Covid-19
The impact of COVID-19 has been persistent and all-encompassing. From complex health issues to widespread social and economic challenges, this global pandemic has created significant disruptions in every sphere of life. Richcroft is committed to the safety of all our residents, clients, and staff during this difficult time. Our team is trained, supported, and well-resourced to manage all aspects of the COVID-19 response. Our people have access to leading healthcare advice and are working hard on the ground to ensure the safety of all residents and clients.
First, I would like to thank all of our family and friends who have supported Richcroft during this pandemic. We have received kind words, encouragement, and donations. For that, I am extremely grateful.
Effective Wednesday, February 2, 2022:
- Family members who are able to show documented proof (The COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) of a completed Covid vaccine protocol 14 days prior may visit inside a Richcroft home.
- Family members who are able to show documented proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before their visit may visit inside a Richcroft home. This includes a rapid test, available at most urgent care centers around Maryland.
- Supported individuals who have completed the Covid vaccine protocol may resume normal visitation 14 days after receiving their second-dose of the vaccination. This includes taking the person out into the community, visit their family in the family home, attend family gatherings, spend the night at the family home etc. Additionally, individuals who have completed the vaccine protocol, and have an exposure to Covid while on a visit, will not need to isolate or quarantine upon return of the visit if they meet the following criteria:
- They’re fully vaccinated (at least two weeks have passed since getting the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
- They don’t have symptoms of COVID-19 after the exposure.
- Masks must be worn at all times, and the Richcroft Covid questionnaire must be completed with each visit. Handwashing/social distancing guidelines followed in the community
Richcroft is continuing to monitor federal, state, and local positivity rates and guidance, and these visitation protocols are subject to change at any time within Richcroft’s discretion.
Effective Tuesday, December 27, 2021:
Richcroft continues to assess the rapidly evolving situation and increases in Omicron COVID cases. Breakthrough infections are occurring in individuals who have already been vaccinated. Maryland’s current positivity rate is 15.85% which is the highest is has been since May 2020. As a result of these numbers, and an abundance of caution, Richcroft is modifying its current visitation policy:
- No home or community visits
- Visitation will only be allowed outside the home, for 1 hour, and must be scheduled in advance with the Program Manager. No “coming or going” but people may go for a walk with family members.
- Should the team agree to a New Years visit, the supported individual may not return to the home until there is proof of a negative COVID test.
- No non-essential activities/appointments are permitted.
I know these changes occurring around the holiday season makes a difficult situation harder, but we will continue to try and balance our philosophy of dignity of risk with the need to protect our at-risk individuals and the staff that support them.
Effective Monday, March 1, 2021:
- Family members who are able to show documented proof (The COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) of a completed Covid vaccine protocol 14 days prior may visit inside a Richcroft home.
- Family members who are able to show documented proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before their visit may visit inside a Richcroft home. This includes a rapid test, available at most urgent care centers around Maryland.
- Supported individuals who have completed the Covid vaccine protocol may resume normal visitation 14 days after receiving their second-dose of the vaccination. This includes taking the person out into the community, visit their family in the family home, attend family gatherings, spend the night at the family home etc. Additionally, individuals who have completed the vaccine protocol, and have an exposure to Covid while on a visit, will not need to isolate or quarantine upon return of the visit if they meet the following criteria:
- They’re fully vaccinated (at least two weeks have passed since getting the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
- They don’t have symptoms of COVID-19 after the exposure.
- Masks must be worn at all times, and the Richcroft Covid questionnaire must be completed with each visit. Handwashing/social distancing guidelines followed in the community
Richcroft is continuing to monitor federal, state, and local positivity rates and guidance, and these visitation protocols are subject to change at any time within Richcroft’s discretion.
Effective Tuesday, December 2, 2020:
Richcroft continues to assess the rapidly evolving situation and increases in COVID cases. There are currently 203,355 total confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Maryland as of Dec. 2. A day after Gov. Larry Hogan said Maryland is not yet near the coronavirus peak, the state reported 2,220 new coronavirus cases and 42 new deaths tied to COVID-19, the most deaths reported in one day since early June. As a result of these numbers, Richcroft is modifying its current visitation policy:
- No home or community visits
- Visitation will only be allowed outside the home, for 1 hour, and must be scheduled in advance with the Program Manager. No “coming or going” but people may go for a walk with family members.
- Should the team agree to a Christmas Eve/Christmas visit, the supported individual may not return to the home until there is proof of a negative COVID test. Additionally, the supported individual will need to isolate for 5 days upon return.
- No non-essential activities/appointments are permitted.
I know these changes occurring around the holiday season makes a difficult situation harder, but we will continue to try and balance our philosophy of dignity of risk with the need to protect our at-risk individuals and the staff that support them.
Effective Friday, November 13, 2020:
Due to the significant increases in COVID cases in Maryland, Richcroft will be modifying its current visitation policy. Effective Friday, November 13 overnight visits will no longer be allowed. At this time Thanksgiving visits will follow our community outings policy which states that if the team is in agreement with the decision and understand the risks associated with the decision, we will support the decision. Since current data shows that family gatherings are at high risk for spreading the virus, Richcroft requests that home holiday visits are capped at 10 people.
