AUSTL Reopening June 8th | COVID-19 Procedures

AUSTL will be Reopening to provide services on June 8th!

Staff will report June 1st in order to conduct training and make necessary adjustments and arrangements for the AUSTL Reopening.

  • We will be splitting the program in half, and half will be attending at Page, the other half will attend our new location. Please check your email for details on where to report on the 8th.
  • No one will be allowed to leave their vehicle/enter the building until after their temperature is taken. There will be staff to assist with the parking lot procedures.
  • All visitors must have their temps checked and fill out a short questionnaire before entering the building.
  • There will only be 1 route into the building and that is through the main entrance. We understand that this may be difficult for some folks, however, to maintain everyone’s safety, this is the short term solution we will have to take. Anyone arriving late must be checked
    outside of the building before entering.
  • We have acquired gloves and masks and will have them available to staff. While we will work to ensure that everyone is safe, we understand that not all of our folks will tolerate wearing a mask. For this reason, we are not requiring them to wear masks, but we will encourage them to do so. Staff is welcome to bring and wear their own masks as long as they meet CDC guidelines.
  • A no visitor policy for all non-essential visitors have been implemented and non-essential outings have been canceled. Social distancing is hard on all of us, but we know for the people we serve and their loved ones it can be especially difficult. Please know that we are providing staff with the necessary tools and guidance to best assist the people we serve and their support
    teams through this time with as little disruption or anxiety as possible. We are encouraging the use of video calls to connect and remain focused on engaging those in our care with activities to make sure they continue to socialize, enjoy themselves and work toward their goals, we have iPads onsite and we can accommodate a “virtual visit” upon request.
  • We continue to emphasize the importance of universal precautions and simple but effective prevention measures (handwashing, frequent cleaning/disinfecting, increased monitoring, and reporting of COVID-19 symptoms).
  • Throughout the day staff will disinfect and clean high travel/high use areas. At the end of the day, we will do a thorough cleaning as well as continue to contract with our current cleaning crew to deep clean 3 times a week.
  • If an individual comes down with illness during the day, they will be separated from the group and kept safe and comfortable in a predesignated spot until they leave. In the event that the
    individual shows signs of COVID, they will need medical clearance to come back. Any individual who has been exposed to or tested positive for COVID will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning per CDC guidelines. This applies to staff and
    participants.
  • There will be no new client additions at this time.
  • We will constantly be revisiting this and make necessary changes following the Local Health Dept. and CDC guidelines. We will follow the most stringent guidelines to ensure the safety of all of our staff and participants.

There is no way we can possibly cover all bases in our prep to open. If you have questions, please send them to James Huffman, Program Director at jhuffman@austl.org

We are very appreciative of everybody’s patience during this unprecedented time. We value our partnership with all of you and look forward to starting back up on the 8th.

 

Thanks!
The AUSTL team