July 2020 - Communitas

The following Day Service Protocols are in place to maintain safety in Day Programming amidst Covid-19.

Last Updated 7/24/2020

Before returning to program, it is important that parents and guardians are aware of the new procedures in Day Services during Covid-19. Please read these documents by clicking on the PDF format or Download the protocols listed below. For additional questions or concerns please speak to your Day Program Director.

Acknowledgement of Risk: Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus

Before returning to Day Program, Participants / Guardians must read and sign this Acknowledgement of Risk form. This form is an acknowledgement of the risks and responsibilities of each individual and guardian upon returning to Day Programming. This form includes an agreement to monitor health on a daily basis and follow guidelines for safe practices recommended by the CDC.

If you have not received a copy of this form from your Day Program, please fill out the provided form below and return to your Day Program Director.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Acknowledgement of Risk Form” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Acknowledgement of Risk Form Download

Participant Protocol and Reopening Plan

Detailed in this Day Service protocol are procedures necessary to provide a safe environment for program participants who are interested in returning to Day Program. These detailed procedures include specifics on Program Arrival, routine temperature checks and cleaning procedures.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Participant Protocol and Reopening Plan” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Participant Protocol and Reopening Plan Download

Plan for Identifying and Addressing Risk

Communitas is taking extra precaution to protect the health and wellbeing of both staff and individuals. These precautions include, but are not limited to; daily screening checks, location of screening activities, staff responsible for screening, and anticipated barriers to the accomplishment of screening.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Plan for Identifying and Addressing Risk” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Plan for Identifying and Addressing Risk Download

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Guidelines

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Guidelines are intended to structure daily cleaning regiment for Day Program staff to provide optimal sanitization of facilities. Staff and personnel will follow these guidelines set forth for all cleaning practices. Inside this document includes proper usage for cleaning both indoor and outdoor areas. This document also includes resources, supplies needed to disinfect and additional considerations (from guidelines such as OSHA standard’s on Bloodborne Pathogens and CDC Infection Control Guidelines.)

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Guidelines” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Guidelines Download

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Face-masks / Face Coverings

Upon re-opening Day Program, it is necessary that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) be worn by employees and program participants. This is as long as program participants can safely and appropriately wear, remove and handle face-masks. These guidelines also include when to use gloves and emergency access to PPE.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Face-masks / Face Coverings” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Face-masks / Face Coverings Download

Diagnosis, Symptoms or Contact Policy for All Employees

These guidelines state the responsibility of employees to understand the signs, symptoms and information on Covid-19.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Diagnosis, Symptoms or Contact Policy for All Employees” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Diagnosis, Symptoms or Contact Policy for All Employees Download

Day Service Protocols for Administration of Medication Including Treatment of Individuals with Asthma and Other Chronic Illness

This protocol regards participants with moderate to severe asthma; symptoms of people with asthma and Covid-19 may overlap. Further, this protocol touches on the procedures of administration of medication during Covid-19 pandemic.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Protocol for Administration of Medication Including Treatment of Individuals with Asthma and Other Chronic Illness ” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Protocol for Administration of Medication Including Treatment of Individuals with Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Download

Policy for Symptomatic Staff or Participants

Prior to arriving at program, families or residential staff will need to self-assess the health status of individuals. Individuals should not plan to attend program if there are any signs of sickness. This includes high temperature and other Covid symptoms (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc.)

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Policy for Symptomatic Staff or Participants ” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Policy for Symptomatic Staff or Participants Download

Transportation Services Policy

This policy covers the procedures necessary for Transportation Services to operate during Covid-19. Included are safety requirements essential for each Communitas van, and precautionary protocol mandatory by drivers of each Communitas van.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Services Transportation Services Policy” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Services Transportation Services Policy Download

Day Service Protocols for Program Re-closure Due to Covid-19

The Day Service Protocols for Program Re-Closure Due to Covid-19 will be followed in the instance that Communitas Day Programs must close due to Covid-19 exposure.

(For mobile and tablet viewers, click on the left “Day Protocol for Program Re-closure Due to Covid-19” to view this form in PDF Format. If you would like to download this form, click the “Download” button below.)

Day Protocol for Program Re-closure Due to Covid-19 Download

In place of a public Open House event, we are now offering an online Virtual Tour of our Woburn Facilities!

