It’s difficult not to let stress and worry get the best of us during these uncertain times. And yet, perhaps one of the most reassuring things to consider is that we are all in this together. Family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and communities large and small—we are all facing the same challenges posed by the need to respond effectively to this new health issue. While we cannot spend time physically together, we can continue to lean on each other for support, encouragement, humor and counsel.

Here are a few ideas to help keep anxiety and undue stress at bay:

•   Stay in touch with your support system, and reach out to friends or a family member you haven’t spoken with in a while.  A sense of personal community is invaluable, both to you and those you love. 

•   Limit your news exposure.  Check in daily to stay informed, and then opt for a good book, a classic movie, or even FaceTime with friends.

•   Practice a few moments of relaxation every day:  Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, even gazing out the window listening to the birds welcome the coming of spring is all helpful for stress relief.

•   Stick to the facts about COVID-19, and understand the actual risk to you and your loved ones.  Talk about it to alleviate worries and fears. 

•   Get good sleep, eat well and hydrate.

•   Create a new daily routine.  Structure is good.

•   Discover what brings you joy, and do that.  Encourage this for all of your family members too.

•   Practice gratitude.

There are so many distractions in our busy and hectic modern world. Perhaps this brief moment in time is presenting us with an opportunity to nest and rest, to renew our relationship with people most important to us, and to reaffirm values we hold most dear.  

With thanks, 

Heidi

Dear staff,

Over the last few days, Human Resources has received several calls with questions regarding our sick policy. Naturally, concerns are heightened with the arrival of COVID-19. I would like to take a moment to reach out to you to address some of your concerns.

Many health issues are addressed in our agency sick policy, which covers many common scenarios — generally feeling unwell due to a cold or flu bug, a sprained ankle, or an outpatient procedure. These would all fall under the category of unplanned illness or regular sick time, and would require the use of PTO. You should follow the standard protocols of informing your supervisor of your illness and need to take time from work to mend.

If you are concerned that you have either been exposed to or are feeling symptomatic of COVID-19 — experiencing a dry cough, a fever, shortness of breath (symptoms according to CDC), there are separate steps to take, both to ensure you receive the proper care you require, and notify Creative Works about your exposure.

           • Contact your doctor immediately.

           • Share with your supervisor the recommendations of your physician.

I would also like to remind staff to be sure to take your temperature daily before coming to work. If you have a fever of 100.4 or higher, you must stay home and not return to work for at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Staff who do have a fever are required to report that to their manager.

This is an evolving situation, and we will be providing updates about any policy changes at the state or federal level that may affect you.

With thanks,

Stephen Hawkes

Hello there,

As COVID-19 continues to prompt more extensive travel restrictions, I want to provide some simple guidelines to consider before stepping out into your communities. The CDC has very specific recommendations on community-based travel, which I would like to share with our staff, especially those caring for our participants: 

•   Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

•   Avoid all trains, planes, boats, public transport, and unnecessary travel.

•   Avoid community gatherings of ten people or more people.

•   Attending faith-based services should be suspended until further notice.

•   Sit-down dining is now prohibited in the State of Maine. Delivery, drive-thru or carry-out is fine.

•   Shopping malls, food courts,​ libraries, movie theaters, social clubs or any other places of communal gathering should be avoided.

While these restrictions may seem stringent, it is important to follow them to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, particularly if you will be in close contact with people who are older adults or have severe chronic health conditions. These folks are at higher risk of getting sick.

 With that said, there are many things that can be encouraged and are good for body, mind and spirit: 

•   Get some fresh air!

•   Take walks around your neighborhood, being mindful of maintaining social distance of six feet

•   Turn on some music and dance!

•   Cook, bake or try some new recipes

•   Arts and crafts

•   Board games, cards and other kinds of parlor games

•   Catch up on movies

•  Send notes and letters to friends and loved ones

And, as always, follow the CDC’s recommendations for preventing spread:

•   Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after being out in the community, blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing.

•   Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in your home and car.

•   Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

We appreciate your cooperation with these guidelines, and we appreciate the way you continue to care for our participants as if they were one of your own. We are all in this together, and together we shall prevail.

With thanks,

Matt Hickey

Hello Everyone,

As COVID-19 activity increases in Maine and worldwide, Creative Works is introducing new policies pertaining to symptom-monitoring and recent travel. These policies are created in an effort to protect the health of clients and staff.

As a precautionary measure to prevent transmission of the virus, we are asking that you check your temperature daily before arriving at your worksite. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or 38 degrees Celsius or higher, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cough suppressants), you should not report to work until you are free of fever for at least 24 hours. If you do have a fever, immediately report it to your Manager and/or Director and Jamie Manson in Human Resources.

Watch your inbox for more information about recent travel notification.

We understand that many of you have questions and concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic and how it will affect you, both at work and at home. We will continue to provide information to you as the situation continues to evolve. You can continue to expect additional communications and updates from us about news that affects you, our participants, and your coworkers.

We are glad to be working with you towards ensuring the safety of all members of the Creative Works family.

Stay well, 

Heidi

Good afternoon,

211 Maine is a wonderful resource that helps older people and individuals with disabilities in Maine by providing information about health and human services organizations and agencies. 211 is partnering with the Maine CDC to provide general information with regards to COVID-19.

Please see their website and share with those who might benefit from this enhanced service and get their questions answered. This service is available 24/7 by dialing 211 or 1-866-811-5695. 

With thanks,

Heidi

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