Re-Opening Messaging for All-Staff

by Kurt Thigpen | Jun 20, 2020 | Staff Resources

Good evening everyone,

We can certainly say that 2020 so far has been a very unusual year. We are happy to announce the reopening of Jobs and Day Training Programs at HSI will begin on July 6. In keeping with Governor Sisolak’s recommended phases for reopening and the challenges of keeping everyone healthy and safe we will be engaging in a conservative reopening schedule as it pertains to numbers of people in the building at the same time and in the same area. Have an expectation that programs, facilities and hours will be adjusted to maintain all pandemic protocols. We anticipate phasing people served back into our programs in small groups over the next 6 weeks.

As you have had to adjust to all the changes in your life, we have had to as well. First, planning a safe close down while remaining viable, then doing business remotely, now planning to reopen. Modifying our program models so we can begin services safely and positively is our priority. We have experienced the loss of much of our manufacturing work so there will be a new program offering that includes job and employment skills development, pin-point skills assessment and training opportunities. While this new program will be an unpaid JDT program, we are excited to offer it. Also, a major change for both the new job skills development program and former iChoose Day Habilitation Program, program sessions during the day will be 4 hours instead of 6+ hours. Offering morning and afternoon sessions will help to accommodate more people given the limitations of available space. It’s different, we know, and we want it to be fun as well as safe!

As we reopen and evolve through our phases, employees and service recipients will be impacted in various ways. We are currently in the process of assessing interest and confirming program placements with our service recipients and their support teams. We will follow up with additional information and next steps for employees – be on the lookout for an invite to a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting on Friday, June 26, at 9 am. Hope everyone will be able to join!

Thank you all for your dedication and understanding. Stay safe!

Sincerely,
LaVonne Brooks

Safety Communication Follow Up 5-11-20

by Kurt Thigpen | May 11, 2020 | Staff Resources

Hi all,

This is a quick status update and follow-up to the prior communication that discussed some safety measures. Thanks to those of you who have brought your questions, concerns, and ideas to our attention; it really does help us keep our communication lines open as the situation evolves so we can work through this better together.

We are currently working on program re-design and operational plans for phased reopening, which we will be submitting to Aging and Disability Services for review next Friday. Phases will be aligned as much as possible with the Governor’s most recent 4-phase plan for our state; more information will be shared as things solidify. Per last messaging, we will remain mostly closed until at least June.

While we plan and prepare for reopening, we will have very limited on-site operations running in the interim. These will be limited to essential: production work, administrative support (e.g. payroll, accounting, and executive functions), and preparation activities by program managers. Through this, we will continue to address questions and concerns to the best of our ability as we work to plan and maintain safe environments. Please continue to keep communication lines open so we can discuss and adjust as needed.

As we plan our reopening, we will be applying the CDC guidelines covering Covid-19 preparation and response for Long Term Care Organizations (see link below). These guidelines cover safety measures such as Infection Prevention and Control to: reduce facility risk, protect workers and people served, respond to exposure concerns, and implement or strengthen business practices to keep our work and service environments safe. CDC guidelines are an extensive and helpful resource, and we encourage interested employees to refer to the CDC Guidelines for Long-Term Care Organizations.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html

We’ve also included another CDC link to assist us as individuals to cope and stay well as we meet these challenges and start to reintegrate into the community.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/index.html

After our phased reopening plans are submitted to the State and finalized, we will share that information with you, including details about each phase of reopening along with the associated positions and compensation available. Training and education around organization and job-specific changes will also be provided as a part of our reopening preparation.

Thank you for your continued patience with all the changes as we navigate these uncharted waters!

Employee COVID-19 Update 4-28-20

by Kurt Thigpen | Apr 28, 2020 | Staff Resources

Hello, HSI & WARC Team!

It was great getting to connect with everyone who was able to attend the All Staff Zoom meeting last Friday! We hope everyone is well and building on these opportunities for reflection, transformation and growth as we continue our social distancing efforts.

