STATE OF WASHINGTON



center31912900STATE OF WASHINGTONDEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICESAging and Long-Term Support AdministrationHome and Community Services DivisionPO Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-560019043651866900HCS MANAGEMENT BULLETIN00HCS MANAGEMENT BULLETINH20-107 – Policy & ProcedureDecember 18, 2020TO:Area Agency on Aging (AAA) DirectorsFROM:Bea Rector, Director, Home and Community Services DivisionSUBJECT:Older Americans Act Nutrition Program-Congregate Meal Site Phase 4 Reopening Guidance Purpose:Provide Safe Start information and reopening guidance for Older Americans Act Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) congregate meal program Sites.Background:During the COVID-19 state of emergency congregate meal sites were closed to reduce exposure and infection spread risks for SNP participants, providers and volunteers. SNP congregate programs were modified to provide takeout or home delivered meals.What’s new, changed, or Clarified:The Senior Nutrition Program Guidance for Congregate Meal Sites was reviewed and approved by the Department of Health (DOH). It follows the current DOH recommendation that prior to Phase 4 of the Safe Start Plan, congregate meal programs serving individuals at high risk instead provide meals through pick-up, drive-through, or delivery services.In preparation for Phase 4 reopening of congregate meal sites the Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) will need to develop as Safe Start Safety Plan and associated procedures consistent with the Phase 4 Safe Start template. Prior to re-opening SNP’s will consult with the local health jurisdiction (LHJ) about county specific requirements or restrictions. SNP congregate meal site re-opening guidance includes the current COVID-19 requirements from Safe Start, the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Labor of Industries.SNP Guidance includes DOH COVID-19 guidance for health screening, food workers and restaurants; Department of Labor and Industries COVID-19 workplace guidance The SNP will also need to comply with the DOH COVID-19 Phase 4 Guidance for Restaurants as well as the current SNP Standards for food and meal site safety.Senior Nutrition Programs must also ensure social distancing for employees, volunteers and program participants; frequent and adequate employee handwashing; and that sick employees, volunteers and participants stay home. SNP’s must also provide basic workplace hazard education about coronavirus and how to prevent transmission in the language best understood by the employee or volunteer. ACTION:Review the SNP Guidance and distribute to contracted SNP congregate meal program providers.The Safe Start safety plan must outline how the SNP will prevent the spread of COVID-19 that is at least as protective as the requirements from the Department of Labor and Industries. The plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency or Local Health Jurisdiction for approval but must be retained on the premises of the business and must be made available to the Washington State regulatory agencies or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.Given SNP’s have a high reliance on volunteers it is strongly recommended that all Safe Start, Department of Labor and Industries and related DOH requirements for employees are also applied to volunteers.It is understood that out of an abundance of caution some SNP’s in consultation with the Area Agency on Aging may choose to reopen at a slower pace when their county moves into Phase 4. Those SNP’s may continue to provide take-out meals following established protocols.RELATED REFERENCES: NoneATTACHMENT(S):CONTACT(S):Rosemary Biggins, State Unit on Aging Program Manager(360)725-2466Rosemary.Biggins@dshs. ................
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