COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness – The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence.

Important Vaccine Updates

• Please use the following link to register for the Covid-19 vaccine: Vaccines.gov
• Divine Providence Village is no longer administering vaccines.
Thank you and stay safe.

• Click here to read the Reopening-Implementation Policy for The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence (PDF).

DGDP Medical Director Dr. Brian Friedrich explains the COVID 19 Vaccine

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June 25, 2020

I am happy to report that we have had no new cases for our residents or staff in the past 5 weeks in The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence.

We continue to follow guidance from the Health Department, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the state regarding the lifting of restrictions and re-opening of our programs. While residential programs have remained open, our Day Programs, located at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Secane, have been closed. We are planning to reopen the Day Programs in incremental stages beginning 7/13/20.

As an organization, we are excited to reunite our families with their loved ones during pre-scheduled outside visits. Our policy for visitation has been created as well as guidelines for visitors coming to our programs. The visitor policy is based on adherence to best practices provided by the Health Department, ODP and the Governor. We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our individuals, staff and family members. These guidelines for visitation will remain in place and will be amended as changes to recommendations are made by the Health Department, ODP or the state.

The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence continue to modify our Emergency Preparedness Plan and Pandemic policy and guidelines. These plans are constantly changing and being assessed by our Administrative teams.

I am thankful for the dedication of our staff, nurses, management and administrative teams that have supported our efforts to keep our residents and staff safe and our families informed. Their actions truly demonstrate our core values and our mission.

Fran Swiacki
Director of The Developmental Programs Division

For more information about the coronavirus, you can visit:

March 17, 2020
CORONAVIRUS Update

This is an update on what we are doing as an organization to respond to this health crisis. While there are no current cases of anyone with the COVID-19 within the Developmental Programs Division, we must still be exceedingly vigilant to protect one another and avoid infection. Therefore, I urge you to strictly follow the measures and precautions outlined below.

To continue to reduce exposure and mitigate risks, we have implemented the following preventative practices:

Employees who display signs of COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough or shortness of breath) are required to stay home until fully recovered and without symptoms for at least 24 hours. All employees will have their temperature checked during the screening process prior to them starting work.
We are not allowing any outside visitors or family visits at any of our facilities at this time.
Client home visits are restricted for the time being. Clients who go home will be required to stay home until these restrictions have been removed (this time will be counted towards therapeutic leave days).
Our Lady of Fatima is closed through 3/27/20. Direct care staff who want to continue to work will be offered shifts at the various programs in the division that are still operating.
Essential and non-essential staff are expected to report to work. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis to evaluate if a non-essential staff can work from home.
We are discouraging staff from visiting CDC-designated Level 3 affected countries/areas for nonessential travel. Currently, these countries include China, Iran, South Korea and most of Europe. If an employee is currently traveling in a CDC-designated Level 3 affected area, upon returning to work, they will be required to complete a 14 day incubation period at home to monitor their health. Human Resources will interview all employees who plan to travel outside of the country.

Senior management is meeting daily to keep up with new developments, guidelines and strictures from local, state and the federal governments, and concretely focusing on how to protect clients and staff. I will continue to update you as all this unfolds.

I’d like express my gratitude to everyone for your diligence, flexibility and calm in the face of this extraordinary crisis. My team and I are so proud of you and your commitment to mission no matter what the circumstances. May God bless you all.

Fran Swiacki,
Director of The Developmental Programs

As a reminder, the CDC recommends everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and/or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Discard tissue immediately into a closed bin.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Stay home when you are sick
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

For more information about the coronavirus, including specific information on symptoms, complications, transmission, prevention and treatment, you can visit: