Staff Updates
12:56 March 23rd 2020
PLEASE ASK YOU FAMILIES TO CHECK THIS WEBSITE ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR UPDATES
March 23, 2020
To: Active Steps Staff
From: Michael Reid; Tom McCool; Malia Monroe
PLEASE NOTE: If any staff member is impacted by information contained in this update, they will be contacted directly to ensure all questions are answered to the best of our ability.
It is our intention to keep you all fully updated on Active Steps as we attempt to navigate through these very difficult waters caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Your health and safety along with that of our children and families is our highest priority.
This morning we met to review a number of items including
For the next 60 days we will implement the following:
If you have any suggestions as to how we can increase income or reduce expenses, please let us know. I assure you that every option is on the table for consideration.
We want you all to be safe and healthy so that when this crisis is over we can move forward with improving the lives of children and families who need our services.
Thank you again for all your ongoing support
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10:35 MARCH 20TH 2020
The services Active Steps provide are currently considered "essential" services. However, some staff and families are unsure as to whether they should, or want, to continue going to people's homes. Conversely, some families too, are asking us for alternative ways of being supported.
So...for those families who wish to continue with in home services, we are able to do so. However, for those who have access to smartphones, tablets or computers, and who have access to internet, we should be talking to them about how we can connect and work with them to work with their family member. Be sure to find out what, if any, technology based options they may already be familiar with. It will be easier for us to fit in with what they are familiar with rather than try and train families in new technologies.
For those families who have the means and wish to have us continue providing services, you can consider some of the following:
We have also started a new Forum/Blog where you can discuss things and share ideas. The Forum is also a menu item above. Please also encourage families to participate if they wish.
Resources
We have created a "Service Resources Page" for links to resources we can use for virtual, center and home based services. We will be adding links and other resources as we get them. Thanks to everyone who has been sending these through. The page can be accessed under the "More" menu above.
Accupoint and Billing
March 23, 2020
To: Active Steps Staff
From: Michael Reid; Tom McCool; Malia Monroe
PLEASE NOTE: If any staff member is impacted by information contained in this update, they will be contacted directly to ensure all questions are answered to the best of our ability.
It is our intention to keep you all fully updated on Active Steps as we attempt to navigate through these very difficult waters caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Your health and safety along with that of our children and families is our highest priority.
This morning we met to review a number of items including
- Families who have discontinued services
- Staff who want to suspend services until they feel more comfortable about the environment
- Services being provided as a result of the above
- Fixed costs that we need to evaluate
- Cash flow as a result of fewer services and late payments from insurance companies
For the next 60 days we will implement the following:
- Immediate suspension of the frequent service program that awards points for completed appointments
- Changing staff from salaried to hourly status. This still provides the opportunity to receive a full paycheck by providing billable services.
- Requesting our three landlords to defer monthly rents during this crisis
- Continue expanding telehealth (video) delivery of services
- Being available to serve additional clients.
- Ongoing communication with staff via the Active Steps website: www.active-steps.com
If you have any suggestions as to how we can increase income or reduce expenses, please let us know. I assure you that every option is on the table for consideration.
We want you all to be safe and healthy so that when this crisis is over we can move forward with improving the lives of children and families who need our services.
Thank you again for all your ongoing support
======================================================================================================
10:35 MARCH 20TH 2020
The services Active Steps provide are currently considered "essential" services. However, some staff and families are unsure as to whether they should, or want, to continue going to people's homes. Conversely, some families too, are asking us for alternative ways of being supported.
So...for those families who wish to continue with in home services, we are able to do so. However, for those who have access to smartphones, tablets or computers, and who have access to internet, we should be talking to them about how we can connect and work with them to work with their family member. Be sure to find out what, if any, technology based options they may already be familiar with. It will be easier for us to fit in with what they are familiar with rather than try and train families in new technologies.
For those families who have the means and wish to have us continue providing services, you can consider some of the following:
- Talk to your families about considering using our center based services. Our centers are controlled environments and we are taking every precaution to ensure these are regularly sanitized.
- Once connected, work with the family to identify activities they can engage their family member in each day
- Clients for whom it is appropriate, provide one on one service and work directly with them to work through as much of their program as possible
- Provide parent Education online or over the phone. We realise this may take the form more of being supportive, however we need to be creative and flexible
- Engage the client in social interaction. Again, be creative as to how this can occur and what you can do to engage them. Lessons, questions, asking them to complete a task etc. are all things we can try to engage them with.
- Help families plan their day with the client. Agree on activities they can use to practice skills and how to reinforce them for their attempts
We have also started a new Forum/Blog where you can discuss things and share ideas. The Forum is also a menu item above. Please also encourage families to participate if they wish.
Resources
We have created a "Service Resources Page" for links to resources we can use for virtual, center and home based services. We will be adding links and other resources as we get them. Thanks to everyone who has been sending these through. The page can be accessed under the "More" menu above.
Accupoint and Billing
- Any sessions, whether in person or virtual, still require a billing entry. When creating a calendar entry, be sure to select "Telehealth" as a service location if being provided virtually. If unsure, contact your supervisor. If they are not sure, they will clarify and get back to you.
- Gather signatures where possible.
- If you cannot get a signature, please sign on the family's behalf.
- If online, the family can provide a signature online HERE. This page can also be accessed under "More" in the menu above. Look for "Remote Signature"
