A Note to All Readers
The health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. Footprints Center for Autism (FCA) will be providing the latest health and safety information on this web page to ensure that staff and clients are aware of FCA’s health and safety practices when onsite at FCA. Please check this page frequently, as it is subject to change over time as expert recommendations, regulatory practices, and industry practices mature.
Last Updated on 08/28/2022
Face Coverings for Staff and Students
Masks will be optional for the staff and students at FCA. The only time masks will be required are in the cases of close contact or in the recovery period from having Covid-19.
Handwashing
Handwashing for students and staff must be done before and after eating, after using the restroom, after contact with bodily fluids, etc. Opportunities for handwashing will be built into the day, and frequent handwashing will be encouraged throughout the day.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all rooms and all high-touch surfaces and areas will continue to be done by the FCA staff.
Cleaning assignments and instructions are carefully provided and monitored to ensure a healthy and safe environment for students and staff.
In addition to daily cleaning assignments, all staff are required to clean up after themselves and their students in all areas (kitchen, office, classrooms, etc.).
Recognizing the Covid-19 Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 include cold or flu-like symptoms (but are not limited to):
- Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, pressure in the chest, extreme fatigue, earache, persistent headache, diarrhea, and persistent loss of smell or taste
- Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptomstesting/symptoms.html for a list of current symptoms
Symptom and health assessment checks should be completed at home each morning by all students and staff prior to coming to Footprints. If a student or staff member is exhibiting any symptoms, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider.
Reporting Covid-19 Cases
If you, your child, or anyone in your household test positive for COVID-19, please contact our Executive Director, Erin Bolyard (ebolyard@footprints-ohio.com) or our Clinical Director, Nicole Best (nbest@footprints-ohio.com) as soon as possible. In addition, if you, your child, or anyone in your household are awaiting test results from a COVID-19 test, please do not return to programming until the test results have been received.
Protocol to Address a Confirmed Covid-19 Case
If a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the staff member or student should not return to FCA until:
- They have been in quarantine for 5 days since the onset of symptoms
- They have no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after 5 days
- It is recommended, if able, to wear a mask for an additional 5 days upon return
*If they have a fever, they must continue to stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours
Protocol to Address a Confirmed Covid-19 Case
If a confirmed case is established, by testing or confirmed clinically by the employee or student’s healthcare professional, Footprints Center for Autism will complete and review contact tracing, which will include the following:
- Sending a general notification to all students and parents that a positive case has been identified in our program.
- Talking to all close contacts* to verify possible exposure while maintaining the confidentiality of the identity of the infected staff member/student
- Close contacts that are symptom-free are no longer required to isolate; however, close contacts must wear a mask when indoors for 10 days from the date of exposure. Close contacts are advised to take a Covid test on day 6 (5 days after the date of exposure).
- If close contacts are or become symptomatic, they must isolate immediately and take a Covid test. If the test is positive, FCA administration must identify the close contacts of the close contacts.
*A close contact is defined as being within approximately six feet of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time (15 minutes or more) or having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (i.e. being coughed on)
Protocol for Household Members with Covid-19
If a student or staff member has a member of their household that tests positive for Covid, they must follow the same guidelines for close contacts, listed above.
Temporary Closure of Site
Footprints Center for Autism will temporarily close our on-site programming in the following instances:
- Perry Local Schools mandates a campus closure
- For extensive cleaning in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case (1 day)
- If our staffing is significantly impacted by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
What You Can Do
To ensure the health and safety of all, we need to start working differently and we must work together. Make the commitment to:
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- Read and understand all communications
- Practice social distancing at all times
- Self-check your health daily
- Follow the processes and guidelines for social distancing
- Participate in cleaning and disinfecting your work areas
- Practice proper hand washing and sanitizing frequently
- Wear recommended face coverings
- Cough and sneeze into tissues or your elbow
- Ask questions and focus on your health and the health of your co-workers and our students
- If you or your child experience/exhibit any symptoms, STAY HOME
- Report confirmed cases on the Coronavirus Reporting Site