Disability Scoop (5/12, Giammarise,) reports agencies “that serve individuals with disabilities are facing numerous challenges – both in terms of trying to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep their residents and staff safe – as well as dealing with the emotional hardships of lost routines and being unable to see family in-person, said Carol Ferenz, director of the IDD division at the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association.” The pandemic “is straining what was an already-stressed system of workers and mainly non-profit providers – direct support professionals typically earn low wages and have high job turnover, leading to a number of pre-pandemic vacancies.” State human service officials “say they’re aware the situation has.