Author: Gregory Crunican

Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.

This week, look for the following updates:

SUPPORT PEOPLE TAB

• COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
  • The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of July 8th to July 15th, 2021.
  • The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (June 30, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.
  • A new section has been included for the Pilot Locations for Rapid Antigen Testing to include the number of tests that were completed and the results. 
•  COVID-19 Visiting Guide for Locations
  • MCCSS has released additional guidance around visits for people who use services
    • Non-essential indoor visits will be permitted in alignment with the indoor social gathering limits outlined in the Roadmap to Reopen (e.g. five people in Step Two).
    • Overnight absences (essential and general) will be permitted.
      • Upon return, residents will continue to follow the 14-day precautions unless they have received a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72hrs before their return.
•  COVID-19 Visiting Guide for Families and Friends
  • MCCSS has released additional guidance around visits for people who use services
    • Overnight absences (essential and general) will be permitted.
      • Upon return, residents will continue to follow the 14-day precautions unless they have received a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72hrs before their return.
• Rapid Antigen Screening Instructions Ontario 
  • Data Collection Tool in Appendix A has been updated to more closely reflect the data capture in the Weekly Checklist
• Current Travel Parameters for Employees
  • The COVID-19 Travel Parameters document has been updated to reflect new government guidelines for testing and self-isolation that came into effect July 5, 2021.

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING FOR COVID-19

Further to our update last week, we have begun rapid antigen testing at a select number of our pilot locations with the remainder to follow in the coming weeks. A plan to roll out a similar screening program in Saskatchewan is also in the works and continues to progress. For all employees involved in this pilot, thank you.

The Rapid Antigen Screening Training course is now available in the LMS. Employees working in the pilot locations in Ontario can now enroll themselves from the catalog and complete the course at any time. More information to follow via email later today.

For ease of reference, the links to the Instructions and FAQs shared last week can be found below. We have made some minor language consistency updates to the documents.

• Rapid Antigen Screening Instructions 
• Rapid Antigen Screening FAQs 

COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS

There is no webinar this week, to view previously recorded webinars please click here.

There will be a webinar on July 23rd to register click here

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

• Electronic Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
  If you have previously chosen to receive a COVID-19 vaccine but have misplaced your electronic and physical proof of vaccination you can receive a new electronic proof through the Ontario Health site here. You will require your health card number.

Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.

This week, look for the following updates:

SUPPORT PEOPLE TAB

• COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
• The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of June 24 to  July 1, 2021.
• The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (June 23, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.
• COVID-19 Current Activity Restrictions
  • Updated this week to reflect additional guidance released by MCCSS around visiting for direct support locations in Ontario.
• COVID-19 Visiting Guide for Locations
  • No changes have been made to the Visiting Guide
  • A number of inquiries have been made about the requirements after essential overnight visits, please see the Visiting Guide for a complete list of the additional precautions that would be in place for the people who use our services if they are away overnight.
  • At this time there are no changes or exceptions made for people who may be fully vaccinated. This is something that Christian Horizons continues to advocate for with MCCSS.

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING FOR COVID-19

Further to our update last week, we are progressing with setting up Rapid Antigen Screening for COVID-19 at our pilot locations across Ontario. A plan to roll out a similar screening program in Saskatchewan is also in the works and will be shared in the coming weeks. Thank you to all of you for being part of this pilot.

In Ontario we will be going live with the first swabs being completed within the next week.

Rapid Antigen Screening Training course is now available in the LMS. Employees working in the pilot locations in Ontario can now enroll themselves from the catalog and complete the course at any time. More information to follow via email later today.

For ease of reference, the links to the Instructions and FAQs shared last week can be found below. We have made some minor language consistency updates to the documents.

• Rapid Antigen Screening Instructions ON (June 2021)
• Rapid Antigen Screening FAQs (June 2021)

COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS

This weeks webinar will be on Friday June 25th at 2pm click here to register. We will discuss the following topics:

•    Vaccination uptake and reporting
•    Welcoming people who use services back from essential visits when fully vaccinated
•    Information on our Christian Horizons Vaccination Policy
•    Rapid Antigen Test Screening (pilot now happening at Christian Horizons)
•    Specific community breakout meetings to offer further local updates

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

• Electronic Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
  If you have previously chosen to receive a COVID-19 vaccine but have misplaced your electronic and physical proof of vaccination you can receive a new electronic proof through the Ontario Health site here. You will require your health card number.

Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.