The following is a recap of some items that were discussed in the meeting including an update of where things currently stand regarding our COVID-19 response:

• Our previous communication on April 6, 2020, announced our program suspension would continue in alignment with the Governor’s statewide closure until May 1. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not under control to the standards of the Federal and State health officials, congregate programs like ours will remain suspended until at least June.

• We are building on the talent and resourcefulness of our teams to look creatively at how our essential services can be provided differently and safely in this new environment.

• Our State customer has approved in-home JDT supports, and our leadership team is finalizing operational plans to provide them.
• Staff interested in participating in the creative process of program re-design should contact Mark Malady at mark.malady@hsireno.com.
• We will continue to communicate work opportunities as they arise and process payroll the same way it occurred this last pay period that paid Friday, 4/24.
• A reminder of some of the great things we’ve been able to accomplish during these dynamic and uncertain times:

• • We quickly adapted to our changing environments to continue critical operations remotely and provide essential production and services for people served.
  • The passion and dedication of several direct support employees provided residential services that helped to fill a critical gap in our service community.
  • Our leadership and administrative teams have analyzed and implemented several new sets of complex federal regulations, maximizing our resources so that we can keep employees paid and maintained in benefit programs, including securing loans for both HSI & WARC through the Federal CARES ACT Payroll Protection Plan.
  • We’ve been able to obtain and maintain PPE supplies while shortages have been rampant.

We will continue to communicate updates and information as we have them, thank you all for your continued dedication and passion towards our mission!

**Keep in touch and KEEP CHECKING BACK here, on ADP and at the website (hsireno.org under Staff Resources) for the latest updates regarding the status of our operations. Stay safe!**

COVID-19 Employee Update 4-6-20

by Kurt Thigpen | Apr 6, 2020 | Staff Resources

Hello, everyone, I hope this email finds you and your families well.

As you know, last week our Governor extended the “Stay Home for Nevada” directive. This means schools and all non-essential businesses are to remain closed until April 30. In compliance with this emergency, mandatory directive, HSI will begin to reopen facility-based services on May 5. Employees should plan to return to work on May 1, to give us a few days of preparation prior to welcoming back the people with disabilities we support.

Given the continued closure of most of our facility-based services, there are some changes you need to be aware of to your pay and timekeeping.

Starting with this new pay period, Monday, 4/6, through re-opening, paid leave will continue to be available for employees who are available to work but do not have work available. Again, if you have responded to work when available and do not get a work assignment, you will continue to be paid and the hours for which you are paid will no longer be coded PTO. HR will fill out the paid leave portion of the time card; hours worked must still be recorded by employees or supervisors.

Q.  What work is available?
A: Day Habilitation services are essential services and have been approved by the State to be provided in homes. Given this, we anticipate increased Day Habilitation and JDT work becoming available for Day Habilitation staff as we learn more about those who want these services. Day Habilitation staff will be receiving specific instructions on what work is available, where and when. We will communicate the process for how to provide your availability to work later this week.

Q: What if I am unavailable to work?
A: Unless you meet one of the identified COVID-19 related eligibility criteria for not working, you will not be paid HSI/WARC leave or Federal paid leave for the time during which paid work was available.

Employees who fall into one of the Federal COVID-19 eligibility criteria may receive a specific type of paid leave created through the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. You will be required to provide specific documentation regarding your circumstances. Please email Monica or Genny if you think you might be eligible for this leave. For your reference, there is a poster about this leave available in the resources section of our ADP home page.

Certain COVID-19 related reasons for being unavailable for work might qualify you to receive HSI/WARC paid leave, depending on the circumstances. Inability to work will be addressed on a case by case basis. If you believe this applies to you, please email Genny (genny.wilson@hsireno.com) or Monica (monica.dana@hsireno.com).

Employees who are unavailable or are unable to work identified shifts due to personal reasons (not included in the COVID-19 criteria) may use available PTO.

Thank you so much for your dedication and responsiveness. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other!

On behalf of our Leadership Team,

LaVonne Brooks
President & CEO, HSI/WARC/iCelerate

Employee COVID-19 Update – March 25

by Kurt Thigpen | Mar 25, 2020 | Staff Resources