Over the past three and a half months, Disability Network staff have done an outstanding job of staying connected to our customers and community while working remotely from our homes. Following directives from Governor Whitmer’s office and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), we have developed a COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan which outlines processes for a phased-in plan of resuming operations in our offices.
As of July 6, we will be entering Phase Three of the Plan which allows for face-to-face interactions with our customers. While we are very pleased to be making this giant step toward returning to normal operations, we are cautiously taking this step by initiating new protocols and processes for visiting with customers, including:
- Meetings must be scheduled in advance. Walk-ins will not be allowed.
- Customers will be asked to assess their health and any known exposure to a person with COVID-19 in advance of the meeting, which may result in rescheduling the appointment.
- Masks will be worn during face-to-face interactions; Disability Network will provide a mask if needed.
- A minimum 6-foot distance will be maintained between people, and a Plexiglas barrier will be used when available.
- Hand washing and sanitation before and after sessions will be practiced.
- Customers who arrive early for their appointment must wait in their vehicle until their scheduled appointment time.
- In the Kalamazoo office, meetings will take place in the the Community Building; there will be no customer access to the main office building.
During Phase Three of our COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan, Community Education, Peer Support Groups, Advocacy Groups and other group gatherings will continue to happen online via video conferencing.
Disability Network’s management team and Board of Directors will continue to monitor the success of Phase Three and stay informed of the recommendations of the CDC and the status of the spread of Coronavirus in our communities to determine our continued path forward. We look forward to returning to full service operations while ensuring the health and safety of our customers and staff.