COVID-19 STAFF UPDATES
The health and safety of our community and the JFS Team of staff and volunteers is our top priority. Please check this page regularly for updates regarding impacts to services due to COVID-19 and what you are asked to do to help curb the spread in our communities.
We are closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) health situation and we are taking action based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health, San Diego County Public Health. As public health recommendations shift to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus in San Diego, we will be proactive in taking action.
Benefits updates:
3/30: New COVID-19 Leave Options
Please review the information (links are below) carefully so that you know what support is available. If you need any time off due to COVID-19, please reach out to your manager, Ilan Elkabetz or Alyssa Miceli to discuss as soon as possible.
3/17: Anthem’s affiliated health plans announced additional updates and resources that can help provide increased access to care, while eliminating costs and helping alleviate the added stress on individuals, families and the nation’s healthcare system. Updates for members of its affiliated health plans:
- Access to Virtual Care and Development of a Coronavirus Assessment via Anthem’s Sydney Care Mobile App. Click here to download.
- Additionally, effective immediately, Anthem’s affiliated health plans will implement the following changes in Access to Testing and Medical Care, Medication, and Virtual Care.
As Anthem continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 developments, we remain committed to all of those we serve. Anthem customers can rest assured that we are taking steps to ensure our operations remain uninterrupted, while ensuring the health and safety of our associates.
IMPORTANT: Read the full notice here.
Staffing updates:
NEW! 4/3 Facial Protection Requirements:
Effective immediately all staff working on onsite at any location must wear cloth facial protection. This does not need to be hospital grade but should cover the nose and mouth. Homemade masks, bandanas, scarves and neck gaiters are acceptable since these items can be washed and reused. We are working to distribute boxes of bandannas in the lobbies of each building—please take one when you get to campus, if you don’t already have a facial covering from home. You can (and should) keep the bandanna and wash it frequently. Read the Requirements here.
IMPORTANT: As of Monday, March 16 all staff who have the ability to work from home should start to do so until further notice. Please work with your manager and/or program director on details.
Resources for Working Remotely
Current status of programs and events (last updated 3/20). All changes will remain in place until further notice
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3/20: The Governor announced and ordered all Californians to shelter in place. Californians can leave their homes for essential work, to get food, to get health care, to care for a relative and go on walks (highly encouraged 😉). Some of our services and operations, as already identified over the last few weeks, are considered essential and will continue – Safe Parking, Nutrition, Shelter for Asylum Seeking Families, OTG and some other staff who are support functions facilities, administrative staff, accounting, IT. For those areas still reporting to work on site, we have shifted to as few people as possible, while also being able to meet the needs of the community.
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3/20: US Citizenship and Immigration Office closes offices through April 1st. JFS staff are calling all clients with pending appointments, fingerprints, and oath ceremonies.
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3/20: U.S./Mex. Border shut down for non-essential travel; work-related is permitted. MPP cases postponed at SD Immigration Court from March, 20, 2020 – March 27, 2020.
- 3/18: Palm Springs has issued a shelter in place order. Desert programs outreach has been suspended. Case management (for both HUD and IEHP clients) will proceed by telephone. Housing coordinator services will be done on urgent and emergency basis only
- 3/18: EITC Tax site at Mission Gorge is closed per IRC. Clients will be referred to 211 to get connected with another EITC tax service provider and get an appointment.
- 3/18: Immigration Services service delivery continues via phone/web-based (TBD) solutions. Immigration Court hearings (detained and non-detained) continue. Attorneys and reps. will exercise due caution when attending hearings until otherwise cancelled. Legal services continue at the migrant family shelter. Immigration visits to Otay Mesa Detention Center have been suspended for new cases.
- 3/18: Fix-It services have been temporarily suspended. Staff has been redeployed to On The Go/Foodmobile.
- 3/18: Calls no longer answered after 5:00pm, and no lobby staff or curbside food delivery after 5:00pm
- 3/18: Diaper pick up now limited to Friday 10-11 only by appointment.
- 3/15: Due to new guidance from both the State and the Gov. most services not deemed critical will be telephonic or temporarily suspended. Please see your supervisor for questions related to your program.
