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