New updates as of Wednesday, August 11th can be found below in blue.
We have updates to share as of Wednesday, August 11th.
Mains’l has updated their COVID Office Preparedness Plan. Please see updated Office Plan here.
Originally posted Wednesday, June 8th
Mains’l has updated their COVID Office Preparedness Plan. Please see updated Office Plan here.
Originally posted Wednesday, May 27
Mask Restricted Lifted for Those Who Have Been Fully Vaccinated
With the announcement from the CDC and the MN Governor stating those who have been fully vaccinated are no longer required/recommended to wear masks and stay socially distance, Mains’l has updated their COVID Office Preparedness Plan. Please see updated Office Plan here.
Originally posted Wednesday, March 17
Vaccine Eligibility – Next Phase Starting Now!
With the increase in vaccine distribution in Minnesota and California, the next phase of eligibility has opened up! In MN, there is a Vaccine Connector website, which allows you to go in and register to get vaccinated. Here’s the link: https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov/. You can also call if you have questions about the Vaccine Connector or you need language assistance: 1-833-431-2053
In CA, you can visit the California Department of Health website at https://myturn.ca.gov/, which allows you to go in and register to get vaccinated. You can also call the CA COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa-Su 8AM-5PM) for assistance.
Please watch this new update from Nurse Nancy thanking each of you for your commitment to health and safety during the pandemic.
We have updates to share as of Wednesday, December 23rd
We now have a plain-language explanation of the COVID-19 vaccine available for download and printing; get it here.
We have updates to share as of Friday, November 20th
What’s happening to me? What’s happening to us? What’s happening to all of us?” In this inspiring and insightful new blog post, Dr. Rick Amado dives into ways in which each of us are coping with the pandemic and offer strategies to not just survive, but thrive.
We have updates to share as of Friday, November 6th
Mains’l is committed to practices that focus on everyone’s well-being as we navigate through the COVID pandemic. We are counting on everyone to continue the practices we’ve established when at work. Please continue wearing your masks and follow all universal precautions. With the upcoming holidays and colder weather upon us, we will find ourselves indoors more often. We will be keeping our offices closed to the public until spring, which will we monitor again in early April. To review our current COVID Office Preparedness Plan, please click here.
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Please view our latest COVID-19 prep and response plan here. It includes new protocol for cleaning and environmental decontamination.
Because scientific understanding of this novel coronavirus is still evolving, the Mains’l COVID Response Team will follow new developments. The team will recommend changes to our practices, based on the emerging understanding of the virus and its transmission, in the hope of reducing viral spread.
To support the healthiest possible air in our homes, and in response to some concern that HVAC systems could contribute to viral spread, Mains’l is working to upgrade all furnace filters to HEPA filters.
While the risk of transmission from contaminated environmental surfaces and objects is not fully understood, we will follow disinfecting practices in all of our work places.
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Originally posted Friday, May 22 at 8am:
Mains’l remains committed to partnering with those we support, our crew, and our stakeholders, as circumstances with COVID-19 change. Over the last nine weeks, our practices have followed the recommendations by State Governor’s offices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Health. Our goal is to provide the safest possible services and work places. Together, we continue to meet challenges with a collaborative spirit and an unwavering commitment to our shared vision, mission and values.
As of May 18, 2020 there is no significant change to our day to day operations, and we will stay the course. We will continue with the disinfecting protocols, social distancing, source control (masks, shields), temperature/symptom checks, and limit those who come and go from each home, as well as our office settings.
As restrictions begin to slowly fade, guidance from the CDC and Governors’ offices state:
- People who are vulnerable/at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are urged to stay home
- Anyone who is feeling ill should stay home
- Continue physical distancing (at least six feet)
- Wearing face coverings in public place is strongly encouraged
- Unnecessary travel is discouraged
- Any worker who can work from home will do so
It is critical that we all follow recommended restrictions because our own health and the health of those we support depend on it. And, we continue to engage in conversations as we figure out next steps in a safe transition for all people. A Mains’l COVID 19 Office Preparedness Plan has been developed, which follows recommendations established by the Governors’ offices, OSHA, the CDC and Department of Health for businesses and offices to operate safely. You can view the plan here.
As always, please reach out to us if you have concerns or questions about your specific services.
Thank you for your support and partnership!
– The COVID Response Team
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Originally posted Friday, April 3 at 3pm:
We’re all sailing in uncharted waters as the impact of the COVID-19 virus becomes more apparent to each of us and our communities. At Mains’l, we’re making decisions based on our mission, vision and values, as well as guidance provided by government agencies in states where we offer services.
