Update on Changes to Service Delivery Models
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I want to take a moment to thank our incredible staff for rising to the challenge and the call of our extremely important work during this unprecedented time. By continuing to deliver incredible care to our participants, you are providing them with a constant sense of home, family and compassion. I am filled with gratitude and couldn’t be more proud of our CW community. Thank you!
With circumstances surrounding COVID-19 evolving quickly, Creative Works has prepared a comprehensive plan of action to support the health and safety of our participants and staff. In all instances, we are following the recommendations and guidelines provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Maine CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other authorities. We anticipate that this plan will change to reflect updates and guidance from officials as the situation evolves, and I will be communicating with you regularly while COVID-19 remains a risk. Your direct supervisor will be sharing regular information and updates with you, and will be available to answer any questions. We will also be posting frequent updates on our Facebook page and on the home page of our website: www.beingcreativeworks.org
Effective Today, March 16: Enhanced Precautions and Changes to Program Services Models
Beginning today, March 16, we are closing all of our Community Support day programs for a minimum of two weeks. We are taking this action as a precaution, and to limit the exposure of our staff and participants to large group settings. We are prepared to follow State-level decisions about ongoing public schools’ closures as we assess the need to continue to close day programs after the initial two-week period. We will be issuing an FAQ shortly to address staff questions about how to make up their hours, etc.
Also beginning today, March 16, we will be limiting any non-essential trips to residential homes by our Facilities, QA, IT and management teams. Our consulting RN will continue to provide medical support to our more fragile participants.
We will be limiting visits to our homes from members of the public, and will postpone any licensing and audit visits from the State until further notice, as we want to eliminate any unnecessary potential vector for infection from outside our programs.
We have already identified those participants who may be at higher risk because of their age, underlying medical issues, or potentially compromised immune systems. We have been in communication with their families and guardians, and are working with their teams to decide when it may be appropriate to institute more limited community engagement for these individuals, such as restricting activities to essential, emergency and medical appointments for the time being.
No staff meetings of residential staff and managers will be held in congregate face-to-face settings. Instead we will rely on our videoconferencing and teleconferencing capabilities.
All Case Management and Care Coordination Services will be delivered remotely until further notice.
Shared Living providers, most of whom are in rural and more remote locations, have been asked to limit community excursions to essential appointments only for the time being. We have altered our Independent Living service model to limit in-person support and to provide as much phone and video support as possible.
We will continue to provide training and guidance to staff about how to respond if a participant becomes ill, or if a staff person, or a member of their family becomes ill, following all federal and state protocols. Please be on the lookout for more information on this.
Working with Families to Determine Best Home Settings for Residential Participants
We understand that some families may wish to care for their loved one in their family home during this situation. We respect and will support such decisions and will work closely with families through any such transitions.
Ongoing Education about Safety and Prevention Precautions
We want to remind everyone in the Creative Works family of the effectiveness of the CDC health safety precautions in keeping you and those you care for healthy and virus-free:
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often throughout the day (especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing). Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using household cleaning spray or disinfecting wipes.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, then toss the tissue in the trash.
• Practice social distancing and avoid large congregate settings whenever possible.
In the midst of all of this, I want to urge you to visit our new website, which has a new name and url: www.beingcreativeworks.org. With information and news changing rapidly, we will be updating both our website and our Facebook page with important updates and news. Please check them both frequently.
Community becomes all-important during a time like this. Creative Works is blessed with a tight-knit group of exceptional people, displaying genuine care for the people we serve, and for one another. Together, we will forge through this.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Heidi