The Latest Updates

UPDATE: Monday, November 22

Adult Residential Services

Two weeks ago, the RI Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) sent out guidance that we shared stating: With cases of COVID-19 continuing to increase in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is recommending that all hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living communities restrict visitation for the next two weeks.

Governor Raimondo spoke last Thursday urging Rhode Islanders to curb the rise of COVID-19 cases with a two-week statewide pause starting November 30.

"What you have to do is stay at home with the people you live with and celebrate Thanksgiving," said Raimondo. That is what Perspectives is asking everyone to do. If it doesn't work, Raimondo said there could be a full lockdown.

We know this news is discouraging and is not where we had hoped to be as we gear up for the holiday season.

What does this mean?

We will continue to suspend visitation for the next 3 weeks to include the Governor's two week pause bringing us to Monday, December 14th. At that time, we as an agency will look to BHDDH and the Governor's office for continued guidance and communicate an update.

This coming week all of our homes will be putting their energy towards making Thanksgiving plans as enjoyable as possible for everyone (e.g. welcome dishes/treats from families, schedule games, activities and phones calls/Zoom with friends & family, movie night, etc.). All other ideas or special requests are welcome.

In the event of special clinical circumstances, including compassionate care, as BHDDH states, we will work with individuals and their families to design a safe plan where visitation can occur outside of the facility under strict guidelines during the next 3 weeks.

Adult Day Services and Independent Living

Last Thursday, Governor Raimondo announced "Rhode Island on PAUSE" as a strategy to prevent overwhelming Rhode Island's hospital system and avoid "total lockdown". Within this pause, is lowering the social gathering limit to a single household. This means no one should be spending time socially with anyone they don’t live with -- this includes on Thanksgiving.

Perspectives is encouraging everyone working in and supported by Independent Living and Adult Day Services to suspend visits with anyone not an immediate member of their household for the next three weeks to include the Governor's two-week pause bringing us to Monday, December 14th. At that time, we as an agency will look to Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), Rhode Island Department of Health (RI DOH) and the Governor's Office for continued guidance and will communicate an update.

We will continue delivering safe and proactive support, including the ongoing precautions of self screening, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and frequent handwashing, for both individuals and employees. Perspectives Service Coordinators are meeting with individuals & their families to discuss how to maintain or broaden services, such as home-based services and specific community locations, to attain goals. We continue to explore and implement the use of technology to deliver support remotely.

Youth & Family Services

Perspectives Youth and Family Services sincerely extends warm wishes during this fall season as we approach the holidays. As you are aware, the positivity rate of COVID-19 continues to be of concern throughout Rhode Island. Now more than ever, we are asking for continued diligence with all of our safety protocols as we continue to provide our array of home and community based treatment.

At this time, the YFS division (HBTS, PASS, TSS, EI, Children's Residential) continues to provide in-person and tele-health direct services. Community access is occurring for locations approved by agency and family, and in full accordance with all guidelines from the RI Department of Health. Staff are permitted to work across programs if they are cleared by the daily health screening and follow all agency policy and guidelines from the RI Department of Health. Additionally, it is required that all families who receive in-person direct support complete the health screening for all members of the household prior to staff arriving for shift each day. In addition to the daily health screenings, staff and family must adhere to our written COVID protocols regarding mask wearing, disinfecting, transportation, and social distancing.

Masks:

With the recent spike in COVID 19, we request the following:

• Family members wear masks for all in-person conversations with staff and team during shift time.
• If the family member needs to provide guidance, training, or support during shift, we require that they wear a mask and remain 6 feet in distance (unless it is an emergency).
• If it is safe to do so (windows have screens, child is not an elopement risk, etc.), windows and doors may be opened to increase ventilation and air flow.

If the following safety protocols cannot be adhered to consistently, we will need to complete all treatment for the child and family in a tele-health model only and suspend any in-person direct services.

The daily health screens, adherence to all protocols, and consistent honest communication are imperative to safely moving forward with treatment within our programs. It is truly a full team and family effort, and we appreciate your cooperation and support.