Introduction

COVID-19 has presented particular and unique challenges to agencies that provide residential treatment to young people in foster care. In responding to this pandemic, agencies have developed a variety of policies and protocols to protect the safety of staff, young people, and families while also ensuring continued quality of service to clients.

These guidelines codify the response of three agencies who provide residential treatment services to young people in the New York City metropolitan area:  JCCA, Sheltering Arms, and Children’s Village. The document lays out areas of focus, provides guidance regarding protocols and procedures and identifies resources that can assist agencies as they meet the challenge of responding to COVID-19.

Purpose

During the course of developing these guidelines, various approaches and protocols shifted.  As new information became available regarding the spread of the virus and the government’s ensuing responses, the agency responses also developed rapidly and iteratively. Additionally, residential programs vary in size, staffing patterns, and resources. These guidelines, therefore, seeks to provide guidance with the understanding that approaches to the areas of focus may shift over time or may differ for different organizations.

We hope that these guidelines and approaches can assist organizations as they seek to develop their own, unique responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attachments:

NYC Health COVID-19 Guidance for Congregate Settings