March 31, 2020

COVID-19: Additional Digital Resources

ROP has released a Public Service Announcement for distribution to our staff and youth, presented by Canyon State Academy Principal, Dr. Barnes. Click here to view the PSA. In addition, age-appropriate resources continue to be provided to inform our youth about COVID-19.

March 27, 2020

COVID-19: Updated Epidemic and Pandemic Plan

The ROP Epidemic and Pandemic Plan was updated specifically to address the COVID-19 virus and to provide staff with clear direction on the appropriate and safest response protocol. This Plan was created through discussion and collaboration with our Medical Authority consultant, Dr. Adler and may be accessed here.

March 25, 2020

COVID-19 RESPONSE: STAKEHOLDER NOTIFICATION

Today, ROP provided COVID-19 related information and updates to each program’s stakeholders through an email communication. The email outlined ROP’s practices and policies as well as introduced our Health Authority, Dr. Paul Alder, who is providing weekly consultation regarding ROP’s medical policies, procedures and best practices.

Please click here for the communication.

March 24, 2020

COVID-19 RESPONSE: Staff Screening

Staff screening tools, which have already been implemented at ROP sites, are now available on this website. All staff shall complete a screen at the single point of entry before being permitted to enter an ROP facility.

Please click here for the screening document.

March 23, 2020

COVID-19 RESPONSE: ROP Operational Best Practices

The ROP Compliance and Operations departments released additional information today regarding operational best practices that shall be implemented at each site to help prevent the virus from entering our programs.

To view the operational best practices, click here.

March 21, 2020

COVID-19 RESPONSE: FAQs FOR STAFF

To provide additional information for ROP staff, the Human Resources departments across ROP created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide regarding COVID-19 specific human resource policies. This document will be updated as new information becomes available.  ROP is committed to providing ongoing updates and information, and encourages all staff and stakeholders to frequently visit this website.

Please access the FAQ document here.

March 20, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Essential Service Provider

Rite of Passage meets the local, state and federal definitions of an essential service ​provider  and our programs will remain open to care for our vulnerable population.  In light of some governments temporarily closing non-essential business and issuing shelter-in-place orders, ROP is providing additional resources and recommendations for staff who must travel to and from work:

• Site leadership will ensure every staff has a current Employee badge/ID to show to authorities if they are questioned in shelter-in-place communities. We encourage staff to wear their ROP badge to identify them​selves as employees of an essential service agency.
• An employee travel letter was created that will be signed by the Program Director or designee to authorize employees to travel to and from work. Each site will be responsible for distributing this letter to employees in shelter-in-place communities.

In addition, an all-staff email was distributed to inform staff of information, resources and updates regarding ROP’s response to COVID-19​, which is also located on our website.

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Resources for Staff

The health and safety of every staff member and every youth is Rite of Passage’s top priority. We are providing regular updates to all staff through email, and are continuing to monitor and implement CDC, state and local health authority recommendations to provide the safest, cleanest and healthiest environment possible so that no staff should worry about being unsafe. We are also complying with all state and licensing regulations and requirements.

ROP’s latest announcements, summarized below, were communicated to all staff in the letter linked here on March 19, 2020. Click here for all updated policies.

• Implementing extra safety measures at all programs and locations including enhanced sanitation of facilities, cleaning schedules, ordering more cleaning supplies, posting CDC Fact Sheets, and actively educating our staff and youth on proper hygiene protocols. (COVID-19 Reference Guide; COVID-19 Fact Sheet)
• Providing training, education and materials to youth and staff based on CDC guidelines and recommendations.
• Successfully negotiated with our supply chains to ensure adequate reserves of food, medicine, sanitation and cleaning supplies.
• Staff Paid Time Off (Policy 100.508) increases the staff annual PTO accrual and provides an opportunity to request a cash-out option up to 50% of their accrued PTO for hardship. Employees may also be eligible for a PTO bank should they become impacted by COVID-19.
• Perfect Attendance Bonuses (Policy 100.306) provides perfect attendance bonuses to direct care and critical post staff who are able to consistently provide supervision, education and care for ROP’s youth.
• Staff who self-identify as high risk for COVID-19 related complications may opt to be excused from work for an extended period of time. Excused absences will follow PTO and Leave of Absence policies. (Extended Leave for High-Risk Employees)
• Visitor Monitoring (Policy 700.120) ensures campuses have a single point of entry and provide a screening instrument for each visitor before allowed on the campus. If accepted on the campus, all visitors shall sign in so that we can track their location.
• Admissions and Monitoring (Policy 700.121) ensures new admissions receive a health clearance from their placing agency or shall receive a vital sign measurement and symptom check by ROP medical staff or designee prior to admission.
• Community Engagement (Policy 700.118) has been curtailed including outings and community services. Home pass policies follow placing agency guidelines. All youth who return from a home pass receive a vital sign measurement and symptom check by ROP medical staff or designee.

March 17, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Keeping Our Youth Informed

Rite of Passage recognizes the importance of keeping the youth in our care informed on the current COVID-19 pandemic, and to equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to keep themselves and others safe, which can also help minimize and relieve some of their fears and anxieties.

ROP staff are keeping our youth informed by meeting with them individually or in small groups to share the information from the documents linked below and to discuss the ways that ROP is keeping them safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19. It is important that the youth know the facts, and understand why there have been, and why there will continue to be, some disruptions/changes to their normal program.

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts-h.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf

Additionally, many of the youth that we work with have experienced high levels of trauma throughout their lives, and we recognize the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach with them during this stressful time. The article, linked below, discusses resilience during a pandemic and provides helpful information on how to take a trauma-informed approach to responding to one another during this time of crisis:  https://originstraining.org/resilience-during-a-pandemic/ 

March 16, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Task Force

Rite of Passage has established a COVID-19 task force comprised of executive committee members, medical experts and consultants that meet daily to share information, address needs, make decisions, and provide resources for staff and programs.

March 13, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Enhanced Safety Measures

Rite of Passage’s leadership team is continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and is working diligently to protect our employees and the youth in our care.

Providing a safe and sanitary program environment is the best way for ROP to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. ROP implemented all-staff messaging through electronic communication providing updates on our established pandemic plan. The established pandemic plan is currently being implemented at all sites and includes enhanced safety and sanitation measures to disinfect facilities, screen visitors, monitor staff and students with flu-like symptoms, reinforce health and hygiene protocols and reduce non-essential interactions with the community-at-large. These protocols are in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and local health authorities.

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), February 2020
• CDC Recommended Guidelines for Long-term Care Facilities
• Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

March 9, 2020

COVID-19 Preparedness

Rite of Passage’s leadership team is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, and is implementing policies and protocols across all of our sites and programs in an effort to keep our staff, youth, and communities safe. We have canceled all non-essential travel company-wide, and are limiting large gatherings, meetings and events. Additionally, our dedicated response team is meeting regularly to implement additional measures in accordance with CDC, WHO and local health authority guidelines and recommendations.

We also encourage all of our staff and stakeholders to stay informed through credible and verified sources such as the CDC and WHO.

• Centers for Disease Control Website
• World Health Organization Website

February 27, 2020

COVID-19 Preparedness: Health and Hygiene Practices

Rite of Passage is committed to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of our staff and the youth in our care. Our team has been monitoring the progress of the COVID-19 outbreak, and will continue to do so. We are emphasizing the importance of health and hygiene practices such as proper hand washing, sneezing/coughing into a tissue or upper sleeve, avoiding close contact with others, and avoiding touching one’s face. Additionally, we are encouraging staff to stay home if they are feeling sick.

• Cover Your Cough Poster
• Hand Washing Poster