Per the “Stay at Home” order issued by the Ohio Department of Health on March 22, Hattie Larlham is classified as an “essential business.” As such, our residential, in-home care, and employment services programs will continue operating without interruption.

In consideration of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in compliance with recent orders issued by the Ohio Governor and the Ohio Department of Health, Hattie Larlham has taken the following measures to prevent the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for persons served and our employees.

All staff at Hattie Larlham have received training on infection control and proper sanitation protocols, and additional trainings specific to COVID-19 have been instituted. Many of the people Hattie Larlham serves are medically fragile and fall within the most vulnerable demographics for this respiratory illness. All Hattie Larlham service areas are taking extra precautionary measures to limit potential exposure to COVID-19. These actions are being taken based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the medical professionals. We are committed to do everything possible to minimize the chance of COVID-19 becoming an issue at any Hattie Larlham facility.

Effective March 12, all volunteer activities have been cancelled. Nonessential travel and off-premises activities for persons served by Hattie Larlham will be limited and closely monitored to reduce the risk of exposure. Hattie Larlham has issued more detailed communications regarding this protocol directly to parents and guardians of those persons.

Constant Companions Day Program Temporary Closure

Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, all eight (8) Constant Companions day program sites will be temporarily closed in compliance with the order issued by the Ohio Department of Health.

Hattie Larlham will continue to monitor the status of this order, and others that impact our programs and services, and will provide updates regarding a re-opening date when that information becomes available.

Addventures Day Program Temporary Closure

Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, our Addventures day program will be temporarily closed in compliance with the order issued by the Ohio Department of Health.

Hattie Larlham will continue to monitor the status of this order, and others that impact our programs and services, and will provide updates regarding a re-opening date when that information becomes available.

Work Training Sites Temporary Closures

Effective March 20, all three (3) contract work training sites have been temporarily closed. Updates regarding a re-opening date will be provided when that information becomes available.

UPDATE 6/3: Two of Hattie Larlham’s three contract work training sites have re-opened.

Hattie’s Doggie Day Care & Boarding Temporary Closure

Update 5/19 : As of May 19, Hattie’s Doggie Day Care and Boarding has re-opened for business. Please visit this link for more information: http://www.hattielarlham.org/v/doggie-day-care-cleveland.asp

In compliance with the “Stay at Home” order issued by the Ohio Department of Health, both Hattie’s Doggie Day Care and Boarding locations (Twinsburg and North Canton) will be temporarily closed effective March 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Hattie Larlham will continue to monitor the status of this order, and others that impact our programs and services, and will provide updates regarding a re-opening date when that information becomes available.

Family and Guardian Visitation Restrictions at ICF Residences

• There will be no visitation of residents at the Center by family members and guardians beginning at Noon on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
• There will be no visitation of residents at the Aurora, Boettler, Oak, Solon and Wood ICF homes beginning at 9 pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
• The only exceptions will be if a resident is in hospice or we are dealing with an end of life situation; in those cases, visitation will be permitted but all visitors must be screened.
• This visitation restriction will be reviewed daily and modified as appropriate.
• All planned visitors with regard to daily operations at the Center and ICF homes will be screened upon entry. These visitation guidelines are subject to modification as necessary.
• We will assist you in arranging phone calls, Skype, Face Time and other communications with your loved ones during this period of restricted visitation. Please contact the supervisor of the Center or ICF homes to make these requests.

All employees at the Center and the Aurora, Boettler, Oak, Solon and Wood Homes will be screened, prior to their work shift, for any symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza. Any employees exhibiting any symptoms will not be permitted to work. We need to keep in mind that influenza also remains a threat to the residents at these locations.

Family and Guardian Visitation Restrictions at Licensed Group Homes in Central Ohio

• There will be no visitation of residents at the Licensed Homes by family members and guardians beginning at Noon on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. These homes include: Chaffin Ridge, Concord Hill, Cummington, Eastminster, Mcutcheon, Overlook, Siskin, Skyline, Sullivent, Fox Hill and Limestone.
• The only exceptions will be if a resident is in hospice or we are dealing with an end of life situation; in those cases, visitation will be permitted but all visitors must be screened.
• This visitation restriction will be reviewed daily and modified as appropriate.
• We will assist you in arranging phone calls, Skype, Face Time and other communications with your loved ones during this period of restricted visitation. Please contact the home manager to make those requests.

Franklin County Recreation

Effective March 16, 2020, all scheduled events and activities for the Franklin County Recreation program have been cancelled through May 1, pending additional extensions of the “Stay at Home” Order. Refunds for all prepaid events which have been cancelled will be issued via mailed checks.

Dahlberg Gibson Learning Center

Effective March 15, Dahlberg Gibson Learning Center is closed through May 1. This cancellation will be extended as necessary, based on guidance from the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and medical professionals.

The Hattie Larlham medical and leadership teams will continue to closely monitor local and state sources for updates and further guidance regarding COVID-19. In addition, these teams will be meeting regularly to assess the situation as it progresses and develop necessary contingency plans.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following precautions and preventative measures to minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses within your communities:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health are facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website

For general questions regarding COVID-19, some helpful resources are listed below.

• Per a press release from March 6, the Ohio Department of Health has opened a call center to answer questions regarding COVID-19. The call center will be open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634.)
• Ohio Department of Health
• The CDC has created an in-depth resource guide for COVID-19 accessible here.
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health
• Delaware County Delaware General Health District
• Franklin County Public Health
• Portage County Health Department
• Stark County Health Department
• Summit County Public Health