Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities COVID-19 Provider Preparedness for Community Day Services (CDS)
REINVENTING ILLINOIS
Illinois continues to reopen through its Restore Illinois phase structure. As of June 26, Illinois is in Phase 4 and working towards Revitalization. At this time, the rate of infection and the number of patients admitted to the hospital continues to decline. While the Division remains optimistic, it also emphasizes that Community Day Services (CDS) can be a vector (path) for the spread of illness if not opened carefully and thoughtfully. It is also important to remember that depending on external factors, such as hospital capacity and appropriate progress through the Restore Illinois Phases, CDS could engender a stricter response or close temporarily again. The DDD does not take the closure of any of its programs lightly. The DDD has worked in conjunction with other states in an effort to have a coordinated response that relies on best practices in very difficult times.
The following conditions should be followed in order for a phased in approach to be successful:
- All employees and individuals must follow "social distancing (6 feet away from others) " and "masking" practices through all phases
- Higher levels of safety precautions specified by the IDPH, CDC, OSHA, and the DDD must be followed through all phases
- Individuals at higher risk must continue to minimize time and contacts outside the household through all phases
DDD GUIDANCE FOR COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES
DDD is providing guidance through a self-assessment approach to assist providers in planning and implementing day services in order to ensure:
- an organization-wide systematic implementation
- support for an individual's needs and choice
- the safety of individuals, families, caregivers and provider staff
- proper training for staff to support individuals as they phase back into services
Providers of Community Day Services should use the self-assessment to prepare for reopening. The DDD anticipates CDS services will look and feel different just as residential services have evolved to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.
This guidance should not be construed as legal advice, as a provider you should consult your legal counsel as necessary.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Not everyone will come back to services at the same time.
Individuals may choose to continue At-Home Day Program. It is important to work closely with individuals, guardians (as applicable) families and ISCs to have conversations about what individuals want as they transition back into their day program. The DDD encourages providers to use the "COVID-19 Risk Benefit Discussion Tool".
Programmatic considerations that will affect whether or not an individual returns to CDS should include individuals, guardians and families' comfort with returning, their changes in preferences, the level of risk for the individual, staffing levels, transportation considerations, ability to tolerate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the CDS provider's and physical site's ability to accommodate social distancing.
Being knowledgeable about risk and adhering changing guidance is critical.
Knowing current guidance is important. Information from Federal, State, and County organizations should be continuously monitored, and updates should be incorporated into your agency's plan.
- Resources from the Illinois Department of Public Health can be found at: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus site is: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. The CDC advises that based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- CDC has recently released COVID-19 guidance with a primary focus on family members and caregivers who support people with developmental disabilities.
- CDC further describes people with disabilities who might be at increased risk of becoming infected or having unrecognized illness.
- Please use the links below to inform your practices:
Providers may need to adapt the checklist to meet the individualized needs and circumstances of their programs and settings.
In addition, providers who support individuals in community settings may have additional guidelines to follow and incorporate, as Federal, State and County guidance change.
Providers are responsible for implementing standards and safeguards to help protect individuals' health and safety.
This tool is informed by the work of the State of Hawaii, Developmental Disabilities Division.
COVID-19 PROVIDER SELF-ASSESSMENT PREPAREDNESS TOOL
INSTRUCTIONS:
All providers of Community Day Services (31U, 31C) must complete the self-assessment for each site they operate (by distinct address).
Read each statement carefully. Check or click the box that best describes the status of each "Item" as it relates to your preparation for phasing in the reopening or resuming of CDS.
Use the "Strategies and Supporting Documents" column to briefly describe or list strategies and include the titles of supporting documents, such as policies and procedures and documentation of training. Supporting documents demonstrate how your agency is addressing each item, include clear procedures for staff training, and frame how the agency will deliver services in a way that ensures consistent implementation and management.
The "Notes/Questions for Agency Use" column is optional.
Questions and/or technical assistance may be requested by email to DHS.BQM@illinois.gov (note: the BQM e-mail address in the document linked below is incorrect, please use this address).
Providers should submit their completed self-assessment tool after all sections have been marked complete to DHS.BQM@illinois.gov (note: the BQM e-mail address in the document linked below is incorrect, please use this address).
COVID-19 PROVIDER SELF-ASSESSMENT PREPAREDNESS TOOL (pdf)
