Coronavirus Information
General Information
Starting Monday March 23rd, all Systems Unlimited offices and Day Programs will be closed to the public until at least June 14th. We will re-evaluate the situation and risk to the people we serve at that time. We appreciate your support during this time.
For more information regarding Systems Unlimited’s response to this pandemic, as well as general resources and updates for staff, check out the following links.
While monitoring the state website, we have noticed over the past two weeks a trend downward and consistently under 5% of infection rate in the counties we serve. Due to this, we feel it is time to move on to Phase 2 of re-opening. Please see below for Phase 2 guidelines. The Program Services Departments will be moving to phase 2 as of this Wednesday June 10th. This does not change or affect the office opening plan.
Hello Friends of Systems,
We could use your help. There continues to be a shortage of personal protective equipment such as masks in our communities as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We would like to provide each staff and individuals we serve with their own personal face masks. In order to do that as quickly as possible, we will need our amazing community support. If you know how to sew and would be willing to make them for us, please follow the link below for the pattern.
Some of our staff have already started sewing these and they used 100% cotton and 100% flannel fabric (one piece of each). Once they are completed, please email us at supplies@sui.org where we will set up a time to collect them. For questions about masks, please contact Jolene Sorenson at jolene.sorenson@sui.org. Just a reminder, our offices are not open to the public. We thank you in advance for your assistance!
Latest Updates
March 17, 2021- Vaccination Resources
Systems recently finished its COVID-19 vaccine clinic. A total of 90.4% of the people we serve received the vaccine. Of our staff, 48.4% received the vaccine during the clinic which is pretty close to industry standards. This is a major accomplishment and we appreciate all the staff that helped to make it possible.
People we serve and staff are eligible to receive it according to the state’s roll out plan. However, due to national shortages, it still may be awhile before a vaccine becomes available.
Here are some links to help navigate getting one:
If interested in who is eligible for a vaccine and what tier the state is in for rollout, visit your local County Public Health website:
https://coronavirus-johnsoncounty.hub.arcgis.com/
https://washph.com/About-Us/News/COVID-19-News
https://www.linncounty.org/1494/COVID-19-Vaccine
https://www.iowacounty.org/departments/COVID-19/VaccineInformation
To find vaccine clinics and availability in your area:
https://twitter.com/iavaccinealerts
https://uihc.org/covid-19-vaccine-information
https://www.nucara.com/coronavirus
https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
November 13, 2020
We continue to see a large increase of cases in all of our service areas. To minimize the risk to the people we serve and our staff, we are taking the following precautions:
- All offices are closed to the public.
- SLS/Coordinators need to limit their time in the office to essential tasks only. We will be putting mailboxes at the front door in the Iowa City service center.
- Administrative services will be discussing a rotation of when people need to be in the offices so there is not as many people in at one time.
- CR ES is holding off on all group activities. Iowa City will still have limited group activities that will have housemates together. There may still be some 1:1 services and job coaching performed. Virtual day programming will continue.
- CR office front desk will be staffed between the hours of 10am-2pm.
- CQI will no longer be performing in person site reviews. We are working on a way to do virtual reviews.
- Everyone needs to limit in person meetings and meet virtually whenever possible.
These guidelines will be in place until the end of the year where we will re-evaluate at that time.
We currently have 6 sites in quarantine with several staff that have become ill. We also have one person that we serve that is most likely sick with COVID and will have results today. It is imperative that we limit our exposure to the public, wear masks and wash our hands. The people we serve are depending on us to keep them safe. We hope for a speedy recovery for all our staff that are sick.
Take care,
Management Team
November 10, 2020
Parents/Guardians of people served by Systems Unlimited Inc.,
With the rapidly increasing numbers, positivity rates, and hospitalizations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Systems Unlimited Inc. recognizes we will experience continuing staffing crises as people are exposed to the virus and become ill. It continues to be a time of heightened uncertainty and anxiety – for our staff, the individuals we serve and the communities in which we operate. We all must agree to support one another to get through one of the most challenging times in our society’s recent history.
Systems Unlimited Inc. wants to be completely transparent with all of our families about our agency’s plan to cope with COVID-19. We are encouraging all of our staff who are healthy to continue to come to work as usual, following all of our safety precautions and disinfecting routines. Right now, with day programs at limited capacity, schools going back on-line, and potential workplaces again closing, we are again struggling to staff people in their homes as we normally would. As our workforce continues to shrink, due to illness, exposure, and child care concerns, we will have to continue to adjust.
