COVID-19

Learn how WHS is adjusting services to protect Children, Families, and Employees

General

Awards and Scholarship Banquet Update

Due to COVID-19 and keeping with the government mandates set forth by Governor Whitmer and the Department of Health and Human Services, we are postponing our Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet which was previously scheduled for April 24th, 2020.

We look forward to rescheduling this event in order to honor and celebrate our award winners with all of you. We will continue to update the WHS website and notify you as soon as we are able to secure a new date for the banquet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Stacey Fuller-Karson at 313-236-7713 or Fuller-karsons@wolverinehs.org.

Residential Services

For all current updates, please refer to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding COVID19: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/

May 7, 2020

2020-77 Executive Order

April 30, 2020

2020-59 Executive Order

Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.

April 29, 2020

A Message from Paul Whitney, VP of Residential Programs

The spread of COVID-19 has become a national crisis, and Wolverine Human Services is committed to the continued safety of all clients, families, and staff members. The federal and state governments have issued guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus, and WHS has policies and practices in place that align with these guides.

  1. All WHS locations have implemented pre-screening measures with any individual seeking access in order to limit contact of clients to those that may have been exposed in the community. Only essential personnel are allowed on site and all staff are required to follow the pre-screening protocols including taking temperatures and asking the pre-screen questions:
    1. Is there any reason you have been instructed to self-quarantine or isolate? If yes, why?
    2. Have you had contact with any Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, OR with anyone with confirmed COVID-19?
    3. Do you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g., cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath)?
  2. WHS personnel that visit families in their homes have also implemented the pre-screening protocols. In the instance a family member may have exposed or is showing symptoms, alternate measure may be implemented for regular contact (video conference, phone calls).
  3. WHS has a well-established cleaning and sanitizing policy in place that includes using non-toxic sanitizing solutions in all living and communal areas (ie: restrooms, tables, chairs, door knobs, floors, etc).
  4. WHS stresses the importance of personal hygiene, particularly through hand washing. There is signage hung throughout facilities reminding clients and staff of the correct method for hand washing and the appropriate frequency as well as adherence to appropriate social distancing.
  5. All WHS staff and caregivers are provided proper face masks when entering all facilities.
  6. In the event a client is diagnosed with COVID-19, established quarantine protocols will be followed to keep them separate from others to limit the spread to the rest of the clients in care.

We are following all guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the state government for containment and mitigation of this virus. The situation is constantly changing and evolving, and we know it can be scary to have you child out of your care during such uncertain times. Rest assured, though, that the primary goal of WHS is the health and safety of every client in our care.

 

March 20, 2020

20-037 COVID-19 Response-Child Caring Institutions Sleeping Rooms.pdf

  • MDHHS recognizes that Child Caring Institutions (CCI) may experience a need to designate or make alternate sleeping arrangements for youth residing within their facility.
  • Effective immediately if a CCI experiences a need to temporarily move youth from assigned sleeping rooms to other spaces, including non-traditional sleeping spaces or spaces in other buildings on a facility’s campus, a variance request must be submitted to the Division of Child Welfare Licensing (DCWL) for approval.

20-038 COVID Response-Guidance for Congregate Settings.pdf

  • The attached guidance can assist congregate setting facilities in Michigan with devising strategies to prevent the introduction of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases into the facility, manage known or potential exposures, and prevent widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the facility.

Community Based Services

May 11, 2020

May 01, 2020

COVID-19 PARENT & CAREGIVER GUIDE ›

March 24, 2020

Resources for Caregivers.pdf

  • Helpful resources and tips for caregivers to support the emotional wellbeing of the youth in their care as we continue to face challenges associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

March 20, 2020

20-036 COVID-19 Response-Independent Living Skills Coach Contract and Education Training Voucher Updates (1).pdf

  • The Education and Youth Services Unit is providing updated information and resources for Independent Living (IL) Skills Coach Contractors, the Education Training Voucher (ETV), and participating students.
  • The highest priority is the health and safety of college students being served through the campus-based support programs, the ETV and the staff working with these students.
  • Please see the attached information which provides guidance regarding contacts and other resources.

March 19, 2020

View Caseworker Guidance PDF ›

MDHHS has provided specific protocols regarding face to face contact with our children in care, provider families and relatives.  Please understand that the guidelines below could and will change.  The guidelines also include information regarding various positions and programs within child welfare.  To avoid confusion please make sure to carefully review the entire document and plan to discuss your specific concerns with your WHS Agency Case Manager. (See attachment)

Community Visits

Effective 3/19/20  and in accordance with the DHHS CI – we will stop all non-emergent face to face visits with children, care providers and families in their homes and or community placements/locations until 4/6/20.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

As required we will still respond to all emergency situations, placements and emergent medical needs. When responding we will follow the safety parameters identified by DHHS and the CDC.  

