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We know our participants and staff are concerned about the possible spread of COVID-19. Here’s what we’re doing to keep everyone healthy and safe:

• You’ll see lots of extra cleaning in the building, including in the dining room, on door handles, in counseling rooms, on hand rails, in the computer lab, and in all high-traffic areas.
• We encourage participants and staff to wash their hands multiple times throughout the day, including any time they come in from the outdoors, after groups, and after breaks.
• There are many new hand sanitizer stations throughout the building for participants and staff.
• We encourage all groups to observe social distancing. To make this feasible, groups will meet in larger rooms. Social distancing is also encouraged for one-on-one services.
• For those participants and staff who take public transportation, we also recommend social distancing on buses and streetcars, and using hand sanitizer after touching railings, seats, and bus fares.
• Participants and staff are asked to stay home if they have a high temperature, a cough, or are feeling ill. Reschedule appointments if you are sick.
• We’ll be using conference or video calls for meetings whenever possible, rather than in-person meetings.
• We have created a phone list of participants and staff, and will call everyone if we need to close the facility. (Please be sure we have your correct phone number.) We will also post this information on our social media outlets.
• Our Board of Trustees is developing further guidelines for staff and participants, including need for time off or a break from services.

We are monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to take appropriate steps to minimize our staff and participants’ risk. While much remains uncertain about this outbreak, we want you to know that the well-being and safety of our staff and participants are our top priority and are at the heart of the decisions we must make.

Be sure to check out the ODH’s coronavirus information page, as it is updated with news and guidance as they become available. Also, a public hotline dedicated to coronavirus-related questions is available by calling 1-833-427-5634.

This virus generally spreads between people within six feet of each other, especially from coughing and sneezing. The best way to avoid the virus is to use the following precautions recommended by the CDC:

• Wash your hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. (Twenty seconds is “Happy Birthday” twice, or try one of these songs.) You should especially do so after using the restroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If a member of your household is sick, please stay home.
• Stay home when you are sick. Don’t come to work until you are free of fever (100.4° F or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of medicine.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

Thank you for your help with this process. We understand that we are all uncertain of what will happen next, and that this is nothing that any of us have experienced before. Wishing you and your family health and safety.