You may remember information being sent out at the beginning of the pandemic sharing that SUI has developed a consolidation plan, which involves the possibility of people we serve sharing housing so that they can be supported with fewer staff present. With the numbers continuing to increase, we are currently modifying this plan in case we have to use it. This is not ideal, we know, but very soon we may be facing a situation where this is unavoidable. We have to find a way to provide for the basic needs of those we serve while trying to reduce risks.
This consolidation plan will have the downside of creating additional exposure for our people. This is an important decision for families to be involved in and may be a decision that will need to be made quickly. We cannot guarantee that your family member can be cared for adequately in their current setting during this emergency. In the coming days or weeks, we may have to ask people to move into another site temporarily. If your family is in the position of being able to bring your loved one to your home for care, we ask you to consider this as an option in the coming days. To make the best possible plans for our people as a whole, we need to know if your family can support your loved one and for how long.
If your circumstances or desires have changed since we previously reached out to you regarding your preferences on alternative housing, please contact your SCL Coordinator to update that preference. These continue to be unprecedented times and we must consider all options for support over the coming days and months.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding,
Casey Westhoff
CEO
System Unlimited Inc.
September 9, 2020
Hello Parents and Guardians,
On September 9, 2020 the Iowa Department of Human Services published an informational letter explaining that HCBS service providers must make every effort to use the person centered planning process to make decisions about safety plans during the COVID pandemic, as opposed to more blanket plans and restrictions.
Person-centered planning is the heart of the work we do at Systems Unlimited Inc. Since the start of the pandemic, SUI has made a strong effort to address each person’s needs and preferences through the individual risk assessments and exception process, and we’re proud of how much creativity this has fostered in a nearly impossible situation. Prior to this notification from DHS, SUI had already been working to further promote the right of those we serve to make personal decisions and participate in the planning process, while teaching them about the public health responsibilities associated with those rights.
For many years, SUI has used a Personal Outcomes interview approach to discover the needs and preferences of the people we serve to inform the person-centered planning process. This is based, in part, on Iowa’s Outcomes for Waiver Services. We will continue to do this, while adding a specific focus on interviewing those we serve about their perceptions and needs related to the pandemic. We will explicitly ask people what they miss about their life before all of this happened, and we’ll work with them to develop and document plans for how each person can begin a “new normal” with safety and concern for the health of others in mind. You can expect that SUI staff will begin these conversations right away.
Here is what will be doing:
- We will be asking each person we serve what they miss doing before COVID began. We will be assessing if there are things they would like to do or people they would like to see. If someone is non-verbal, we will be asking the person that knows them best, which may also include you as a guardian.
- We will then put together what we feel are reasonable guidelines of community involvement that the person can do safely. We won’t require a team meeting for changes we can easily make when a person requests them, but the team can always choose to meet as needed or desired.
- Systems Unlimited Inc. Day Habilitation programs in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids are slowly re-opening. They will need to keep spacing and needs of the people we serve in consideration. If it is recommended that a person we serve start attending day hab programming, it will be in the assessment above and discussed. Due to pre-existing health and safety issues, teams may recommend it is not in the best interest for the person served to return to Day Habilitation in the near future.
Thank you for your understanding,
Systems Unlimited Inc. Management Team
June 26, 2020
Hello everyone,
Management team has been continuously monitoring the infection rate of COVID-19 in all of the counties we serve. Recently, there has been a steady increase of cases in almost all of our counties. The Gazette reported that on Thursday, 51 new coronavirus cases were reported in Johnson County. This is the second highest number of cases reported in one day since reporting began in mid-March.
Due to the increased rate of infections, we have decided that a return to more conservative measures is necessary. For services, we are returning to Phase 1 of the reopening plan. We have attached the phases for your review.
Previously requested exceptions for individuals receiving site service will need to be reconsidered. Work and external day program returns will need to be reviewed with the person’s team. Follow-up with the program directors is required for any individuals who want to continue working and/or attending their day program. SUI day programming will remain virtual with no in-person day programming being offered at this time. Hourly services will be reduced to essential services only.
For already approved home visits, we are still considering those approved with the disclaimer that the home visit cannot include accessing any community locations outside of the home. Phase 1 open air visits are still permitted, however we are now waiving the requirement of an exception for any high risk sites or persons served. Exceptions for the open air visits are no longer needed. We still ask that visitors are symptom free, have no known exposure to a person with COVID within the previous 14 days, agrees to wear a mask and will attempt to social distance as much as possible during the visit. Car rides to and from off-site open air visits still need to be provided by staff and not by the family, unless pre-approved.
As always, exceptions can be requested by contacting your Coordinator.
SUI offices will remain appointment only.
We appreciate your understanding as we attempt to keep everyone we serve safe.