This week, look for the following updates:

SUPPORT PEOPLE TAB

• COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
  • The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of May 27th – June 2nd. 
  • The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (May. 19th, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.
• Daily Symptom-Monitoring
  
  • The Daily Symptom Monitoring form has been updated to better reflect our MARs after responding to requests to review and extend the number of days captured on each page of the form.
  • If you would like to see other changes made to resources to improve work flow for documentation please email covid-19@christian-horizons.org
• COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
  • Updated to include additional question and answers from our most recent webinar with Dr. Gautier and Dr. Sankar.

COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS

There is no webinar this week, to view previously recorded webinars please click here

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

If you have previously chosen to receive a COVID-19 vaccine but have misplaced your electronic and physical proof of vaccination you can receive a new electronic proof through the Ontario Health site here. You will require your health card number.

The Women’s College Research Institute is asking for direct support professionals to complete a short survey with regards to COVID-19 vaccines. Additional information is available below, your responses to the survey questions remain anonymous.

All direct support professionals are being invited to complete a brief survey to help us better understand your perspectives and experience. You may have completed a survey in January similar to this one. We are looking to understand what has or has not changed over time, so we are asking all members to complete this brief survey once again.

This survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. All those who complete the survey have the option to enter a draw for one of 5 gift cards for $150.

Click here to access the consent information and the brief survey: https://dfcmutorontoca.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6nY5zAkrX64dslE

The survey is anonymous and voluntary. You will be asked some questions about you so we can understand whether age, role, ethnicity, or other factors are associated with people’s COVID-19 beliefs and experiences.  Data from the survey will only be shared in aggregate, and will not identify individuals in any way.

Thank you for your continued work and dedication, your commitment and tenacity to provide the best service and supports is exceptional!

◊

Questions or suggestions about any of the resources listed on the site?
Send us an email to let us know: covid-19@christian-horizons.org

Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.

This week, look for the following updates:

SUPPORT PEOPLE TAB

• COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
  • The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of May 27th – June 2nd. 
  • The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (May. 19th, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.

There are no resource updates this week, however MCCSS has released direction on visitors for direct support locations in Ontario. With the changing public health guidelines in Ontario MCCSS has stated that all direct support locations will be under enhanced precautions. A detailed list of how this impacts direct support locations can be found in the COVID-19 Current Activity Restrictions. The key points for visiting include:

Essential Visitors (definition within the current activity restrictions document)

• Do not need to schedule an outdoor (or indoor) visit.
• Must pass active screening for COVID-19.
• Must wear surgical/procedure masks and eye protection at all times.

Non-essential visitors:

• Must schedule an outdoor visit.
• Must pass active screening for COVID-19.
• Must wear surgical/procedure masks and eye protection at all times.
• Must maintain physical distance at all times (2 meters/6 feet).
• Must not enter the congregate living setting during visits.
• Visits must be supervised by a staff person.

RAPID TESTING FOR COVID-19

Christian Horizons is working to introduce rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at our direct support locations throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan as another precaution to ensure a safe work and support environment. A rapid antigen test for COVID-19 is a self administered nares swab (not a deep nasal swab), with observation from a trained user, that produces results within 15 minutes.  If someone were to test positive for COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test a confirmation test from a COVID-19 testing location would need to be completed afterwards.

Rapid antigen tests are only completed on people who are asymptomatic. If someone were to present and during screening state they have symptoms of COVID-19 a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from a testing location would need to be completed to confirm if a COVID-19 infection is present or not.

The completion of a rapid antigen test does not replace the need for current infection prevention and control practices but adds another layer of protection for employees and the people who use our services.

This week we have been working with our Ministry partners in Ontario and Saskatchewan to outline the training requirements for employees to complete rapid testing. We have also identified a number of pilot locations across all districts to begin rapid antigen testing in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS

There is no webinar this week, to view previously recorded webinars please click here

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

The Women’s College Research Institute is asking for direct support professionals to complete a short survey with regards to COVID-19 vaccines. Additional information is available below, your responses to the survey questions remain anonymous.

All direct support professionals are being invited to complete a brief survey to help us better understand your perspectives and experience. You may have completed a survey in January similar to this one. We are looking to understand what has or has not changed over time, so we are asking all members to complete this brief survey once again.

This survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. All those who complete the survey have the option to enter a draw for one of 5 gift cards for $150.

Click here to access the consent information and the brief survey: https://dfcmutorontoca.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6nY5zAkrX64dslE

The survey is anonymous and voluntary. You will be asked some questions about you so we can understand whether age, role, ethnicity, or other factors are associated with people’s COVID-19 beliefs and experiences.  Data from the survey will only be shared in aggregate, and will not identify individuals in any way.