- 3/15: The lobby in 8788 and related service appointments will be moving to Room 214 (Multi-Purpose Room) to allow more space
- 3/15: Campus visits will only accommodate appointments for critical immigration, case management visits. Drop-in visits to any location not related to food/basic needs will be redirected to phone based support
- 3/15: Corner Market appointments will be limited to bag distribution in cars starting Tuesday 3/17
- Immigration visits to Otay Mesa Detention Center have been suspended for new cases. Currently looking into telephonic solutions
- 3/15: On the Go is reduced to medically critical rides only. Staff and volunteers are asked to evaluate their health conditions and report to their supervisors any concerns and modify their schedules accordingly.
- 3/15: Foodmobile continues in operations with an expectation of increased requests for services. Staff and volunteers are asked to evaluate their health conditions and report to their supervisors any concerns and modify their schedules accordingly.
- 3/15: Fix It continues under modified operations, providing outdoor repairs and delivery of durable medical equipment, groceries and home delivered meals where applicable.
- 3/15: Desert Programs: Outreach has been suspended and case management (for both HUD and IEHP clients) will proceed by telephone and extremely limited in person visits as needed
- 3/14: Drop-in visits to any location not related to food/basic needs will be redirected to phone based support
- 3/14: Curbside food pantry deliveries will be made for clients with symptoms
- 3/14: Immigration visits to Otay Mesa Detention Center have been suspended for new cases. Currently looking into telephonic solutions
- 3/14: Migrant Family Shelter tours and non-critical visitors are limited; additional health protocols are in place
- 3/14: Patient Advocacy hospital visits have been suspended
- 3/14: All in-office client/counseling visits and groups will be limited. Breaking Down Barriers, Case Management and Counseling staff will be redeployed for additional phone-based support
- 3/14: Positive Parenting Program has suspended in-school support. Work will be limited to telephonic sessions and assessments
- 3/14: Balboa Avenue Older Adult Center is suspended
- 3/14: College Avenue Center is suspended until further notice. Congregate meals will shift to home delivered meals
- 3/14: Out & About is suspended until further notice
- 3/14: Excursions & Shuttles is suspended until further notice
- 3/14: The Your Voice: A Youth Activism Conference event scheduled for March 15, 2020 is postponed. Date TBA.
- 3/14: The Aging With Resilience event scheduled for March 22, 2020 is canceled.
Sick time policy updates, effective immediately.
The following changes are temporary and will stay in effect until further notice.
- The 90 day introductory waiting period for new staff will be waived, allowing new employees to use sick time immediately.
- Staff will be allowed to go into the negative on sick time up to 5 days (or the equivalent of 5 days of work for non-full time staff)
- Negative sick time will go into effect after all accrued sick and vacation time is used.
- You will be allowed to use sick time if you are quarantined due to potential exposure to COVID-19.
In addition, the state of California has added a COVID-19 diagnosis and/or quarantine due to exposure to the eligibility for short term disability pay, and caring for a sick or quarantined family member to paid family leave eligibility (both with certification from a medical doctor). If you are diagnosed, quarantined or need to care for a family member HR will work through the application process with you.
What you need to know
- If you are sick and come to work, you will be sent home. If you’re concerned about taking sick time or don’t have enough to cover your time off, please reach out to your manager or HR.
- If you have a live-in family member or roommate who is sick with cold or flu symptoms, please stay home as a precaution. You will be allowed to use sick time if you’re staying home because you’re taking precautions to help keep your colleagues and clients healthy. Please reach out to HR with questions.
- An update has been made the Emergency Procedures, which now includes a “Pandemic Outbreak” section.
- Increased cleaning has been coordinated on the main campus and satellite locations.
- Additional hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes have been placed in common areas. Please be considerate of your colleagues—use them and return them to where you found them.
What we need you to do
- Stay home if you are sick or have a live-in family member or roommate who is sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Please wipe down any equipment after use in conference rooms (e.g., keyboard, mouse, remote, etc.). Consider wiping door handles on your way out.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
More Information
For the latest information on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19, here are some resources:
