Updated Covid 19 Protocols

Carroll County Board of DD

Protocols Due to COVID-19

Effective Until Further Notice

Revised 05/24/2021

Services to our members should remain as normal as possible. Currently and until notified otherwise, the following protocols shall be followed to keep our employees, other agency staff, individuals who receive supports, their families and communities healthy and safe during this time of the COVID-19 crisis. These protocols may be revised at any time and they will be provided to you as they change. Working from home remains the preferred option, unless otherwise assigned. 

If you are ill, it is required that you work from home or use your paid leave.

Facial coverings are encouraged for those employees, other agency staff, individuals who receive supports, their families and communities members who choose to do so. We hope all will honor and respect individual choices. Facial coverings are not required unless you have been exposed and your supervisor requests that you work.

VISITS TO INDIVIDUAL HOMES AND PROVIDER SETTINGS

Should be limited to only essential visits
Shall be done in a virtual manner if possible
Call a day in advance ahead to verify that no one living in the home has COVID-19 like symptoms, been diagnosed or has a similar contagious illness. Ask the following questions:
o   Have you come into close contact with someone who has a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis?

o   Do you have a fever greater than 100.0 or symptoms of lower respiratory illness such as cough, shortness of breath, or difficult breathing?

If yes to any of these questions, reschedule the visit for at least 2 weeks later.
Keep your immediate supervisor informed of all needs to reschedule.
·         CCBDD staff should ask if the individual or setting wants mask worn and observe social distancing guidelines.

It is OK to ask participant(s) to use hand sanitizer.
Limit the number of items you take with you, only take essential items. 
Prior to entering the site use sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizers. 
When leaving the site use sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizer and wipe down all items that you took into the home with Clorox wipes. 
Carry wipes, sanitizer, gloves, and masks in your vehicle.
 

IN PERSON EXTERNAL TRAININGS/MEETINGS

If CCBDD is the host, it should be done in a virtual manner if possible
Should be limited to only essential trainings/meetings
If you are scheduled to attend a training or meeting, contact your immediate supervisor about your participation.
Call and confirm your visit before you travel to a location and ask about their temporary protocols for visitors, meetings and travel.
·         If an in-person meeting CCBDD employees should ask participants if need to wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines.

·         Please get prior approval for any events to be scheduled by CCBDD employees at the County Board office or Carroll Hills School.

OFFICE PROTOCOL

·         Employees may work in the CCBDD office. 

·         Employees shall follow all social distancing guidelines while at the office. 

·         Employees report any sickness that may be COVID including elevated temperature, cough, or trouble breathing. If the employee has a temperature (over 100.0 degrees), they will be required to work from home or use paid leave. Not all employees may work from home. This will be up to the supervisor’s discretion.

·         Employees working in the office shall not congregate in areas for breaks and lunches.

·         Employee should use disposable tableware and other materials.

·         Janitor and maintenance staff will be responsible for the daily cleaning of all workspace.  Janitor and maintenance staff are to wipe down all surfaces that have been touched with disinfectant cleaners at least daily or as recommended. Each employee shall be provided with a bottle of hand sanitizer for their desk area. 

·         Janitor and maintenance staff should clean shared high-touch surfaces after each use such as copiers, postage machine, staplers, pens, etc. 

·         Janitor and maintenance staff should disinfect common areas such as counter, kitchen, and door handle daily.

·         Employees should wash hands regularly throughout the day.

·         Employees that need to visit the office/county board buildings to drop off/pick up items may do so quickly and efficiently. This should occur on a limited basis and employees shall leave as soon as the task is finished.

·         All people entering the CCBDD office (employees and non-employees) are required to sign in and out on the visitor log.  This is required in case contact tracing is needed.

·         If there is a need for visitors to enter the CCBDD building, all protocols of the applicable building shall be followed.  CCBDD will provide masks for visitors and social distancing guidelines shall be maintained.

EMPLOYEE EXPOSURES

·         If an employee has tested positive for COVID-19 the employee will immediately notify Amy Swaim and work from home.  A doctor’s note is required.

·         If an employee is exposed to a person with a positive COVID-19 test, then the Board will follow local Health Department guidelines. These guidelines currently are the staff may work but must wear a KN95 or N95 mask for 10 days and only go to work and home.

·         If the employee was/is exposed by a member of their household who has tested positive, the employee should stay home.

·         Employee should remain home until the requirements for returning to work have been met by the local health department.

EMPLOYEE NOTIFICATION AND QUARANTINE

Amy Swaim will notify employees who were, or may have been, in “close contact” with a diagnosed/affected employee during the past 14 days. Names of the affected employee will not be disclosed.
Employees traveling should report their destinations to their supervisor. Supervisor will make the determination if the staff member will need to work. Employees may be required to wear KN95 or N95 mask for 10 days at work.
 

Fully Vaccinated People Can Do the Following Safely:

·         Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.

Fully Vaccinated Should Continue the Following Precautions:

·         Avoid medium and large in person gatherings;

·         Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms; and

Follow guidance issued by individual employers as well as local, state, and federal health safety requirements.