Be well,
Management Team
COVID-19 Tracking Data
Check out the following link, to see the agency’s tracking data that is being used to make decisions:
April 28, 2020 Announcement
Management team has made the difficult decision to keep our day programs and office buildings closed until at least May 31st. We will re-evaluate the situation and risk to the people we serve at the end of May. We appreciate your support during this time.
April 17, 2020
Hello friends and families of Systems Unlimited,
Cedar Rapids and Monticello service areas are part of the region that Governor Reynolds issued stricter mitigation steps due to reaching a ‘10’ on her scale. Our other service areas remain at a ‘9’. While not much will change in how we provide services, the Governor ordered that all gatherings outside of immediate household members will cease until April 30th. Due to this, we are not allowing any visitors to any of our homes or people we serve to leave their homes to visit anyone in the Cedar Rapids/Monticello service area. If you believe you have an exception, please contact your Program Director.
We appreciate your continued support as we abide by the Governor’s recommendations and attempt to keep everyone we serve safe.
Take care,
Casey Westhoff
Executive Director
April 9, 2020
Please see the link below regarding Systems latest press due to COVID-19.
March 26th, 2020
Staff, Family and Friends of Systems Unlimited,
We had hoped to re-open Day Habilitation and offices to the public on April 6th. Due to the recent projections of potential infections, we have decided to close until at least May 4th and will reassess around that time. The safety of the people we serve and our staff remains a priority. Management team continues to meet daily to problem solve issues as they come up from a state, local and agency level. We will continue to keep you updated through email and our website at https://www.sui.org/covid-19-information/
Again, thank you for your support during these times.
Casey
March 24th, 2020
Parents/Guardians of people served by Systems Unlimited,
On March 17th, I sent you an update on the agency plan’s to cope with the coronavirus (COVID-19). The update was primarily regarding if our consolidation plan for home based Supported Community Living (SCL) services were to be fully or partially implemented. You may find a copy of that email and previous agency updates on this topic at: www.sui.org/covid-19-information/ We will regularly update this site to communicate changes and notices on this topic.
Today, I wanted to update you on further action that Systems Unlimited is taking to protect your family member. All Supported Community Living sites, effective immediately, will be asked to restrict all visitors to the home. We realize that many families have already been restricting or limiting your visits to the homes of your family member. However, we will now be asking that your visits be restricted, unless absolutely necessary, to help ensure the well being of your family member, their roommates and our staff. If you do plan on visiting (and I know this may be necessary for some of the people we serve) we would ask you contact the site SCL Coordinator in advance to make plans. If you prefer to take your loved one home, we ask that you follow strict CDC recommendations and help minimize the risk of further spread.
Systems Unlimited recognizes that there will be some visitors to SCL homes which could include medication, grocery, and supply deliveries. We would ask these deliveries be placed at the door without the driver needing to come inside the home.
You may know that SUI is conducting regular daily checks of your family member to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Each day, staff are asked to check the temperature of the individuals at the home and report any other symptoms of concerns. In the event your loved one becomes ill for any reason or there is a matter that needs your attention, you will be contacted immediately.
Finally, please know that Systems Unlimited is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your loved one during these challenging times. Our dedicated workforce has been truly remarkable in their willingness to put aside fear and uncertainty, wanting to make sure the people we serve are safe and healthy.
We continue to appreciate your support as we work through this together.
Sincerely,
Casey Westhoff
Executive Director
March 20th, 2020
below is a notification from our Executive Director, Casey Westhoff
In further response to the national COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to temporarily close all Systems Unlimited Inc. offices effective March 23rd. There is no date established for when offices will reopen. When possible, staff are being asked to work remotely and follow the social distance guidelines established by the CDC.
We recognize a few staff may prefer to work from office locations. Staff must request and be granted this approval from your Department Director. A few staff will be supporting the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids offices to monitor and distribute mail and supplies. Staff who must visit offices to get needed supplies, mail, etc. are asked to keep these visits short in duration to the extent possible. Some office staff may be reassigned to provide temporary support to individuals in our SCL sites.
Systems Unlimited Inc. is monitoring options that may be provided by the state and federal governments to provide temporary relief to individuals and employees throughout the country. Our agency is also considering options to offer ALL of our staff who may be impacted by the pandemic. We will be providing more information as it becomes available in the coming days.
We recognize that the majority of staff are still being asked ‘to report to work as usual.’ Please know SUI fully recognizes the challenges and stress employees face as you support individuals to maintain a safe, healthy and happy life. Your willingness to work and dedication to those we serve during this unprecedented time in history is truly appreciated.