Info@MeetCTP.com
Phone : 877-MeetCTP (633-8287)
Fax : 610-680-3918

Our Mission

CTP COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

CTP will continue to review this policy as needed when authorities, clients and schools (if applicable) release new health and safety guidance and requirements related to the coronavirus.

Provider Face to Face (F2F) Services

Objective: The health and safety of our providers and the children we serve continues to remain our highest priority. By prioritizing such, this policy supports CTP’s mission to provide the highest quality services, utilizing the latest in research to help our clients achieve their fullest potential.

CTP Designated Point of Contact to Assist Related to COVID-19: The designated point of contact for F2F services are called the COVID-19 Coordinator. They will serve as the first point of contact to providers.

Guideline Revisions – Living document: New developments and understanding will continuously be incorporated in this Policy on an as needed basis. Revisions will be communicated to all providers through CTP communication emails, through the designated point of contact, or through the CTP leadership team.

Vaccinations According to the CDC: COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying—especially people who are boosted. COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and other variants with widespread circulation in the United States.

F2F Services Considerations:

  • High risk group membership (see “high risk individuals”)
  • Positive test for COVID-19
  • Exposure to COVID-19
  • Existence of symptoms of COVID-19

Additional Considerations Related to F2F Services: We are monitoring the Federal, CDC, State, Local and Department of Education guidelines in consideration of providing F2F Services If the school’s requirements (if applicable) remain stricter than changes from the CDC, Federal, state or DOE level, we will continue to follow the school (if applicable) mandates.

The status of services is subject to change. We will follow the directive as mandated by the State and Pennsylvania Department of Education and the respective school, if applicable.

If a family refuses F2F sessions, the provider will communicate the refusal to the COVID-19 Coordinator and will be guided on the next course of action.

HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS: For individuals who are at risk of severe COVID-19 illness, vaccines are highly effective against severe illness per the CDC.  Please refer to this link for current information of other underlying medical conditions: Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Professionals | CDC:

Guidelines for those at high risk of severe COVID-19: Please follow strategies such as social distancing, washing hands frequently, limiting contact with and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces or share items, and wearing a cloth face covering when you are around people you do not live with, especially when it is difficult to stay 6 feet apart or when people are indoors.

Providers must follow personal hygiene and social distancing measures: The following Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) must be utilized during all F2Fservices in addition to protocols listed in school (if applicable) specific health and safety plans.

  • Use of thermometer
  • Wearing of a face mask during F2F services
  • Carrying and use of hand sanitizers while in the F2F environment. Keep it in a safe location to ensure client’s safety.
  • Use of disinfectant wipes to wipe down the work area before and after service.
  • Avoidance of handshaking and substitution of other noncontact methods of greetings are encouraged.

STEPS TO FOLLOW IF TESTED POSITIVE WITH COVID-19

  • Providers must cancel all F2F services immediately and notify the COVID-19 Coordinator by email within 24 hours after testing positive for COVID-19. Wait for directions by CTP on next steps and when to resume F2F services. Providers may provide virtual services for specific client(s), if applicable, while under quarantine if approved by school (if applicable) and CTP.
  • Providers must be in isolation for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or date of their positive test for COVID-19 
  • Providers may return to provide any F2F services when the isolation period is complete, and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.
  • Provider may be required to submit a negative test result or may be requested to provide a doctor’s note after completing the isolation period.
  • In case a provider has tested positive for COVID 19, they must notify the families who could potentially be at risk because of their result. 

STEPS TO FOLLOW IF POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO COVID-19

Providers must cancel all F2F services immediately and notify the COVID-19 Coordinator by email within 24 hours after exposure date. Wait for directions by CTP on next steps and when to resume F2F services. Providers may provide virtual services for specific client(s), if applicable, while under quarantine if approved by school (if applicable) and CTP

Based on the CDC guidelines and recommendations:

Providers who are exposed and develop symptoms after exposure date:

  • Provider must get tested for COVID-19 immediately. If result is negative and provider is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms are improving, provider may resume F2F services. Provider must take precautions for at least 10 days, such as watching for new symptoms, wearing a well-fitting-mask, and avoiding travel.

Providers who are exposed and did NOT develop symptoms after exposure date:

  • Provider must quarantine for at least 5 days from exposure date. Provider must get tested for COVID-19 five (5) days after the exposure date.
  • Provider who tests negative may resume F2F services. Provider must take precautions for at least 10 days, such as watching for new symptoms, wearing a well-fitting-mask, and avoiding travel.
  • Provider will be required to submit a negative test result or may be requested to provide a doctor’s note after completing the quarantine period.

STEPS TO FOLLOW IF SHOWING 2 OR MORE COMBINED SYMPTOMS FOR 24 HOURS OR MORE:

Providers must cancel all F2F services immediately and notify the COVID-19 Coordinator by email within 24 hours after showing symptoms. Wait for directions by CTP on next steps and when to resume F2F services. Providers may provide virtual services for specific client(s), if applicable, while under quarantine if approved by school (if applicable) and CTP

Symptoms or combination of symptoms as indicated by the CDC:

  • Fever (100.4 F or 38 C or greater) or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle, head or body aches
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea         

Based on the CDC guidelines and recommendations:

  • Providers must get tested for COVID-19 immediately and isolate until they receive test results.
  • If result is negative and provider is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms are improving, contracting provider may resume F2F services. Provider must take precautions for at least 10 days, such as watching for new symptoms, wearing a well-fitting-mask and avoiding travel.

