Coronavirus Information
COVID-19

CIP has created a Six Point Plan for Health & Safety, a framework for addressing the evolving needs of COVID-19 within our educational setting to ensure the highest level of safety and health exist within our CIP communities. The following contains the six points, a goal statement, and bulleted examples of new processes, tools, and guidelines.

1. Student Health & Hygiene

Goal: To help ensure students understand and practice key health and hygiene practices specific to COVID-19 and related diseases and to ensure a level of appropriate self-care is followed if experiencing symptoms or illness.

• Required educational modules for students specific to understanding COVID-19; for practicing important health and hygiene; for effective self-advocacy, self-disclosure, and social etiquette; and to review new policies and expectations for both students and staff
• Daily Self-Health Attestation process completed and passed by all students in the AM prior to any in-person services
• CIP requires all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have an approved religious or medical exemption
• COVID-19 Community Guidelines to reinforce student responsibilities to themselves, each other, and the local community
• Posted instructional signage in student housing and offices
• Required cleaning and health supplies in student housing such as personal thermometers, sanitizer, disinfectant, face masks, and latex gloves for cleaning
• Student technology onboarding and support for email and Zoom video conferencing use when in-person services are not available 

2. Staff COVID-19 Education & Response

Goal: To train staff members in best practices related to the prevention of COVID-19 and to provide support for students in following related health and hygiene practices.

• Required staff educational COVID-19 training modules for all employees
• Required staff health and safety requirements such as daily self-health attestation, handwashing, use of face masks, and social distancing protocols
• Limitations to the use of shared spaces and equipment for all office and settings when applicable
• CIP requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have an approved religious or medical exemption

3. Administrative & Student Services Protocols

Goal: To adapt and modify CIP’s physical settings, staffing structure, student programming, services, and supporting activities in order to retain our focus on student learning and engagement while providing a safe and healthy environment.

Administrative

• External COVID-19 guidance, regulations, and trends are frequently reviewed on a national and local level
• Updated visitor and guest policies limiting group size and visitor frequency, requiring self-health attestation for all on-site visitors
• Instructional signage in offices posted for capacity limitations per room, social distancing, face mask, and handwashing requirements
• Daily cleaning and sanitizing of office space and vehicles
• Coordination with external property management for buildings and grounds 

Service-Related

• Adapted New Student Orientation process based on COVID-19 guidelines with a focus on COVID-19 health and safety training
• Stayover options (approved on a case-by-case basis) during scheduled non-programming times for CIP students. This helps to prevent unnecessary travel and takes into consideration the health needs of not just students but their families as well. During CIP’s Stayover periods, students can remain within student housing and retain focus on independent living and socialization while being provided limited in-person and remote support for items such as cooking, cleaning, AM/PM checks, and on-call phone support
• Group size limitations based on current CDC, state, and local guidance
• Staggered services and times within offices and classrooms, when applicable
• Use of outdoor spaces for instruction and leisure, when appropriate

4. Collaboration with Federal, State, & Local Health Officials

Goal: To obtain expert guidance on an ongoing basis related to local community trends and resources and assistance in guiding CIP’s plans and decision making.

• Continued local and state health department communication and collaboration 
• Regional Center and DDS administration communication and collaboration (California Centers)
• Continual review of CDC guidance for Higher Education, Schools, Businesses, and Shared Living settings

5. Contingency Plans

Goal: To clearly outline additional scenarios, triggering events, and related action plans in the case of serious business and/or program disruptions (such as discontinuation of on-site and in-residence services) specific to COVID-19 and related communicable diseases.

• Contingency planning and response team in consultation with state and local health departments
• Service continuity plans include remote (online) service protocols utilizing video conferencing technology and adaptable hybrid service model for limiting in-person modules, if the need arises

6. Communication Practices

Goal: To continue to review and revise internal and external communication practices and related communication channels as needed ensuring all parties continue to coordinate and stay informed on a timely basis.

• Internal National Office and Center coordination and communications no less than weekly to discuss and support programmatic adaptations and quality of services
• Weekly Center department head meetings for staff communication and Student Forum for student communication
• Timely family and student communications regarding any changes or updates to programming and plans including emergency text services
• Family educational sessions as needed