HOUSE OPEN?

No, not right now. Family House, in coordination with our partner in mission, UNC Health, has made the difficult decision to temporarily close effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Please read more about the decision to safeguard our community's health through temporary closure on our website here. This has been a tough decision to make, but a responsible and necessary one, to prevent COVID-19 from entering our facility. The outcome of viral transmission in a communal living situation comprised of immune-compromised guests would result in devestating outcomes.

For patients and caregivers: your clinical team may deem it safer for you to remain at home than it is to travel to Chapel Hill for your previously scheduled medical appointment; please check with your health care provider to see if your appointment has been cancelled.

Based on the increasing number of hospital visit and admission cancellations at UNC Health, Family House occupancy had dramatically decreased during March 2020. Our staff helped find and coordinate alternate accomodations for the few remaining patients and caregivers who vacated the House in time for our April 1 closing.

Thank you for your understanding. If you have questions or would like to stay in touch, please send your message to our Executive Director Janice McAdams at jmcadams@secufamilyhouse.org. 

ARE VOLUNTEERS STILL WORKING AT FAMILY HOUSE?

No. Pet therapy, meal providing, and other volunteer activities have been discontinued in order to prevent COVID-19 from infecting anyone, including volunteers themselves. Please contact Georgie Clemens (georgie@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8009) or Aimee Jones (aimee@secufamilyhouse.org or 919.932.8092) with questions.

For volunteers: we miss you and would like to stay connected with you! Please see our Virtual Community Page for details. If you're not currently receiving Georgie's Wednesday email updates going out to our volunteers, please request to be added to the listserv by emailing her at georgie@secufamilyhouse.org.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Thank you for thinking of others during this uncertain time! Your donation, big or small, is the best way for you to support or mission from afar. As you know, we will open the new building later this year to serve nearly double the number of guests we can usually serve. Your gift ensures our operational success when we operate all 70 guest rooms. Thanks again!

FOR THOSE WHO MUST ENTER THE FACILITY, WHAT IS THE SCREENING QUESTION?

Although Family House is not open to volunteers, guests, non-essential staff, or anyone else non-essential, the House remains operational, with utilities still running and maintenance happening just as they do when you leave your own home on vacation. Construction on the new building, where our new guest rooms will be, continues as well. This means delivery, construction, and essential staff will still access our facility as needed.

To limit transmission, we're monitoring the status of anyone who must enter the building. The screening question is: Do you have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or other respiratory symptom? If the answer is yes - no matter who you are - you are NOT permitted into the House.

WHAT IS THE ALERT PROTOCAL FOR COVID-19 AT THE HOUSE?

Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 must alert the House Manager, self-quarantine, and call the UNC COVID Hotline for additional screening and guidance at 1-888-850-2684. Symptoms to note include having a fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath.

You can find up-to-date information about novel coronovirus on UNC Health's dedicated webpage.

ARE COMMUNITY GROUPS STILL ALLOWED TO USE THE BOARD ROOM OR COMMUNITY SPACES AT FAMILY HOUSE?

No. Family House is temporarily closed. Until further notice, we must unfortunately limit building entrants to essential personnel.

WHO CAN ANSWER MORE QUESTIONS?

Contact Family House staff with any questions:
Director of House Operations Jan Ross: Janice@secufamilyhouse.org
Executive Director Janice McAdams: Jmcadams@secufamilyhouse.org