Family Visits

Although visits are suspended – In the event that the treatment team determines that a Face to Face visit must occur we will adhere to the safety guidelines outlined within the DHHS document and CDC guidelines.

Training/Events

We have suspended all Provider Orientation, CPR and Employee training and events.  We are still conducting New Employee Orientation. CWTI has been modified as well. Your supervisory team will provide guidance regarding a CWTI.

Offices

Our offices will remain open.

Employees

June 11, 2020

RETURN TO WORK GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

As Wolverine Human Services continues to work to help Children to be Victors, we must also take steps to ensure the safety of all employees during the Coronavirus pandemic. The following procedures should be followed to make sure that all staff stay healthy and virus free.

MODIFYING THE WORKPLACE

A. PHYSICAL WORKPLACE MODIFICATIONS – WOLVERINE HUMAN SERVICES (WHS) MAY MAKE CHANGES TO EMPLOYEES’ DESKS OR WORKSTATIONS, AND OVERALL FLOOR PLANS. THIS MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Separating desks and workstations to ensure that there is 6 feet between each station
  2. Adding partitions to open floor plans
  3. Closing common spaces, including conference rooms and break rooms
  4. Suggested change to “non secure/security” doors
  5. Posting signage around the facilities to remind employees of social distancing protocols
  6. Establishing contact less drop zones for all deliveries including mail, packages, and food
  7. Visitors and Vendors – please refer to agency procedures

B. WORKPLACE PROTOCOLS – TO KEEP EMPLOYEES SAFE, WHS WILL CHANGE PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON INTERACTIONS AND PHYSICAL CONTACT. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Establishing and enforcing a crowd control plan to ensure that as few employees are in the building at once
  2. Prohibiting in-person meeting (and trainings) whenever possible and encourage the use of virtual meetings (and trainings) instead
  3. Limiting the size of in-person gatherings, meetings (and trainings) to less than 10 people
  4. Encouraging employees to avoid sharing workstations and equipment
  5. Staggering mealtimes and breaks to avoid having large groups of employees together at once
  6. Banning all out of state business travel until further notice

C. EMPLOYEE SCHEDULING – TO MINIMIZE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AT WORK AT ANY GIVEN TIME, CHANGES TO EMPLOYEE SCHEDULING MAY NEED TO BE MADE AND ENFORCED. SOME OF THESE CHANGES MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Permitting only essential employees in the facilities
  2. Encouraging employees who can work remotely to do so
  3. Staggering shifts
  4. Creating groups of employees that are to work together in shifts throughout the pandemic response Disinfecting the Workplace – Before reopening the workplace, WHS should clean and disinfect offices and other areas of the facility. The cleaning process is as follows:

DISINFECTING THE WORKPLACE – BEFORE REOPENING THE WORKPLACE, WHS SHOULD CLEAN AND DISINFECT OFFICES AND OTHER AREAS OF THE FACILITY. THE CLEANING PROCESS IS AS FOLLOWS:

A. WEAR PROPER PPE – DON’T RISK EXPOSURES OR CONTAMINATION WHILE CLEANING. BE SURE TO WEAR PPE, INCLUDING GLOVES AND A MASK, WHILE CLEANING THE WORKSPACE. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, FACE OR MOUTH, OR ANY PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE, WHILE YOU CLEAN.

B. CLEAN FIRST, THEN DISINFECT – DISINFECT WORKS BEST ON ALREADY CLEAN SURFACES. AS SUCH DO A GENERAL CLEANING BEFORE YOU START DISINFECTING THE OFFICE OR BUILDING. GO BEYOND THE STANDARD CLEANING ROUTINE, AND MAKE SURE TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

  1. Entryways and exits
  2. High touch common surfaces (e.g. light switches and plate covers, doors, cabinets, sinks, stair railings, countertops, beverage machines, refrigerators and elevator buttons, if applicable).
  3. Employee workstations
  4. Electronics
  5. Tables, chairs, and desks​

C. DISINFECT ALL SPACES WITH AN EPA-REGISTERED DISINFECTANT – DOUBLE-CHECK THAT THE DISINFECTANT BEING USED IS RATED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS AGENCY AND LISTED ON EPAS LIST
N: DISINFECTANTS FOR USE AGAINST SARS COV-2, THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES COVID-19. DISINFECT ALL POSSIBLE SPACES, FOCUSING ON HIGH TRAFFIC AND COMMONLY TOUCHED SURFACES.

