March 12, 2020
Dear Lycoming County Children and Youth Resource Parents:
As most of you are aware, COVID-19 is spreading around the world and has been recently labeled as a Pandemic. In an effort to prepare for a potential case in a resource home, Lycoming County Children and Youth wants to remind you of our Pandemic Protocol. The policy is located on page 24 of the 2018 Resource Family Manual. I have also referenced the policy below:
A pandemic is an epidemic that is geographically widespread affecting a significant portion of the population. An epidemic is the widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, with many people being affected at the same time.
If a pandemic is identified, resource parents will be notified regarding the disease identified, including prevention from spreading the disease, health recommendations, and other identified areas of concern.
Resource families are responsible for notifying the Agency (Resource Family Caseworker/Specialized Supervisor/Available Supervisor) immediately if a household member contracts a pandemic disease. This includes foster children as well as any individual residing in the resource home. No new placements will occur in the resource home until all household members are medically cleared. Foster children in placement in an affected resource home will stay in that resource home unless a move is deemed necessary by a medical professional.
Parent/Child visitation will be suspended until medical clearance is received, all missed visits will be rescheduled. Parent/Child phone calls may be scheduled during the period of suspended visitation.
If a household member has been diagnosed, exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, or come in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, it is the Agency’s expectation that the resource family will follow the recommendation of medical providers, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The Agency should be notified immediately of the diagnosis, symptoms, or concern for exposure. If at any point a resource family is required or recommended to quarantine, the Agency will cancel all visitation for foster children in the home, the missed visits will be made up upon medical clearance. The Agency will also postpone any caseworker visits to your home until medical clearance is obtained.
I have attached an informational sheet from the CDC for resource family information. Resource parents may also reference the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov) and the PA Dept. of Health Website (https://www.health.pa.gov) for more information on COVID-19 and recommendations for prevention and care.
The Agency will keep resource families informed of the Agency plans and protocols for COVID-19 as more information is available. We encourage resource families to reference the CDC and PA Dept. of Health websites on a regular basis to obtain up to date information on COVID-19. Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns (570-326-7895, 570-932-1470 or hwood@joinder.org). Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Heather Wood & Matthew Salvatori
Resource Family Caseworker & Assistant Administrator