01/06/2020
COVID 19 Update #8
Hi All,
Planning for COVID19 has been occurring for a number of weeks/months now. It is exciting we are starting to see the other end of our planning – the return to services. Services will never be the same again as recommendations for Social Distancing, Temperature checks, Sanitiser stations and the importance of staying home/getting tested when displaying symptoms of illness will remain. However, we are excited that other areas of ARC’s services are returning to “Business As Usual” incorporating the new requirements.
Yesterday the Queensland Government announced their plan to bring forward stage 2 of their “Roadmap to recovery”. In turn, ARC is thrilled we are able to bring forward our second stage of increased services. From the 8th of June the following increases in services will be occurring:
• ARC Programs will increase location based services to 18 participants per day. Programs offered will be an abridged version from what would usually occur, with no transport between sites or to external locations. ARC will maintain records of all who are attending to support any contact tracing if it is required. Limited ‘to and from’ Programs transport will be offered, with the vehicles getting sanitised between trips. A risk assessment is currently being undertaken regarding the Studio and the Café and ARC will contact those who would regularly attend both these locations individually.
• ARC Holiday House will increase the number of guests per night to three. Gaps will be scheduled between guests to ensure the rooms can be sanitised. Transport will be limited to allow for the van to be sanitised between trips; and arrival meetings will be held within the undercover space at the house.
Additional to these increases in services, ARC has also taken this time to review some of our practices, and ways to improve the services we offer. ARC will be updating our Service Agreements within the areas of Direct Supports and Plan Management to be open ended agreements. This will decrease the requirement to get paperwork signed as frequently; and ensure a greater continuity of services as participants’ transition NDIA plans. The terms of these agreements will also be decreased from 28 days’ notice to 14 days’ notice should anyone wish to cease services with ARC*.
Please stay safe and I look forward to sharing with you ARC’s next update.
Kind Regards,
Benjamin Keast – CEO
ceo@arcinc.org.au
* Does not include SILS Service Agreements.
14/05/2020
COVID-19 “Coronavirus” Update #7🌟
Hi All,
We are excited to bring you ARC’s Coronavirus Update number seven, as we are now looking towards the future and our ability to slowly increase service provision. Specifically within ARC’s Programs and ARC’s Holiday House. Whilst these proposed increase in service provision is aligned with the Queensland Governments “Roadmap to recover” it’s important to note however, ARC remains responsive to the recommendations of the health professionals and Government. Should an increase in COVID19 cases become prominent; ARC maybe required to scale back down services. We will continue to communicate that with everyone should that situation occur.
I have included two documents detailing ARC’s plans for both services should you wish to review in more detail; however an executive summary of both services are as follows:
ARC Programs will commence providing location based programs from Monday the 18th of May. This will be limited to nine places per location. The Programs Team will already have commenced making contact with all participants. This will increase to 18 participants per location after four weeks. Programs offered will be an abridged version from what would usually occur, with no transport between sites or to external locations.
ARC Holiday House will commence providing Short Term Accommodation from Monday the 25th of May. Initially this will be limited to only two participants per night. The aim will be to increase this to three participants after three weeks, in line with the Queensland Government Recommendations.
All other COVID Safe requirements remain across the organisation. These include:
🌟 The requirement to get a temperature check on arrival.
🌟 Social distancing is to be promoted whenever possible.
🌟 Those who are displaying symptoms of illness will be required to remain home.
🌟 All areas are cleaned regularly.
Please stay safe and I look forward to sharing with you ARC’s next update.
Kind Regards
Benjamin Keast – CEO
ARC Programs
COVID19 “Return to regular Programing” plan:
ARC has been revising our provision of services on a daily basis in response to Government recommendations and regulations. Aligning with the Queensland Government’s “Roadmap to easing Queensland’s restrictions” ARC will work to increase service provision. ARC Programs will undertake an assessment with all Participants as to who is required to access the group programs initially. This will have a focus specifically for participants who have “essential workers” as their primary care givers at home. This will then extend out to those who are socially isolated; then open up to participants living with their families/independently in the community; and finally Participants living within Supported Independent Living environments. Participants who require special consideration to be prioritised to the access of services should make contact with ARC’s General Manager of Programs.
At all times Participants and Staff who are demonstrating any signs of illness will be required to remain at home. To support this, for ARC Programs, ARC will continue to not penalise anyone with cancellations fees until the end of July 2020. Should any Staff or Participant present at ARC Programs with any signs of illness; they will be required to return home immediately. ARC reserves the right to request a medical clearance in these instances.