To kick off 2020, Communitas announced the opening of our Woburn Day Program! What was once the Burlington Day Program moved to brand new facilities created in Woburn, and due to Covid-19, the new facility was never able to host a public open house.

Rachel Pothier, Communitas Woburn’s Upward Lead Instructor and resident techie, created virtual tours of our program. There are two virtual tours available that fit the entire building.

Click Here to Tour the Right Wing

Click Here to Tour the Left Wing

Use the arrows to move throughout the facility, and click on the picture markers to see detailed photos. Use the keyboard arrows or mouse (hold down left click and move mouse back and forth) to scroll through the room to find the next arrow to move about the building. Enjoy!

If you’re looking to see more from Woburn, check out our Day Program Facility photos that can be downloaded for Zoom Backgrounds.

Stay up-to-date on all that is happening at Communitas, be sure to follow or subscribe to our social media accounts:

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Important Links

Communitas Family Support and Benefits Specialist from Mass Rehab Commission, Kathy Kelly, went through a training and review on working with public benefits including SSI and MassHealth Programs. The slides below are from this MRC Presentation, provided by Kathy Kelly and Communitas. If this information on working with public benefits is relevant to you, and you would like to get in contact with a representative, Kathy Kelly’s contact information is at the bottom of this page.

Social Security Benefit Programs

Title II – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
A beneficiary receives SSDI based on:

Work history
Deceased spouses work
Parent, if the individual is disabled prior to age 22
Not means-tested

Title XVI – Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Provides assistance to the aged, blind and people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
SSI is a means-tested benefit paid by the U.S. Treasury Department

Age 18 Re-Determination

When an SSI beneficiary turns 18, Social Security considers them to be adults
Eligibility for SSI must be re-determined, or determined for the first time using adult eligibility criteria (No longer deeming parents resources)
A Representative Payee may need to be appointed to manage the SSI payments (Being a guardian doesn’t automatically give you Representative Payee status.)
Parental Support viewed by Social Security when determining payment level. (In-Kind Support and maintenance i.e. food and shelter)

You can work and still get benefits!

You could be eligible for certain impairment related items that are needed for you to work!

Some examples include: medicine, medical supplies, medical devices, service animals, and disposable items such as bandages and syringes, some attendant care services or certain transportation services needed to work

*These items or services cannot be reimbursed by another source such as MassHealth and need to be approved by the Social Security Administration. Contact them directly for additional information.

Reporting Earned Income to SSA

SSI Beneficiaries who go to work should bring their first 4 pay stubs in person to the SSA office which holds their record
Failure to report earned income in a timely manner may result in an overpayment (owing money back to SSA)
Once the beneficiary has reported new earnings in person to SSA, the claims representative can authorize the use of two separate wage reporting system.
Allows monthly Supplemental Security Income Telephone Wage Reporting (It’s a toll-free automated system that allows certain beneficiaries to report monthly #866-722-0953)
The SSI Mobile Wage Reporting app, port using a smart phone.

ABLE Accounts – The Attainable Savings Plan is a tax advantaged savings plan managed by Fidelity Investments. It is a nationwide plan that is tax advantaged (no Federal or MA state tax) on earnings / withdrawals. Able accounts can help disabled individuals save for disability expenses while keeping benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. There is eligibility criteria to open one of these accounts.

Qualified Disability Expenses may include: education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health care expenses, financial management and administrative services and other expenses which help improve health, independence and/or quality of life.

Other important benefits to
consider!

Housing costs should not increase when you are working in a training program! Rent freezes are available! This includes: federal public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, State Public housing and SNAP.

You can file Applications online, in person at the local SSA office, or by mail. To schedule an appointment with a local office call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)

Online Applications: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/
SSI – What to bring for your Interview:https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-documents-ussi.htm
Helpful for Understanding SSI: https://navitomeapp.com/public/app/index.php/#/library
PASS application: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-545.pdf
Helpful link to understand SEIE: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500820510
mySocial Security at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
ABLE: https://www.fidelity.com/able/attainable/overview?imm_pid=700000001560455&immid=100337&imm_eid=e20809734497&gclid=CImLo5ThltgCFQ6zswodyZUA5w&gclsrc=ds

Kathy Kelly, MPA,CWIC
Student Benefits Counselor
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Statewide Employment Services Department
(857) 319-1021

To stay up-to-date on all that is happening at Communitas, be sure to check out our: