Local COVID-19 crisis services, return to work plans detailed
Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Saul Bauer expressed a special thank you to the organization’s teachers during the board’s virtual meeting Thursday evening in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.
“Teachers do so much more than teach, and in these challenging times, we’ve all gotten a pretty clear glimpse at the immense work they do and the immeasurable impact they have on our children’s lives. Now more than ever, we can all appreciate just how much teachers do.”
Superintendent Bauer reviewed the plan for county board assistance for local COVID-19 crisis services, which was approved by the board for a total not to exceed $300,000. The goal is to create a plan in unison with local providers that ensures continuity of care for people served who are in quarantine because of COVID-19 confirmed positive cases.
County boards need to have a clear plan of action when a person needs services because of COVID-19 symptoms and/or diagnosis or needs quarantined due to direct contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Difficult conversations about the willingness of providers to continue providing care when the potential for becoming ill or carrying the illness to their family needs to occur, and a plan developed, officials said.
The LCBDD is prepared to offer temporary financial and personnel assistance to HPC and adult day service providers in Logan County. By providing a mechanism outside of the Medicaid waiver system to support continuity of care based on local funding and able/willing providers and personnel who are prepared, understand the risk and are willing to take the risk, individuals will be better served during the different stages of the COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Superintendent Bauer expressed gratitude to the many direct service providers, county employees and volunteers who have assisted individuals with disabilities during this crisis.
“Without the help of providers, families, volunteers and our employees, individuals with disabilities would be without services throughout much of the day. Our SSAs, parents (families), teachers, volunteers and direct service providers have stepped forward to provide a variety of creative services to assure our citizens with disabilities are cared for during these exceptional times. These workers are owed a debt of gratitude for their exceptional services,” he said.
Bauer also informed the board that he has been working with the management team to develop a Return to Work Plan. He explained that the planning process is complex because the agency must follow Center for Disease and Control Prevention guidelines, as well as the orders from Governor Mike DeWine and the Logan County Health District. Procedures also must be followed from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Department of Education, and the Ohio Association of County Boards recommendations and guidelines.
The agency’s buildings will remain closed through the end of May while employees continue to provide services remotely.
When the facilities reopen, anyone entering the buildings will be required to: wear a cloth face covering, abide by physical distancing protocol, and take their temperature.
In addition, employees will be required to follow mitigation measures when in the office or while on board sponsored activities, including: washing hands properly and regularly, disinfecting work area as needed (minimum – daily at departure), assure all individuals are wearing masks and, know how the virus spreads and follow mitigation measures to keep from getting sick and prevent others from getting sick.
In financial business, the board ended March at 25 percent through the calendar year with the general fund at 20.4 percent utilization and the Community Support Fund is 73.2 percent utilized.
Revenues are 45.3 percent collected while the Community Support Fund is 38.08 percent collected. Year-to-date expenses in the general fund are 3.1 percent higher than this time last year and the revenue general fund is 1.68 percent higher than this time last year.
In final business, the board also granted an increase in the Business Plan Proposal for Provider Supports for “new services” from $25,000 to $50,000.
The finance committee meets at noon Friday, May 29, in the board office conference room. The next board meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, in the board office conference room.
These meetings are open to the public. If Ohio is still under a state of emergency order from Governor DeWine, these meetings will be virtual and the details will be released by local media.