The following policy expectations will remain in place:
- Homes in which an individual or staff has tested positive or there has been a potential exposure will not be allowed to have any visitation.
- Visitation inside the home is still not permitted.
- Visitation is not allowed if you are experiencing any signs/symptoms or have had recent contact with anyone who has or may test positive.
- Visits should still be scheduled with the Program Manager.
- Pick up and drop off will occur at the front door, not inside the home.
- Families and supported individuals should continue to follow CDC and State guidelines around mask use and social distancing.
- Locations, where large groups of people congregate without the ability to socially distance, should be avoided.
- Outdoor activities are preferred.
- Should Maryland show a spike or second wave, this policy will be revised.
Effective Friday, September 11, 2020:
As Maryland moves into Phase 3 of its Roadmap to Recovery, Richcroft will be modifying its current visitation policy.
- Overnight visits are allowed on Friday and Saturday nights only. At this time, Richcroft staff may not provide drop off or pick up transportation.
- Homes in which an individual or staff has tested positive or there has been a potential exposure will not be allowed to have any visitation.
- Visitation is not allowed if you are experiencing any signs/symptoms or have had recent contact with anyone who has or may test positive.
- Visits should still be scheduled with the Program Manager.
- Pick up and drop off will occur at the front door, not inside the home.
- Families and supported individuals should continue to follow CDC and State guidelines around mask use and social distancing.
- Locations, where large groups of people congregate without the ability to socially distance, should be avoided.
- Outdoor activities are preferred.
- Should Maryland show a spike or second wave, this policy will be revised.
Effective, Saturday, August 22, 2020
- Extended day visits may occur outside the home. A day visit is defined as the following:
- The supported individual is picked up from and returned to the Richcroft home on the same date.
- Families, legal guardians may provide transportation in their vehicles away from the home. At this time, Richcroft staff may not provide drop off or pick up transportation.
- Visits should still be scheduled with the Program Manager.
- Pick up and drop off will occur at the front door, not inside the home.
- Families and supported individuals should continue to follow CDC and State guidelines around mask use and social distancing.
- Visitation is not allowed if you are experiencing any signs/symptoms or have had recent contact with anyone who has or may test positive.
- Locations, where large groups of people congregate without the ability to socially distance, should be avoided.
- Outdoor activities are preferred.
- Homes in which an individual has tested positive or there has been a potential exposure will not be allowed to have any visitation.
- Should Maryland show a spike or second wave, this policy will be revised.
June 4, 2020 Update
As you know, Governor Hogan has moved Maryland into Phase 2 of the Roadmap to Recover Plan. As a result, Richcroft is modifying its current visitation policy effective Friday, June 5th. We will continue to evaluate how we provide supports using CDC and MD Department of Health guidance.
Residential
June 4, 2020 Update
Richcroft Inc’s modified visitation policy is as follows:
- Visitation must occur at the home location, outside.
- Visitation must be planned in advance by scheduling with the Program Manager. Visitations will last a maximum of 1 hour and may not exceed 4 visitors.
- All visitors must wear a mask and practice social distancing to the best of their ability.
- Visitors may not enter the home.
- The policy of no back and forth home visits will continue to be enforced at this time.
- Should Maryland show a spike or second wave, this policy will be revised.
We know these are difficult and challenging times, requiring hard decisions and unprecedented changes to some Richcroft policies. Please know that the health and safety of our staff and supported individuals are at the core of all decisions we make. As you know, Governor Hogan has lifted the Stay at Home order and Maryland has entered into Phase 1 of the Roadmap to Recovery plan. While the State is able to move into Phase 1, not all counties in which Richcroft provides services will be moving at the same speed. With that in mind, Richcroft will be continually evaluating its supports, policies, and procedures using CDC and MD Department of Health guidance. At this time, our services and supports will remain as they has been since March 13, 2020.
This includes the following:
Residential
Richcroft will continue to provide 24/7 supports to individuals in our residential program. At this time, the current no visitation policy remains in effect. However, if your loved one is currently at home, and you would like him/her to receive their supports once again at Richcroft, please contact your county's Residential Director to make arrangements. Please know that our policy of no home visits during the state of emergency will remain in effect at this time.
Personal Supports
Richcroft will continue to provide Personal Supports for those deemed necessary. Additionally, Richcroft is able to provide virtual supports as well. Lastly, any family member who is interested in becoming a paid support for your loved one can contact your son/daughter’s case manager to make arrangements.
Richcroft Office
The Richcroft office is closed. Richcroft’s mainline will continue to be answered Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can reach us at 410-785-3274 or info@richcroft.org
Thank you for your understanding. This page will be updated as events change.
Sincerely,
Kevin Drumheller
CEO
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.
Disability alone may not be related to a higher risk for getting COVID-19 or having a severe illness. Most people with disabilities are not inherently at higher risk for becoming infected with or having severe illness from COVID-19. However, some people with disabilities might be at a higher risk of infection or severe illness because of their underlying medical conditions. All people seem to be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 if they have serious underlying chronic medical conditions like chronic lung disease, a serious heart condition, or a weakened immune system. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than adults without disabilities.
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