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Tags Posts tagged with "Pandemic"

Pandemic

Resources for ODP Providers Regarding COVID Protocols and Updated Public Health Policies

Message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) distributed the 2021 Health Alert: COVID-19 Safety and Treatment Reminders. This document provides updated guidance and recommendations on procedures in dealing with Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) exposure, infection, quarantine, isolation, and treatment. The PA Department of Health also recently released PA HAN 613 – COVID-19 Treatment Options and the referenced PA HAN 575 – COVID-19 Treatment Options to update the field regarding treatment options.

In the event that infections occur, ODP would also like to remind you that treatment options exist. Speak with your health care provider about treatment if you or someone you support has been diagnosed with COVID-19. If you have questions about this guidance, please call your local health department or 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

ODP recognizes and thanks you for all that you have done and continue to do for the protection of the individuals you support, your staff, and the families of both.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released guidance on the Omnibus COVID-19 health care staff vaccination interim final rule that was published on November 5, 2021. The emergency regulation helps safeguard health care workers and the people they serve from COVID-19 and its variants for all individuals seeking care. This is done by imposing requirements regarding vaccinations for eligible staff at health care facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

This guidance provides important information on implementation as well as guidelines to assess and maintain compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health care workers at facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

This fall, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals announced that it would be conducting a comprehensive campaign across the country to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among direct support professionals. This initiative is part of a cooperative agreement with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During this year-long campaign, NADSP is launching a variety of outreach activities including fact sheets, blogs, podcasts, and the production of public service announcements (PSAs).

In November, NADSP’s Director of Educational Services, John Raffaele, worked with filmmaker Jerry Smith and producer Pete McCauley of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to capture some important and thought-provoking conversations.

This video is the first of many PSAs featuring DSPs, family members, and people receiving supports who shared varying perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination. Uwvie Obodo, a direct support professional at the Center for Family Support  in New York City, shares his experience below.

To learn more about John’s experiences during the first phase of filming, and the new insight he gained into why 26% of DSPs remain unvaccinated, visit the “Read More” section.


COVID-19 Webinars

Since the onset of COVID-19, NADSP has hosted a number of webinars about the pandemic — specifically covering its relationship to the role and responsibilities of direct support professionals.