Attention KADEP, here is a message from our KADEP director, Michelle:
ALSO, please fill out the survey from the link at the bottom, this is an important step for KADEP to open.
Dear KADEP Clients and Families,
We hope you are doing well and continuing to stay safe and healthy.
I have some good news to share! We have received permission from the state to move forward with a safe, limited capacity reopening of KADEP. We are preparing for a reopening day of Wednesday, September 30th. We will be following up with each client and family soon to discuss with you all individually.
In the meantime, I’d like to prepare you for some new operational procedures that we will follow each and every day upon reopening.
All clients will be screened each day prior to entering the building and before their drivers leave them. This screening will involve a few questions about their health. We will ask about symptoms including shortness of breath, a sore throat, cough, fever or chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. And have you been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or do you live with someone with active COVID-19, as well as having their temperature taken. If a client fails this screening, they will not be allowed to enter the building. Please do not send your loved one if you have any concerns about them passing this screening.
At any point in the day, should a client start demonstrating any symptoms, we will follow state health guidelines which may involve measures up to and including closing the program. The client will be isolated and will be sent home. Should their transportation provider refuse to pick them up, you will be required to pick them up within an hour.
Each client and staff will be required to wear a mask all day long. If you or your loved one is incapable of removing the mask on their own, you will be required to sign a restraint acknowledgement form.
KADEP will not have normal programming as we will be operating using a pod system. Pods will be groups of clients and staff who will remain together in one room all day to prevent co-mingling to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Meals will be served in the group rooms as well. These rooms will have increased activities. We will not be setting up a 16 week calendar at this time for clients to register. The restrictions prevent us from switching rooms, having cooking groups, and doing some of our hands on activities. We do not know how long these restrictions will be in place. During this time, we will be offering a variety of activities, and all clients will get an opportunity to participate in each type of activity including crafts, discussion, trivia, games and light work outs.
Due to limitations on the number of people we can have in the building at one time we may not be able to accommodate you for the number of days you had previously attended. We are working to determine how many days and which days we can bring you back at this time. You will receive a separate notification with that information.
We will also be asking clients to limit the number of personal items that they bring back with them. You may bring one bag with necessary items (change of clothes, toiletries, medications, downtime activities). Minimizing additional items in the building will help us reduce potential exposure and avoid extra effort with regard to sanitizing.
While I realize that these may be challenging parameters I do want us to focus on the positives of us being able to get back to together and see one another.
Please be aware that we will be continuing our virtual programming until we reopen, and for some time beyond reopening as well. We hope this will give us the opportunity to see as many of our clients as possible in ways that each of you feel most comfortable with.
Finally, we want to stress that we all have a role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 Therefore, In order to minimize the risk of exposure and the possible need to shut down again, we want to strongly encourage clients and families to keep informed about and comply with state and local guidelines guidelines (i.e. social distancing, wearing of masks, avoiding groups larger than allowed for public gatherings, etc.) at all times, including outside of hours of attendance at KADEP.
Thank you for your cooperation as we try to accommodate the needs of our clients, while prioritizing safety, and adhering to State guidelines.
Sincerely,
Michelle King
Senior KADEP Director
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