All plans developed in the “unfreezing” of services are devised based on the information available at the time. Should a Community Outbreak occur, or the advice of the Queensland Government change, ARC will have to make the appropriate service changes with minimal notice. This will be communicated with all effected parties as soon as practicable.
To promote a healthy and safe environment for all, ARC will undertake the following proactive approaches:
- Temperature checks of all Participants and Staff before commencement of programs on a daily basis. Anyone with a temperature over 37.5 degrees will be required to return home, and recommended to seek medical advice.
- Regular cleaning of all areas throughout the day.
- Regular prompting of washing hands for all Staff and Participants.
- Hand sanitiser will be available at all locations within close proximity to entrances.
- Social distancing will be enforced within all Program Areas. (Note: some support activities require staff to support participants within close proximity i.e. – personal care. In these instances a risk assessment will be undertaken by the staff member and additional support will be provided by the Service Coordinator if required. PPE will be available to provide additional protection for both Staff and Participant)
- ARC Programs will re-open in a revised face to face option. Staff will be rostered on based on the group requirements, plus the provision for additional cleaning requirements.
- No more than 9 Participants at any of ARC’s locations – Hub, Community Hub, ARC51.
- Due to the communal nature of the ARC Studio – this location will remain “closed”.
- Programs will be offered in an “abridged” version within these locations.
- No travel between locations.
- No transport will be available to or from Programs.
- Staff will be rostered on in core locations to further support the “isolation” of teams and ensure any risk of outbreak can be contained locally.
- The ARC Café will remain closed at this time.
- ARC Programs Online will remain in its current state dependent on demand.
- ARC Programs will remain in a revised face to face option. Staff will be rostered on based on the group requirements, plus the provision for additional cleaning requirements.
- No more than 18 Participants at any of ARC’s locations – Hub, Community Hub, ARC51.
- The use of the art studio will be reviewed; however a decision will be made closer to this date dependent on a Risk Assessment. If programs are able to commence from this location, it will have no more than 4 Participants on commencement to support Social Distancing.
- The ARC Café will be reviewed – Take away options may be considered.
- Programs will be offered in an “abridged” version within these locations.
- No travel between locations.
- Transport will be reviewed and risk assessment undertaken, if an acceptable risk, transport may commence to or from Programs.
- Staff will be rostered on in core locations to further support the “isolation” of teams and ensure any risk of outbreak can be contained locally.
- ARC Programs Online will remain in its current state dependent on demand.
- ARC Programs will return to face to face. Staff will be rostered on based on the group requirements, plus the provision for additional cleaning requirements.
- All of ARC’s locations will be utilised in the delivery of services.
- Social distancing will continue to be promoted.
- Regular programs will commence in all locations
- Travel to locations will commence, including to local program areas (i.e. Pool, Gym etc.)
- Transport will be available to and from programs; however recommendations would be for participants to source independent travel options.
- ARC Café will reopen.
- Staff will be rostered on based on needs of services and staff skillsets.
- ARC Programs Online will be revised and possibly discontinued; or offered to those further than ARC’s current geographical area.
1/05/2020
⭐
Hi All,
As we are on the eve of Queensland’s “relaxing of social distancing rules” I felt I should share with you ARC’s understanding on what this means for our services. It is important that we all remain committed to the requirements of these rules, as this is what protects all of us from contributing to the spread of the virus; and hopefully the elimination of it within our Community.
From Saturday the 2nd of May, ARC’s team can assist participants in accessing the community for essential goods/services, plus if the participant would like to access the community for recreational purposes. (Social walk, picnic, non-essential shopping etc.). This still needs to occur within 50Kms of the Participants home; and where possible, the 1.5m social distancing is still required.
For Participants living within ARC’s Supported Independent Living Services, the Queensland Government have confirmed that Participants Families are able to visit them within the SIL House, however cannot be more than 2 family members at a time; and should discuss the visit with the service prior to ensure no other housemates have visitors at the same time. The support staff rostered on do not count towards the restriction of two visitors within a household.
Some of the existing recommendations remain common practice within ARC. These include:
- ⭐ The requirement to stay home and self-isolate if you are unwell
- ⭐ The requirement to wash/sanitise your hands regularly
The Board of ARC have also approved to reimburse the cost of any of ARC’s staff members who wish to get the Flu Shot this year.
All other restrictions to services continue to apply. ARC will continue to monitor the recommendations and advice given by the Government in regards to COVID 19 and are looking forward to increasing the provision of services as further restrictions are lifted.
