We would like to communicate a general update on the status of having clients return to work in our ProPak Packaging and Assembly division of Weaver Industries.
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) released guidelines on Friday, May 8th 2020 to outline a process for a slow return to work in congregate work settings, which includes all ProPak locations (vocational habilitation settings).
See below for link to Guidelines:
Guidance: Update to Day and Transportation Services Related to ODH Order
The process includes multiple steps for SSA’s and teams to work through, in order to take every individuals’ personal situation into consideration while assessing the risks and benefits of having them return to work. The process also includes “Provider Assurances” forms, which are documents that require providers to attest to a standardized system of protocols and processes that are designed to guide a slow return to facility-based environments - while keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible.
Aside from the DODD process, I want to clearly state that each client’s return to work at Weaver ProPak is each individual and his/her teams decision. All of us at Weaver will do our best to outline all of our new safety guidelines but ultimately it is your decision as to when you want to return to ProPak. There will be no punitive or negative consequences of your decision. We want you back when you and your team are comfortable coming back.
Weaver is working with county boards and their SSA’s to get the process started with clients, their teams and the risk/benefit analysis. The SSA’s will then let Weaver know who is interested and/or able to return to work at their designated ProPak work location. We are still working with DODD on a few areas. One area is how transportation services can be delivered and what types of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required, as well as how many people can be transported per vehicle or van.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to give a start date or any schedule for ProPak clients to return to work. We will continue to communicate with you through our staff and/or through your SSA’s to keep you informed as things change.
Thank you for your patience as we know many of you are anxious to return to work. It’s critical that we do this right and keep everyone safe.
Our Executive Director Jeff Johnson was invited to provide testimony before the Ohio Senate Health Committee on the House Bill 110, which is set to create budget appropriations for FY 2022-2023.
Seth, a Weaver Community Employment employee who works at The Schaeffler Group, has always been very active in his community. Learn how he represents Ohio at Special Olympics Capital Hill Day.
If there is one thing we can take away from 2020, it is the concept of “unity.” This past year has been difficult for many; but, as Weaver continues to work through it, we truly believe that we are all “In This Together.”