D. REPLACE AIR FILTERS – INCREASING THE VENTILATION AND CHANGING OUT OLD AIR FILTERS CAN HELP PROMOTE WORKPLACE HEALTH.

EMPLOYEE SCREENING, EXPOSURE, AND CONFIRMED ILLNESS PROTOCOL – KEEPING EMPLOYEES SAFE IS A PRIORITY, AND GIVEN THE CONTAGIOUS NATURE OF COVDI-19, SCREENING AND EXPOSURE PROTOCOLS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A. EMPLOYEE SCREENING – IF THE EMPLOYEE IS COMING ON TO SITE STAFF IN CHARGE WILL TAKE EMPLOYEES TEMPERATURES VIA THE INFRARED THERMOMETERS

  • Temperature of 99.5 or more

Yes – Have staff sit down and wait. Re-check in 5 minutes. Proceed to Step 2, if the temperature is below 99.5. If it stays at or above 99.5, leave site and contact HR
No – Proceed to Step 2.

2. Staff in charge will ask, In the past 2 weeks have you had:

  • Fever of 99.5 or over
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing

YES – Leave site and contact HR
NO – Proceed to step #3.

3. Have you had any known contact with someone with COVID-19/Coronavirus? Have you had any contact with someone who may have been exposed to Covid-19/Coronavirus?

YES – Leave site and contact HR
NO – Proceed to site

B. EXPOSURE AND CONFIRMED ILLNESS PROTOCOL – EMPLOYEES WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 OR BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN INFECTED WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND SELF- QUARANTINE. WHEN SELF-QUARANTINING, EMPLOYEES SHOULD:

  1. Stay away from other people in their home as much as possible, staying in a separate room and using a separate bathroom if available.
  2. Not allow visitors
  3. Wear a face mask if they have to be around people
  4. Avoid sharing household items, including drinking cups, eating utensils, towels and bedding.
  5. Clean high-touch surfaces daily
  6. Continue monitoring their symptoms
  7. Staff should not return to work until it has been approved by Human Resources.
  8. When an employee tests positive for COVID-19, deep cleaning procedures will be triggered.

SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES – EMPLOYEES ARE TO FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING BEST PRACTICES THOUGH OUT THE FACILITY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CAFETERIAS, COMMON AREAS AND OFFICE SPACES. SPECIFICALLY ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO:

  1. Stay six feet away from others when working or on breaks. Where a minimum distance cannot be maintained, engineering or administrative controls will be in place.
  2. Avoid job tasks that require face-to-face work with others when possible. If this is unavoidable, employees will be provided with masks, face shields, physical barriers, and other workplace controls to ensure their safety.
  3. Avoid contact with others whenever possible (e.g., handshakes).
  4. Avoid touching their faces.
  5. Avoid touching surfaces that may have been touched by others when possible
  6. Distance themselves from anyone who appears to be sick
  7. Avoid gathering when entering and exiting the facility. Employees should also only enter and exit designated areas.
  8. Follow any posted signage regarding COVID-19 social distancing practices
  9. Disinfect their workspace often
  10. Avoid touching their face
  11. Avoid nonessential gatherings

USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:

THESE ARE THE BEST PRACTICES FOR USE OF PPE WHERE NEEDED AT WHS FACILITES:

A. GLOVES – EMPLOYEES MAY CONTRACT COVID-19 BY TOUCHING CONTAMINATED SURFACES AND THEN TOUCHING THEIR FACE. GLOVES ARE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT COVID-19 FROM GETTING ON AN EMPLOYEE’S SKIN. THEY ARE ALSO A GOOD REMINDER NOT TO TOUCH THEIR FACE.

B. FACE SHIELDS, FACE MASKS, AND EYE PROTECTION – VIRUSES CAN BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE EYES AND MOUTH VIA VIRAL PARTICLES KNOWN AS AEROSOLS. FACE SHIELD, FACE MASKS, AND EYE PROTECTION CAN HELP PROTECT EMPLOYEE FROM THESE PARTICLES.

PERSONAL HYGIENE AND ETIQUETTE:

A. RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE AND HAND HYGIENE – WHS ENCOURAGES GOOD HYGIENE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. THIS INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Providing tissues and no touch disposal receptacles
  2. Providing soap and water in the workplace
  3. Placing hand sanitizers in multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene
  4. Reminding staff not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth

B. STAYING HOME WHEN SICK – WHS ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION IF THEY’RE NOT FEELING WELL AND STAY HOME WHEN THEY’RE SICK OR ARE EXHIBITING COMMON SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 (E.G., FEVER, COUGH, AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH).

March 20, 2020

Resource Parent Letter 3_19_20.pdf

  • Please see the attached letter from Director Chang to caregivers, which was sent electronically on 3/19/20 through various outlets centrally. We wanted to ensure you have a copy of the letter, in the event that you receive questions.

March 19, 2020

All information for employees can be found in the Wolverine Human Services ADP portal: https://workforcenow.adp.com/workforcenow/login.html