Prior to and During Each F2F Session

  1. The day before every F2F session, the provider is required to contact the family to remind them of the appointment and discuss the following with the family:
  2. After self-evaluation and no detection of COVID-19 like symptoms, the provider will complete the CTP Screening Form with the family, let the family know they are symptom free and are able to provide service.
  3. The provider will remind the family that all people in the F2F environment are required to wear a face mask. CTP could extend written approval for a family where a school (if applicable) does not require it if the provider agrees.
  4. The provider will also follow any state (see below in Additional Information section) and school (if applicable) specific health and safety plans.
  5. If a provider tests positive for COVID 19, been potentially exposed to COVID-19 or is experiencing 2 or more symptoms of COVID-19, the follow the process above.
  6. If the client or other people in the f2f environment tests positive for COVID 19, been potentially exposed to COVID-19 or is experiencing 2 or more symptoms of COVID-19: the provider must immediately notify the COVID-19 Coordinator by email within 24 hours after the knowledge of the COVID-19 related incident. Wait for directions by CTP on next steps and when to resume F2F services.
  7. Providers must cancel the appointment(s) with that one F2F client. Important- only cancel with that one client if you were NOT potentially exposed in that F2F environment. If you were potentially exposed in the F2F environment, you must cancel with all current and future in-person Face to Face client(s)
  8. If the client or other people in the F2F environment declines to wear a face mask during the session: the contracting provider must cancel the appointment(s) with that one F2F client. 
    1. EXCEPTION: No need to cancel if there is a prior written approval and everyone in the F2F environment agrees that the F2F service can take place with people declining to wear mask. *

*Please note: Session may occur ONLY if applicable reason for not wearing a face mask is provided, there is prior written approval, and everyone in the F2F environment has agreed that service can continue F2F.

Expectation of F2F Environment

  • Prior to each F2F session, verify that the client and other people in the F2F environment’s temperatures are below 100.4 degrees and no one is displaying COVID-19 like symptoms, nor have been potentially exposed to or have tested positive for COVID-19 in order to conduct a F2F session.
  • Environment for F2F service should follow the CDC guideline regarding use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Client and other people in the F2F environment should use PPE.*
  • Face masks must be worn by all people in the F2F environment.
  • Work areas are sanitized.
  • Social distancing (maintain a six-foot distance) practices are followed by everyone in the F2F environment while services are in session.
  • Frequent handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer should be utilized at the start, completion and during each session and as needed.

* If a client’s disability impacts their ability to follow Health & Safety Plan guidelines, the team should meet and develop a plan to increase safety awareness and safe behaviors related to COVID-19. If the contractor provider has concerns related to the client’s ability to follow safety guidelines, please reach out the COVID-19 Coordinator.

Reasons Leading to Cancellation of Sessions

  • Failure to obtain confirmation of temperature below 100.4 degrees and/or absence of COVID-19 like symptoms or a positive test of the contracting provider, client’s or other people in the F2F environment prior to the start of F2F session may lead to a cancellation of session.
  • If anyone, including providers, in the F2F environment reports a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, has been potentially exposed, displays COVID-19 like symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, the F2F session must be cancelled.
  • If anyone in the F2F environment fails to follow the CDC guidelines and school (if applicable) specific health and safety plan (unless with prior written approval and everyone in the F2F environment agrees that the F2F service can take place with people declining to wear mask), the F2F session may be cancelled. 

Travel

  • All providers must report travels outside of Pennsylvania to the COVID-19 Coordinator. In addition, contracting providers should also report planned future trips outside of Pennsylvania to the COVID-19 Coordinator.
  • Contracting providers are required to complete the incident report if they or anyone in their F2F environment traveled outside of Pennsylvania.
  • We will provide further guidance regarding return providing F2F services
  • We may request COVID-19 testing prior to providing F2F service.

Find the latest information about travel according to CDC Travel | CDC

Anti-Discrimination and Harassment

We will not tolerate discriminatory or harassment behavior towards our clients or contracting providers.  Any such behavior should be immediately reported to the COVID-19 Coordinator.

Simultaneously, if we receive a report of such behavior on the part of our providers, that behavior will also be immediately communicated, and action will be taken.

We also prohibit discharging or in any other way discriminating against providers for engaging in various occupational safety and health activities. We encourage our providers to raise concerns about infection control related to COVID-19.

Providers can confidentially report any COVID-19 related-concerns to the COVID-19 Coordinator to conduct the proper investigation.

Mental Health

As noted by CDC officials, mental health has been a concern from the beginning of the pandemic. If you are experiencing any issues that may affect your performance in providing services, contact the COVID-19 Coordinator.

Additional Information

In addition to the steps outlined above, we recommend all providers review all CDC guidelines and local and state requirements/regulations/recommendations. Below are some links to the CDC website and Pennsylvania state government. Please also look at your county specific guidelines for details regarding your local government.

  • CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

https://www.cdc.gov/

  • Commonwealth of PA

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

https://www.pa.gov