January 2021

Proactive Strategies COVID-19 Health and Safety

·      All staff prior to returning to work are health screened over the phone

o   Ask if they have been sick or around anyone who has been sick

·      If staff is cleared they must complete the GROW Program Operations Adjustment training for COVID-19

o   Within the training staff are in serviced on all of the policies, procedures as well as strategies and precautionary measures that are being taken to reduce risk

o   One staff per shift is assigned as the designated cleaner. This staff is not assigned a client and their sole purpose of the shift is to clean and disinfect all surfaces that are touched and any items that are used to complete assignments. This staff receives an additional training on sanitation practices for the program space.

·      If a staff is working and they call off sick this protocol is followed;

o   Staff will be asked what their symptoms are

o   Based on the symptoms the decision will be made whether or not the staff needs a doctors note to return to work

o   If the staff person or a client calls off with symptoms that are common to COVID-19; they will be asked to get tested and to keep the program updated. During this time operations will halt until it has been deemed safe for all to return.

·      All staff and clients have their temperature taken upon arrival

·      Masks and Gloves are provided for all staff and clients. The masks and gloves are required to be worn by staff at all times and are optional for clients due to behavioral and sensory challenges.

·      For all clients and staff handwashing occurs upon arrival, at two designated break times during the day, prior to dismissal and during natural occurrences. Clients who have an aversion to washing their hands will minimally wash upon arrival and before dismissal and hand sanitizer will be used at the other specified handwashing times.

·      The program space has assigned seating arrangements where the client and their 1-1 spend their time while at program. Spaces and /or seats are not shared. The seating arrangements are spaced at a minimum of 6 feet apart and there are no more than 10 people together in the same room at a time.

·      The space is continuously disinfected by the cleaner and undergoes a thorough cleaning in between each session

·      Each client has their own set of supplies to use which are kept in their locker and sanitized after each use. There is no sharing of these items

·      Any item that needs to be used by more than one person during the day will be given to the cleaner and will be disinfected prior to its next use. To assist with this an area has been set up which consists of a table that has two sides; sanitized and not sanitized. When a person is done with an item it is placed on the table in the not sanitized space, this will then be disinfected and transferred to the sanitized space so staff know it is now safe to use.

·      No food sharing is allowed

·      Any items brought into program; this includes supplies are disinfected prior to being brought into the common areas and use

·      Staff are monitoring the 6 feet rule and reminding clients and peers if this is not followed. It is a group effort to ensure all are remembering the social distancing guidelines

·      A hospital grade air purifier runs continuously throughout the day with a secondary one ran at the beginning of the day, between the sessions and at the end of day

·      No one from the outside or staff that has not been screened and in serviced on the GROW program operations adjustment will be allowed in the program space.