We continue to monitor guidelines in place by the State of Illinois. We look forward to virtual programs beginning in full next week and hope that in-person programs will return later this month. Stay safe and please contact us with questions.
The following information is NEDSRA’s guide for implementing both virtual and in-person programs.
Participant Eligibility
- Ability to maintain 6 foot physical distance from other participants and staff.
- Ability to properly put on, wear, and take off face covering when necessary, for the duration of the program.
- Independent personal care (hygiene, toileting, eating).
- Participate with visual and verbal prompting within a ratio of one staff to four participants, without the need for physical re-direction.
- Ability to follow NEDSRA Code of Conduct and other pre-determined guidelines.
- Participant must have a current Annual Information Form on file.
To determine if in-person programs are a good fit
please consider your responses to the following statements
- The participant is able to function at a 1 staff to 4 participant ratio.
- The participant is able to independently put on and take off their face covering, and wear for the duration of program.
- The participant can independently wash hands.
- The participant can cover a cough or sneeze.
- The participant can independently maintain 6-feet social distancing when in a group setting.
- The participant can eat with minimal assistance.
- The participant is completely independent with toileting needs.
- The participant demonstrates safe behavior toward self and others throughout the duration of the program.
If you answered “Yes” to all statements in-person programming may be a good fit.
If you answered “no” to one of the statements please contact NEDSRA to discuss program options.
If you answered “no” to 2 or more statements virtual programs are the best way to participate until guidelines are updated.
NEDSRA will review all registrations and contact you if there are questions regarding the participant’s ability to follow updated eligibility and safety practices.
complete the below Participant Wellness Screening to ensure eligibility
Practices Taken to Promote Safety and Wellness in our Programs
- Program capacity will be determined in compliance with current health department guidelines.
- Face coverings must be worn by participants and staff at all times.
- The only exception to this is when staff and participants can maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
- Participants must provide their own face coverings.
- Staff will develop a pickup and drop-off system for each program to ensure proper physical distancing. Parents and care givers must wear face coverings and stay in their vehicle. Parents and care givers must wait for staff to acknowledge arrival of participants before leaving.
- Participants must adhere to a strict hand washing schedule.
- Staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces before and after activities and between use by different individuals.
- NEDSRA will take measures to promote 6 feet of physical distancing which may include seating assignments, outdoor activities, barriers and traffic flow patterns.
- Participants and staff displaying symptoms of illness during a program will be removed from the group, and an approved adult will be required to pickup the individual within 30 minutes of notification. Participants will be supervised while waiting for pickup.
- A participant who has been exposed to, or in close contact with, someone confirmed with COVID-19 may only return to program after it has been 14 days from the time of exposure.
- Participants diagnosed with, or exhibiting symptoms of, COVID-19 may only return to program after it has been 10 days from the time the individual experienced symptoms, does not have a fever for 3 days (without fever reducing medication) and shows improvement in respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath). A participant must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, with testing completed after mandated quarantine period or documentation from a physician releasing them from quarantine to return to programs.
- If the participant has an illness such as allergies or other non-contagious conditions that may appear similar to a contagious illness the parent/guardian should indicate that on the Annual Information Form and notify the program leader.
- Participant and staff may be asked to perform an at home self-health check every day prior to arrival at programs. Instructions for the self-health check will be provided prior to the start of programs.
- Reasonable accommodations will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
For everyone’s safety, individuals that do not adhere to program rules and guidelines as stated above,
and in NEDSRA’s Code of Conduct, may be removed from the program.