Thank you for your continued work and dedication, your commitment and tenacity to provide the best service and supports is exceptional!

◊

Questions or suggestions about any of the resources listed on the site?
Send us an email to let us know: covid-19@christian-horizons.org

Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.

This week, look for the following updates:

SUPPORT PEOPLE TAB

• COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
  • The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of May 6th to May 13th. 
  • The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (Apr. 7th, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.
• Supervisor Audit Tool During COVID-19
  • Updated to a word document to allow for editing when needed at each location.
• Flowchart for Guidance on COVID-19 Exposure for Employees.
  • Update to wording around isolation follow a positive test result to align with the Exposure Attendance and Testing Guide.

RAPID TESTING FOR COVID-19

Christian Horizons is working to introduce rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at our direct support locations throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan as another precaution to ensure a safe work environment. A rapid antigen test for COVID-19 is a self administered nares swab (not a deep nasal swab), with observation from a trained user, that produces results within 15 minutes.  If someone were to test positive for COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test a confirmation test from a COVID-19 testing location would need to be completed afterwards.

Rapid antigen tests are only completed on individuals who are asymptomatic. If someone were to present and during screening state they have symptoms of COVID-19 a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from a testing location would need to be completed to confirm if a COVID-19 infection is present or not.

The completion of a rapid antigen test does not replace the need for current infection prevention and control practices but adds another layer of protection for employees and the people who use our services.

This week MCCSS approved our expression of interest bringing us one step closer to be able to make rapid testing available in Ontario. Similarly, we are quickly progressing through the steps to receive access to the rapid tests in Saskatchewan.

COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS

There is no webinar scheduled for this week, to view previous webinars please click here. For additional COVID-19 resources, including plan language resources for people who use our services click here.

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

Starting on May 6th in Ontario anyone with an intellectual or developmental disability and their caregivers will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by registering under “High Risk Health Conditions”. ConnectAbility has produced a number of plain language resources and videos to help answer questions which can be found here

Thank you for your continued work and dedication, your commitment and tenacity to provide the best service and supports is exceptional!

◊

Questions or suggestions about any of the resources listed on the site?
Send us an email to let us know: covid-19@christian-horizons.org

Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.

This week, look for the following updates:

SUPPORT PEOPLE TAB

• COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
  • The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of April 29th to May 6th. 
  • The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (Apr. 7th, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.
• Supervisor Audit Tool During COVID-19
  • The supervisory audit tool has been made available for program manager to document that continued supervising and instruction is being completed for IPAC processes during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Supervision and instruction is an ongoing process and important to ensure the safety of the people who use our services and employees.
  • The audit tool can be adjusted to be relevant for each programs unique situation.
  • Completed audit tools can be stored in the Inspections & Assessment Reports folder or another folder that can be readily accessible for Ministry Inspections.
• COVID-19 Exposure Attendance and Testing Guide 
  • Scenario for employees who fail screening due to symptoms and then have a negative test result.
• Flowchart for Guidance on COVID-19 Exposure for People Supported.
  • No edits only the addition of a revision date.
• Flowchart for Guidance on COVID-19 Exposure for Employees.
  • No edits only the addition of a revision date.

RAPID TESTING FOR COVID-19

Christian Horizons is working to introduce rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at our direct support locations throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan as another precaution to ensure a safe work environment. A rapid antigen test for COVID-19 is a self administered nares swab (not a deep nasal swab), with observation from a trained user, that produces results within 15 minutes.  If someone were to test positive for COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test a confirmation test from a COVID-19 testing location would need to be completed afterwards.

Rapid antigen tests are only completed on individuals who are asymptomatic. If someone were to present and during screening state they have symptoms of COVID-19 a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from a testing location would need to be completed to confirm if a COVID-19 infection is present or not.

The completion of a rapid antigen test does not replace the need for current infection prevention and control practices but adds another layer of protection for employees and the people who use our services.

This week MCCSS approved our expression of interest bringing us one step closer to be able to make rapid testing available in Ontario. Similarly, we are quickly progressing through the steps to receive access to the rapid tests in Saskatchewan.

COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS

There is no webinar scheduled for this week, to view previous webinars please click here. For additional COVID-19 resources, including plan language resources for people who use our services click here.

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

An excellent plain language video from P4P Planning Network about Getting Ready for your COVID Vaccine can be found here.

Thank you for your continued work and dedication, your commitment and tenacity to provide the best service and supports is exceptional!

◊

Questions or suggestions about any of the resources listed on the site?
Send us an email to let us know: covid-19@christian-horizons.org