Latest COVID-19 updates
Good Works Farm has taken certain steps to implement protocols for slowing the transmission of COVID-19 mandated or recommended by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Responsible Restart Ohio for Youth Day Camps, the CDC’s Youth Programs and Decision Tool, Green County Department of Public Health and the American Camp Association’s (ACA) extensive COVID-19 Resource Center for Camps (“Public Health Agencies”) which are reflected on notices posted at the Farm.
Good Works Farm is following current recommendations regarding masks, distancing, hand washing, and other recommendations, recognizing the CDC's guidance with regards to masks for the disabled.
Practices put into place following the latest orders from the Ohio Dept. of Health and DODD Adult Day Guidance dated March 17, 2021:
ADULT DAY SUPPORT AND VOCATIONAL HABILITATION SERVICES
Group size cannot exceed 12 individuals, not including staff or employees assisting individuals. Our group size will be no more than 6 individuals to 2-3 staff.
This ratio and cohort must remain together throughout the day, including lunch
Employees are required to wear facial coverings at all times while delivering services
Individuals receiving services are required to wear facial coverings unless an exemption for a medical, functional, or practical reason is documented by the Team in the Individual's person-centered plan (ISP).
Six-foot social distancing must be maintained from other individuals with signage, tape, or by other means
Handwashing or hand sanitizer must be used upon entering and leaving the facility and must be available for use by individuals and staff throughout the day
High touch surfaces must be regularly cleaned and all CDC guidelines for infection prevention must be followed
Facilities shall maintain adequate inventories of PPE, supplies, and equipment
All individuals and employees shall be screened for COVID-19 daily before entering the facility and logged using DODD's symptom monitoring log.
Facilities shall follow CDC protocol in the event an individual or staff develops symptoms or tests positive
Staff assisting individuals with hands-on personal care, medication administration, or assistance eating shall use gloves
Latest guidance from the CDC: Guidance for Operating Youth and Summer Camps During COVID-19, dated April 24, 2021:
An excerpt: Certain groups of people who may find it difficult to wear a mask
Some children 2 years and older, and people of any age with certain disabilities
Appropriate and consistent use of masks may be challenging for some children and for people of any age with certain disabilities, including people who have high sensitivity to materials on their faces, difficulty understanding why wearing a mask is protective (such as those with an intellectual disability), or those who have problems controlling their behavior.
When determining if children and people with certain disabilities should wear a mask, assess their ability to:
Avoid frequent touching of the mask and their face
Limit sucking, drooling, or having excess saliva on the mask
Remove the mask without assistance
Those caring for children and people with certain disabilities who may need assistance with wearing masks should
Ask their healthcare provider for advice about the person you are caring for wearing a mask. If they are unable to wear a mask, ask their healthcare provider about alternative ways of reducing transmission risk
Ensure proper mask size and fit
Remove their mask before sleeping, napping, when they may fall asleep (such as in a car seat or stroller), and in situations when continual supervision is not possible
Consider prioritizing wearing a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, particularly when indoors. Masks may not be necessary when you and the person you are caring for are outside and away from others, or with other people who live in the same household. However, some localities may have mask mandates while out in public and these mandates should always be followed.
Masks should not be worn by:
Child under 2 years of age
A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability
A person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the workplace risk assessment
People who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those who will interact with people who are hearing impaired
If you interact with people who rely on reading lips, you may have difficulty communicating while wearing a mask.
Consider wearing a clear mask or a cloth mask with a clear panel
If you are not able to get a clear mask, consider using written communication, closed captioning, or decreasing background noise to make communication possible while wearing a mask that blocks lips
People with certain underlying medical conditions
Most people with underlying medical conditions can and should wear masks.
If you have respiratory conditions and are concerned about wearing a mask safely, discuss with your healthcare provider the benefits and potential risks of wearing a mask.
If you have asthma, you can wear a mask. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about wearing a mask.
Outdoor workers
If you work in a setting where masks could increase the risk of heat-related illness
COMMUNITY RESPITE/SUMMER DAY CAMP
We are utilizing Responsible Ohio's Camp Guidelines and the CDC's Readiness and Planning Tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among campers.
Staff, campers, and visitors will be screened prior to entry and logged using the DODD's symptom monitoring log
Visitors and volunteers will be extremely limited to only what is necessary
Groups size recommendation of 1 leader to 9 campers will be modified to 2 leaders to 6 campers with the possibility of 2 buddies per group
Cohorts will remain together in their small group throughout the day, including lunch
Groups will remain at least 6 feet apart from other groups
Staff and campers will wash hands upon entering and leaving the camp, after using restroom, after handling animals, and as needed
Campers will continue to pack a lunch and snacks as needed
Bottled water will be available throughout the day
Individual cubbies will be available to store personal belongings
Handwashing and hand sanitizing stations, restrooms, and station materials will be cleaned between groups
As this is an outdoor recreational activity, the use of facial coverings is recommended but not required. PPE will be available for anyone who wishes to use them. Those who feel they may be at higher risk are encouraged to wear a mask. Mask wearing is NOT recommended in high heat environments or by individuals who, because of their disability, cannot wear a mask (see above).
Individuals participating through Community Respite who cannot wear a mask due to medical, functional, or practical reasons should consider adding this exemption to their person-centered plan (ISP). Others may choose to get a doctor's note stating that they cannot wear a mask and the reason.
We will follow CDC protocol in the event an individual or staff develops symptoms or tests positive
Staff assisting individuals with hands-on personal care, medication administration, or assistance eating will use gloves