Please stay safe and I look forward to sharing with you ARC’s next update.
Kind Regards,
Benjamin Keast – CEO
ceo@arcinc.org.au
21/04/2020
Good Morning,
Today I am writing to you, to once again update you on ARC’s provision of services within the current COVID19 landscape we are all living in. Primarily regarding ARC’s Group Programs and Holiday House. At this time, ARC is looking to extend our period of “no onsite group programs” until the middle of May. This is up until and including Sunday the 17th of May. We will assess the recommendations of the Australian Government during the week of the 6th of May and share with you should there be any additional changes to services.
I will also take this opportunity to share with you a breakdown of all of ARC’s services and how they are currently operating;
Coordination of Supports
• The team are continuing to work 50% within the office and 50% remotely
• Meetings are being undertaken via telephone or other electronic means
• In extenuating circumstances meetings may be able to undertake be undertaken face to face; however good hygiene practices will be followed and physical distancing will be implemented
• The team will continue to work closely with all participants and stakeholders
Plan Management
• The team will be working isolated within the ARC office
• All communication will be undertaken electronically
• The team will continue to operate as usual, prioritising payments to vendors to support all business (dependant on NDIA payments)
Programs
• Physical face to face group programs are currently shut down until there is a lift within social distancing laws. ARC continues to review the advise and recommendations from the Australian and Queensland Governments regarding this and look forward to re-opening the services when this is possible.
• The Programs operational team continue to work from isolation within the ARC locations.
• Online group programs are occuring Monday – Friday for participants wishing to continue to join in with these opportunities. These are an extension of the existing group programs and are provided from within participants NDIA packages. If you wish to participant in these programs, please contact the ARC Programs team on (07) 4046 3600 or at programs@arcinc.org.au
• A closed ARC Online Facebook group has also been created for program participants who may not wish to join in the online programs, but remain connected with their peers. Please make contact with us at ARC if you would like to be included in this group.
• Any Programs participants who may wish to receive services in-home or to engage in essential services during this period, please make contact with the Programs team who will be able to assist link you with this service.Direct Services
• The Coordination team are working 50% within the office and 50% remotely
• The Coordination team are contactable electronically and can follow up with phone calls.
• Direct services which are required to continue will be discussed with each participant and their families/support networks.
• Safe hygiene practices and physical distancing considerations will continue to be required for all supports
• Supports will primarily be “in home” unless the access to community is in response to a need (i.e. assistance to attend the grocery store or a medical appointment)
• Supports are not to occur if a Participant, or someone within their household are displaying symptoms of COVID19 (fever, cough etc.)
Supported Independent Living
• The Coordination team are working 50% within the office and 50% remotely
• The Coordination team are contactable electronically and can follow up with phone calls.
• Safe hygiene practices and physical distancing considerations will continue to be required for all supports
• Supports will primarily be “in home” unless the access to community is in response to a need (i.e. assistance to attend the grocery store or a medical appointment)
• PPE kits have been provided to all SIL’s arrangements to ensure any risk of outbreak can be contained swiftly staff/participants are safe.
• The SIL rosters have been swapped around to ensure a core team of workers operate within a sole arrangement to further isolate any risk of outbreak.
• Contactless thermometers are in the process of being procured. Once they arrive, anyone who enters a SIL house will be required to have their temperature taken. Anyone who are displaying symptoms of COVID19 will not be able to enter the house. This is to ensure the health and wellbeing of all.
Holiday House and Short Term Accommodation
• The coordinator will maintain working from the office at the ARC Holiday House
• The Holiday House is currently closed for any group bookings
• The Holiday House is available for emergency 1:1 Short Term Accommodation requests
• This will remain in effect as per the Social Distancing Laws.
Inclusive Education Resource Centre
• The Service will be liaising with all local Schools regarding how they can best be supported during term two.
• The Coordinator will be working isolated within the service during term two cataloguing new equipment and will be reviewing any possible methods of outreach services.
ARC Operational
• The organisation will continue to operate in a combination of office based/home based and isolation based workers. This will continue to be monitored to ensure the service provision can continue where required; and the safety and wellbeing of all is paramount.
• Visitors to the office has now closed unless special considerations are required.
• Safe hygiene practices are followed including physical distancing.
ARC is committed to ensuring all participants are able to receive the services/supports they require during this time; within the available means. If you wish to discuss your own personal circumstance with us, please don’t hesitate to be in contact on 07 4046 3600 or at info@arcinc.org.au .