In light of recent events, we are adjusting our practices in response to new information, and we have instituted a number of new practices aimed at keeping people healthy, and ensuring we have a healthy workforce. As we share those changes, we want to thank our crew who have stepped up and stepped out in continuing to offer innovative supports to all — we’re grateful to you for your willingness to quickly adopt new ways of thinking and working.
We have important updates to share as of Friday, April 3 at 5pm. We are asking staff to follow a new guideline: wearing cloth masks on shift and in public places. With the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also recommending wearing masks in public, we want to encourage our crew to be as proactive as possible to protect our staff and the people we support.
We are sourcing durable, hand sewn masks for all staff and will distribute these to your teams as we get them in hand (we hope to have enough in approximately a week). Until then, we encourage people to make their own! Here’s how.
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Originally posted Friday, March 27 at 3pm:
As you may know, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a “stay at home” order, starting Friday, March 27 at midnight.
What does this mean for us at Mains’l? Not much will change, as we have already implemented new processes and best practices to protect the health of our crew and those we support, which you can see below on this page. All Minnesotans can and should continue with necessary shopping, exercise and time outside to de-stress and enjoy the spring, which are still permitted with the “stay at home” order.
We are assured that essential staff will not have trouble getting to work or need to carry a letter. We’ve been told by police that no one coming to work, pumping gas, or shopping will get questioned or stopped. If people are gathering in groups, they will be asked to break up their groups and ticketed if they do not comply with that request. If you know or hear of essential staff being questioned, please let us know so we can take action.
With the “Stay at Home” order, we are making two changes to our practices.
No visitors policy will begin Friday, March 27: We have had very few visitors at our residential properties because so many of us see the wisdom in staying home at this time. And while we are not thrilled to officially restrict visitors, we know it’s the right thing to do during the order to “stay at home.” If you have concerns about this change, please feel free to contact your Senior Manager or the Director of Services in Minnesota.
Routine temperature checks: Because a fever can be the first sign of COVID-19, and may go unnoticed, we are implementing routine temperature checks for those we support as well as our staff. This will allow anyone showing early signs to begin monitoring symptoms, deepening social distancing and taking good care of themselves.
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Originally posted Wednesday, March 18 at 12pm:
An Address From Our President and Founder, Terri Williams. Please take a moment to listen to these remarks on COVID-19 from our founder and president Terri Williams.
We’ve created a COVID-19 Response Team to make important decisions to keep people safe. We have activated a Mains’l COVID 19 Response team of Senior Leaders and Health Care experts which is guiding our decision making. This team has been working around the clock to implement the changes required to ensure the health and well-being of everyone in the Mains’l community.
Our offices will have restricted access as of end of day, Thursday, March 19. In keeping with the recommendations from our state and federal health agencies, our offices will have restricted access. We are asking people not working with those we support, to work remotely and refrain from coming into the office except to complete essential functions. We’ll be supporting everyone working remotely with the technology and workplace solutions needed to continue their excellent work. In addition, walk-in counseling clinic will be closed.
In-person meetings and trainings will be held virtually. We are asking that all in-person meetings, trainings and social events move to virtual platforms and technology until the CDC issues revised guidance on social distancing,
Our various teams are streamlining existing processes to safeguard everyone’s safety. Our Human Resources is working to quickly streamline our onboarding and partnering with other agencies to identify and share employees whose workplaces are closed due to the COVID 19 Virus. In addition, our Financial Management and Participant Directed Services teams are working to ensure our agency partners and families receive timely information and we continue to provide uninterrupted service.
Assessments and supports available. We are actively identifying and implementing innovative service options in response to COVID-19.
Childcare for essential employees. A letter designating our workforce as “essential” has been prepared and is available from human resources allowing employees to access school based childcare in Minnesota. We are also exploring our ability to quickly mobilize other childcare options to support people during school closures.
Additional resources to be shared here. We are committed to sharing the very best and latest information from trusted government agencies and sources to help our community stay healthy and safe. Check here for updates.
- A detailed and informative hand-washing tutorial can be found here.
- A guide to make your own face masks can be found here.
- A plain-language explanation of COVID-19 can be found here.
- A personal passport for health which each individual can build for themselves to ensure better healthcare can be found here.
- Ideas and inspiration for how to pass the time and stay healthy during the social distancing phase of the crisis can be found here.