STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Day programs, home visits, and community outings for individuals with disabilities will be able to resume in Phase 4, according to new guidance from the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
On March 24, OPWDD issued a health advisory that temporarily suspended all community outings and home visits for residents living in OPWDD operated or certified residential facilities. The health advisory is now rescinded and replaced with the new guidance which is effective July 15 for regions that have entered into Phase 4 of New York’s reopening plan.
The statewide PAUSE, an executive order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that banned all but essential business in New York since March 22, expired in May -- but the regional approach to reopening means that restrictions across the state are being lifted in phases, with some areas opening before others.
The reopening plan consists of four phases, and in each phase, different restrictions will be lifted if a region qualifies. New York City entered Phase 3 on July 6, and could enter Phase 4 as soon as on July 20. The exact date for Phase 4 in NYC has yet to be announced by Cuomo.
Here’s a look at the guidance for day programs, home visits and community outings.
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DAY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
According to the guidance for OPWDD’s certified day programs and services, both site and community based -- including Day Habilitations, Prevocational Services, Sheltered Workshops, Day Treatment, and Respite -- can resume operations in Phase 4.
Programs can reopen as long as they meet the minimum federal and state requirements. All day programs must develop a safety plan for reopening. All staff and individuals must be screened prior to entry into the day program site and monitored for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
At least 6-feet of physical distance should be maintained among individuals and staff, unless safety of the core activity or an individual’s treatment plan requires a shorter distance. All staff must wear an appropriate face mask or covering at all times at work. Individuals receiving services must wear face coverings if they can medically tolerate one whenever social distancing can’t be achieved.
Sanitizing and disinfecting protocols should be followed. Day programs should limit use of shared objects/equipment and sanitize after each use. Programs should also provide and maintain hand hygiene stations throughout the location.
The guidance said that initially day program capacity should be prioritized for individuals who are best served onsite due to specific clinical needs.
You can go here for additional guidance on day programs.
HOME VISITS
Home visits may recommence for individuals living within OPWDD certified residential facilities, according to the guidance.
Individuals may resume participation in home and family visits will all appropriate risk mitigation strategies in place, including safe social distancing, use of masks or other face coverings when tolerated, meticulous attention to hand washing, and proper cleaning and disinfection.
Families should be reminded that during any off-site visit, exposure to members of different households and to public places, in general, should be done with caution and on a limited basis.
Individuals can participate in home or family visits as long as the individual isn’t suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 and isn’t under quarantine; the individual passes a health screen and temperature prior to leaving the certified residence; the individual washes their hands prior to their departure and return to the residence; and the location of the visit doesn’t have anyone suspected, confirmed or exposed to COVID-19.
To track and trace any potential coronavirus exposure, providers are required to maintain a daily log of all home visits and other visits off-site from the certified residence.
You can go here for more guidance on home visits.
COMMUNITY OUTINGS
Community outings may resume for individuals living within OPWDD certified residential facilities. According to the guidance, individuals may resume low-risk activities, such as going to medical or professional service appointments and work, and participating in community-based outings.
Individuals shouldn’t participate if they are suspected or confirmed positive for COVID-19, or had close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 individual.
The number of people permitted in a community outing should be within the discretion of the facility, but should be as small as possible. Low risk, outdoor activities are encouraged whenever possible, and community outings to stores, outdoor restaurants, salons, and other similar locations should be extremely limited in frequency and duration, and must abide by the capacity limitations of such locations.
Planned recreational community outings should be limited to one location per day for any individual participating. When planning outings, staff should be aware of various capacity restrictions for businesses and should consider calling ahead, where possible, to ensure group size can be accommodated.
Hands should be washed/sanitized immediately prior to leaving the home and immediately upon return to the home. Staff must bring hand sanitizer and ensure all individuals are washing or sanitizing hands throughout the community outings.
Social distancing should be adhered to, to the greatest extent possible. Face coverings shall be brought to public outings and individuals must be encouraged to wear them at all times. Everyone who is medically able to tolerate a mask must wear one when unable to maintain social distancing.
You can go here for additional information on community outings.
INDIVIDUALS RETURNING TO RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
Additionally, the OPWDD provided guidance to individuals who were on a home visit during the implementation of the March 24 guidance, and now want to return to the residential facility.
In the 14 days before the individual’s return, the residential facility must have no known or suspected cases of COVID-19. The individual must also have not knowingly been in close contact in the past 14 days with anyone who was positive for COVID-19 or has or had symptoms. The individual should also have not displayed any symptoms of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to their return.
Facilities should observe returning residents for signs and symptoms of illness for 14 days after return to the residential facility, according to the guidance.
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