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time as we continue to evolve and navigate how to provide quality services, whilst ensuring the health and wellbeing of all is considered. We look forward to when we are able to provide our entire scope of services.
Until the next update….
Benjamin Keast – CEO
ceo@arcinc.org.au
(07) 4046 3600
31/03/2020
Hi All,
Happy Tuesday, I hope you are all keeping safe and well during these unprecedented times.
Today I am writing to you, to once again update you on the actions regarding ARC’s service provision as the landscape is ever changing.
- The NDIA has implemented a temporary price increase from the 25th of March on some support items. These include:
- Assistance with Daily Life (Excluding Supported Independent Living)
- Assistance with Social and Community Participation
- Improved Health and Wellbeing (excluding personal training)
- Improved Daily Living Skills
- The NDIA have also change their cancellation policy to state organisations are able to charge 100% of the planned services when less than two weeks’ notice has not been provided. At this point ARC is maintaining our stance that there will be no penalties incurred for any cancellations at this time. Our regular policy of 90% when a cancellation is not made by 3pm the day prior will come back into effect in May; however at this time, we would prefer to encourage those who are displaying symptoms of illness; or wish to self-isolate have the ability to with no penalties ensured.
- Lastly the NDIA have added support coordination items under “core supports”. This is to ensure those who require this additional levels of supports at this time, have access to these services. If you would like additional support within this space, please contact your Coordinator within the organisation and express this to them. They will follow up accordingly to ensure you receive this service.
- As per the updated recommendations to promote greater physical distancing, ARC has had to make the hard decision to stop providing the services within the ARC Holiday House. Drew is following up with all participants this may effect. We are hoping, like with the group programs, this is only for the month of April; however we will continue to review based on the advice and recommendations of the professionals. Also we realise during this time emergencies arise, so if you have specific circumstances where you may require 1:1 Short Term Accommodation; please contact the ARC Holiday House on 07 4053 6136 and discuss this with Drew.
All other service updates remain the same as detailed last week. The operational team are continuing to work on a rotation with 50% in the office and 50% from home to ensure ARC’s services are able to be maintained where required. Supports are now provided primarily within a participant’s home; with only essential community access supports as identified. Physical distancing will remain a high priority, as is promoting safe hygiene practices.
We are always looking for more ways to promote our connective-ness. Please feel free to reach out with any suggestions in this space. I believe when life is able to resume and social gathering are allowed again ARC has committed to hosting a celebratory disco!
Until the next update….
Ben
Benjamin Keast | CEO
P: 07 4046 3602 | E: Benjamin.keast@arcinc.org.au
W: www.arcinc.org.au
Postal: PO Box 942N, North Cairns, QLD, 4870
Office: 92 Little St, Manunda, 4870
COLLABORATION | COMMITMENT | CREATIVITY | DIVERSITY | EMPOWERMENT | FLEXIBILITY | RESPECT | FUN
25.03.2020
Hello to all ARC stakeholders, participants, families , staff and community members,
COVID-19 continues to change the world in which we live. Last night Australia’s Prime Minister again addressed the nation and gave further instruction regarding services which need to pause at this time; and an instruction regarding the need to increase our physical distancing. This is for us all to work in decreasing the spread of the COVID19 virus; and protecting those who are most vulnerable.
In response to this, ARC has again been required to review our service provision to ensure we are operating within the guidelines outlined by the Australian Government. To ensure ARC is achieving this the following service areas are going to be impacted in the following way:
Coordination of Supports
The team will be working 50% within the office and 50% remotely
Meetings will be undertaken via telephone or other electronic means
In extenuating circumstances the Coordination of Support may be able to undertake a face to face meeting; however good hygiene practices will be followed and physical distancing will be implemented
The team will continue to work closely with all participants and stakeholders
Plan Management
- The team will be working 50% within the office and 50% remotely
- All communication will be undertaken electronically
- The team will continue to operate as usual, prioritising payments to vendors to support all business (dependant on NDIA payments)
Programs
- Following social distancing rules and the requirements to not have more than 10 people within specific locations, ARC is going to have to stop the programs as they currently stand. At this time this will be until the end of April; however will be reviewed based on the recommendations from the Australian Government during this time. This will occur from Monday 30 March 2020
- Should any participant who currently access Programs, require services , please discuss this with the Programs Team or your Coordinator of Supports to see what options maybe available to ensure the support needs are met.
