UCP of the North Bay
Adult Day Program Update
May 22, 2020
Helping Participants through Personal Connection
“UCP of the North Bay would like to reassure our participants, family members, and the community that we are doing everything possible to stay socially connected by providing online training and education programs that support the continued health and well-being of the children and adults that we serve.”
On March 16, UCP of the North Bay stopped providing on-site and community-based programs in compliance with the Shelter-in-Place order. Our Adult Day Programs shifted immediately to contacting our participants daily, posting our first weekly Adult Day Program Update on our website on March 20. By the following week, we had transitioned to providing our new Outreach Program. By April 10, all of our Adult Day Programs had transitioned to online classes and by the following week we were using our own Zoom Business Account.
We submitted our Alternative Services Outreach Program Design and Adult Day Program Update to North Bay Regional Center on April 10. On April 17, we submitted our first Outreach Program Metrics, which we have continued to prepare and submit weekly along with our Adult Day Program Update. We have developed several online methods of gathering and analyzing data that allow us to document and report on daily participant contact, online class participation, and participant wellness.
Six new participants joined our online classes this week. One of our staff members is setting up 12 new Amazon Fire Tablets for easy use by the participants that will be receiving their tablets this week. He has also prepared an instructional guide and included his phone number for support. Our staff members are continuing to drop-off needed supplies including masks, toilet paper, and food to participant homes in Fairfield, Vacaville, Napa, Vallejo, and Benicia. We have also provided information about food bank and food pantry availability and food distribution, as well as supplies for arts and crafts activities. Dropping off supplies also provides an opportunity for personal connection using safe physical distancing.
We added more participants to our online classes during the past week and we expect our numbers to increase further as we distribute new Amazon Fire Tablets from Giving Tuesday. In Work Safety and Preparedness, we covered current expectations, personal protective equipment, and physical distancing. In Social Skills in the Workplace, we covered appropriate conversation and etiquette at work and on Zoom.
In Life Skills and Social Studies, we talked about how to prepare for a job interview. In Healthy Habits, we talked about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast. In Relaxation and Stress Management, we discussed the importance of exercise and led exercises during class. Our Personal Health and Safety class continues to focus on maintaining proper health including mental health during times of stress and anxiety
We have added a special online class for our participants who have sensory support needs. It is taught by our Program Manager and Program Coordinator and focuses on life and social skills with four to five participants. We are also planning a Parent/Caregiver Meeting on Wednesday, May 27 to discuss the services and supports that we are offering and to answer any questions.
We have delivered three Amazon Fire Tablets to participants that need the new devices to attend our online classes. We also delivered a large specialty tablet (24” x 18”) to one participant who has vision challenges. She was unable to see everyone on Zoom using her small laptop, which was causing a now resolved problem for her to participate.
The Senior Adult Program is delivering two Amazon Fire Tablets to participants this week. This will allow them to participate in our online classes with the rest of our participants. We added a History class, which was a big hit with participants who really enjoy the online social gatherings. Our staff members that drive participants to and from our site-based program participated in a training class this week to stay current with safe driving practices.
Group Supported Employment staff members are reporting to job sites without the support of their work crews during shelter-in-place. They are performing the job duties of their work crews until such time as they are allowed to safely return. Our staff members are offering daily online classes on careers, safety, and other work related topics. Individual Supported Employment Job Coaches are continuing to support participants with both online and work site assistance.
