Update regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 13, 2020
TO: Individuals served by The Arc of Evansville, as well as families and providers of those served
FROM: Deidra R. Conner, President
SUBJECT: Update regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With the health and well-being of our clients, associates, and staff members in mind, The Arc of Evansville has been closely monitoring the latest information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). With multiple confirmed cases in Indiana we want to reassure providers, clients, and families we are putting measures in place to help prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We want to assure you that we are being vigilant of ongoing updates and are following best practices in conjunction with the recommendations from the CDC and local health authorities. In addition, Governor Eric Holcomb has also released a statement on March 12, 2020 with additional precautionary measures we will be following during this time.

As of March 13, 2020 these are the precautions that The Arc of Evansville has or will be implementing:

  • Teaching proper hand washing techniques to staff, clients, and associates and ensuring that hands are washed on a regular basis;
  • Prompting staff, clients and associates to cough into their elbow or use a tissue and throw it away immediately;
  • Reminding staff, clients, and associates to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Disinfecting “high-touch” surfaces with a bleach solution throughout the day;
  • Limiting non-essential visitors and volunteers to our facilities until March 27, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine if it is necessary to prolong this decision and will be in communication with those visitors and volunteers;
  • Checking temperatures of all clients, staff, and associates before they are allowed to enter the facilities in the morning;
    • Anyone found to have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be quarantined until such time they can be picked up;
  • Community-based activities will continue; however, we will no longer be visiting high traffic areas and large congregate settings;
  • The Day Program will be bringing small groups of individuals into the facility at a time so that we can avoid congregate groups. We ask for patience during arrival and dismissal;
  • We will implement social distancing wherever possible; and
  • We will actively encourage staff who aren’t feeling well to stay home.

We are staying in close contact with local health officials and have complete confidence in these health and medical experts to make recommendations regarding the health of the individuals we serve. Their guidance and advice will play a significant role in any decisions we make. Please understand that our leadership team will continue to monitor this situation and will make adjustments to this plan as necessary to continue to protect the well-being of our staff, clients and associates.