- Programs can be contacted by email on programs@arcinc.org.au or the programs manager/coordinator via office.
- The Coordination team will be working 50% within the office and 50% remotely
- The Coordination team will be contactable electronically and can follow up with phone calls.
- Direct services which are required to continue will be discussed with each participant and their families/support networks.
- Safe hygiene practices and physical distancing considerations will continue to be required for all supports
- Supports will primarily be “in home” unless the access to community is in response to a need (i.e. assistance to attend the grocery store or a medical appointment)
Supported Independent Living
- The Coordination team will be working 50% within the office and 50% remotely
- The Coordination team will be contactable electronically and can follow up with phone calls.
- Safe hygiene practices and physical distancing considerations will continue to be required for all supports
- Supports will primarily be “in home” unless the access to community is in response to a need (i.e. assistance to attend the grocery store or a medical appointment)
- The coordinator will maintain working from their office at the ARC Holiday House
- Guest numbers have been reduced to support social distancing within the house
- Safe hygiene practices and physical distancing considerations will continue to be required for all supports in the house
- Changes will be implemented in line with recommendations from authorities
Inclusive Education Resource Centre
- The Service has been suspended until Term 2 and will be closed for access and borrowing. This will be reviewed in line with recommendations from schools.
ARC Operational
- The organisation will commence operations in a combination of 50% in the office and 50% from home. This will continue to be monitored to ensure the service provision can continue where required; and the safety and wellbeing is paramount.
- Visitors to the office has now closed unless special considerations are required.
- Safe hygiene practices are followed including physical distancing.
As always ARC is working hard to remain on top of this ever changing environment. Please don’t hesitate to be in contact if you have any questions, or wish to discuss any personal circumstances relating to your services at ARC.
We look forward to working with everyone to assist in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and are looking forward to when services can return to the regular scheduled programs.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
Kind Regards
Ben Keast
CEO, ARC Disability Services Inc.
23.03.2020
Hi,
I wrote to you two weeks ago regarding COVID-19 and ARC’s preparations/recommendations regarding ensuring a safe and healthy service for all participants and staff. I am writing to you today to share ARC’s update on this serious situation;
- ARC continues to ensure we are following the recommended advice from the World Health Organisation, The Department of Health and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- ARC has increased the staffing within locations to increase the frequency of sanitizing procedures throughout the day. This has been implemented within our office; all program areas; the Holiday House as well as any of ARC’s Supported Independent Living Arrangements.
- ARCs team will be undertaking the Department of Health “Infection Control Training – COVID 19” over the coming week to ensure all team members are up to date with best practices in infection control. (if you are interested: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-information)
- ARC’s team are in constant communication with the office and in instances where there is a potential risk of exposure (i.e. overseas travel) are undertaking self-isolation practices as per recommendations.
- All team members and service participants who displays symptoms of illness are requested to remain home until the symptoms have passed and a clearance is provided. To further promote best practice within in this area, ARC has made the decision to wave any obligations under the cancellations policy until the end of April.
- ARC has created an “infectious disease and emergency health management policy” as well as reviewing our business continuity plan to ensure essential services are able to be maintained, should the requirement to scale down to essential services only occur. If this becomes a directive, someone from ARC would be in contact to discuss what this means for each of ARC’s participants personally.
- To assist with potential impacts within the local economy, ARC is working hard to ensure where possible all creditor payments are executed within 7 days; and purchases are undertaken from local and domestic suppliers.
- ARC is supporting all participants in safe hygiene practices and implementing social distancing whilst on supports. Easy guide which assist with this have been distributed throughout the organisation.
I would like to also remind everyone that under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, you are in control of your own service provision. If you would like to make alterations to the services you are receiving to further decrease any potential risk, please don’t hesitate to contact the ARC office to discuss further. Where we are able to assist, we will.
ARC will continue to keep you up to date with any information as it comes available. This will be done via email and ARC will look to utilize our social media platforms when possible. Should you have any concerns regarding ARC’s services during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07 4046 3600 or at CEO@arcinc.org.au.
Kind Regards
Benjamin Keast
CEO, ARC Disability Services Inc.
P: 07 4046 3600 | E: CEO@arcinc.org.au
W: www.arcinc.org.au
Postal: PO Box 942N, North Cairns, QLD, 4870
Office: 92 Little St, Manunda, 4870
COLLABORATION | COMMITMENT | CREATIVITY | DIVERSITY | EMPOWERMENT | FLEXIBILITY | RESPECT | FUN