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Bergen CASA Advocate 4th Quarter Newsletter

New Visitation Protocols — Fall 2021

I am excited to let you know that we now have Bergen CASA masks! In anticipation of the fall when it will be likely too cold for in-person outdoor visits, we are issuing new protocols which will be mailed to you, along with your mask, so please look out for them any day now!

Here is the Fall 2021 Protocol:

Pre-Scheduling the masked indoor visit/meeting discuss the following: 

Is the caregiver/person/family you will be seeing receptive to participating? Do they agree to be masked? Are they vaccinated (excepting children under 12 years)? 

Start the conversation by gently probing their vaccination status making it clear that they do not have to answer. Inform them that that you will wear a mask and will need them to wear one too.  If they will not share their vaccination status and are not willing to commit to being masked – schedule an outdoor, masked visit or discuss alternatives with your Case Supervisor

On the day of the visit, (or the meeting), contact the caregiver beforehand:

  • Ask whether anyone in the home has had a temperature of more than 99.9 degrees in the past 72 hours, has a cough, or other symptoms of illness. If yes, reschedule the visit.
  • Ask whether anyone in the home has been exposed to anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days or has traveled to a COVID-19 hot spot. If yes, reschedule the visit.
  • Remind the caregiver that all persons involved in the visit/meeting need to be masked. 

On the day of the visit/meeting:

  • Take your temperature, if over 99.9 degrees, the visit/meeting must be rescheduled for at least 72 hours after you are fever-free with no medication.  
  • If you have an active cough or other symptoms of illness, reschedule the visit.
  • If you have been in contact with anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or traveled to a COVID-19 hot spot in the last 14 days, postpone the visit for at least 14 days. 

During all in-person interactions you must:

  • Be masked either outdoors or indoors.   
  • Try to maintain social distance, wash your hands before and after (or use hand sanitizer).
  • Refrain from physical contact – no shaking hands, hugging, etc.