Human First's COVID-19 Response
Day Habilitation Re-Opening Policy
IrA Visitor's Policy (effective 6/26/2020)
Human First, Inc. is now permitting families to visit loved ones in the personal bedrooms and outdoor areas of our residences. By following the guidelines below prior to and during the visit, you help ensure the safety of our residents and staff by limiting the risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other illnesses.
Before Your Visit: (What you should know)
I. Contact the Program Manager to schedule your visit with your loved ones in advance. Visits will be limited on a daily/weekly basis to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
II. Visits will be limited to 2hrs on a given day
- Set Hours: Mon-Fri (5pm- 7pm) Sat & Sun (10am- 5pm)
- During Weekday, residence will allow ONE visit per day
III. Limit 2 visitors per person supported and preferably from the same household, and should be 18 years of age or older
- Visitation is ONLY allowed on premises
- Visits will be limited to personal areas or outside and not throughout the home or in common areas around others
- Visitors MUST sign visitor’s log
IV. Visitors will not be allowed if there are positive cases of COVID and/or quarantined individuals in the residence.
When You Arrive to the Residence:
I. All visitors will be asked the following questions by staff prior to entry into the residence. Note: if you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you will not be allowed entry into the residence.
- Have you traveled outside of the country within the last 14 days?
- Have you traveled to any of the states covered by the NYS COVID-19 travel advisory within the last 14 days?
- Are you feeling sick, do you have a fever or showing signs or symptoms of illness (cough, sneezing, aches and pains, etc.?
- Have you been in contact with or exposed to someone with COVID-19?
II. All visitors will have their temperature checked upon arrival to the residences and prior to entering the home. If your temperature is above 100.0, you will not be permitted entry.
III. Face masks are required in the residence during the entire visit. They will be provided to all visitors upon arrival if they do not have a mask (visitors can wear their own face masks). The visit will not be allowed to continue if the visitor refuses to wear a face mask.
IV. Upon entering, all visitors will be asked to wash their hands and shown where hand sanitizers are available within the residence.
Throughout Your Visit:
I. You will be limited to either the backyard, your loved one’s bedroom and restrooms. Please note that individuals will not be allowed to leave the residence.
II. You will not be permitted to have close contact with any other individual in the residence – your contact will only be permitted with your loved one.
III. Remember to “Stop the Spread” by:
- Avoiding contact with persons who are sick
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Staff should clean all common areas and bathrooms after each visit
IV. All residents and Staff will be advised of all planned visits for the day and how social distancing will be maintained along with Risks and Benefits of the visitors
Risks: Benefits:
*Exposing staff * Getting to see your loved ones
*Exposing Individuals
*Exposing yourselves
Please note that these rules are subject to change at any given time in order to ensure the safety of all the individuals we serve as well as our staff.
Human First’s COVID-19 Response
(UPdated 6/22/2020)
Dear Families and Friends,
We hope you are staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. Human First, Inc continues to evaluate the current circumstances in order to best meet the needs of those we support. We thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout the past few months, as we know adjusting to the new normal has brought with it many changes to all our general routines and daily living. We want to update you on our plans for the upcoming months, as we join with the rest of the region, following the guidance of Governor Cuomo as it relates to re-opening considerations. As we all know, the risk of COVID-19 continues. Thankfully, the cases in the city are reducing, but we have a responsibility to do everything we can to limit anyone’s exposure.
Our Day Program locations remain closed for the time being. Over the past few months, we have worked with you to develop and provide virtual opportunities for everyone to continue to participate in their preferred activities. We are putting together a plan to re-open our centers, with some limitations in accordance with safe practices and social distancing. Over the next few weeks, a Human First staff will be in touch with you to get your feedback on the activities we are offering currently, and your input as we continue to redesign how our services are delivered, and what specifically you want for your family member.
At our residential programs, all staff must have their temperature taken prior to entering our residences and receive Personal Protective Equipment so they remain safe and limit exposure. With the summer approaching, the no visitor policy has been lifted to allow indoor and outdoor visits; provided all visitors wear masks and maintain social distancing. We understand how difficult it was to not have seen your loved one in person for so long, and we are committed to enable you to do so in a safe manner. Included in this letter is our Visitors’ Policy – please read this policy carefully as it explains the guidelines for outdoor visits to our residences. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Our dedicated staff is doing a tremendous job providing supports to your loved ones. As we continue to look to the future, we want to work closely with all of you to plan a safe and meaningful way to support your family member and you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
We continue to wish you and your family well. Please take care and stay safe.
Sincerely,
The Human First Executive Team
Human First’s COVID-19 Response
(Updated 4/16/2020)
In accordance with New York State on Pause, Human First’s day habilitation and administrative locations are closed through April 29, 2020. However, Human First’s staff continue to assist the people we support and families remotely or in-person. If you have any questions, please email info@humanfirst.org. Your inquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate staff member for response.
We continue to follow the guidance and direction of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the NYS Department of Health, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the New York State Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Human First has taken the additional step of cleaning and disinfecting all day habilitation programs during their closure.
Human First’s Residential Programs
Human First’s residential locations are following the best practices for infection control measures. This includes, but is not limited to, the routine cleaning and disinfecting of the residences, and the use of PPE by staff. Further, Human First is required to restrict the visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel during this time. Staff with work with the people we support to facilitate communication with their families and clinicians via video conferencing and phone calls.
Families, care givers, and care managers may contact their residential manager with questions. They can also submit questions to the NYS Department of Health at icp@health.ny.gov, covidadultcareinfo@health.ny.gov, or covidnursinghomeinfo@health.ny.gov.
Federal, State, & Local Government COVID-19 Resources
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
New York State DOH: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
New York City DOH: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities: https://opwdd.ny.gov/
Nassau County: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/4963/COVID-19-INFORMATION
Suffolk County: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Health-Services/Health-Bulletins/Novel-Coronavirus