A Message to ROI/GLC employees, individuals, families, and other customers – updated 05/22/2020

As part of the State of Michigan’s ongoing response to the spread of COVID-19, outside visitors to ALL of ROI’s clinical and administrative programs, including families of individuals served, continue to be restricted.  This action is taken in response to an Executive Order that we received 03/14/2020 and continues to be in effect through revisions and updates, as well as current recommendations from health officials – details are below.

For ROI/GLC Residential Programs:  Under Executive Order 2020-6, all healthcare facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities must continue to prohibit any visitors who are not necessary for medical care, support of activities of daily living like bathing or eating, or that are not visiting under emergency circumstances.  ROI program supervisors continue to work with families to maintain contact with their loved ones via telephone and/or video conferencing where possible while the Executive Order remains in effect.

For GLC Autism Outpatient Programs: Autism outpatient services were deemed “essential” by the State of Michigan throughout this pandemic.  We chose to close our programs at the same time the Governor ordered the closure of public schools.  On May 18th the Lawrence Autism Center implemented a partial re-opening with strict cleaning protocols as well as risk assessments for our staff, the children we support and their families.  The Heersma Autism Center remains closed at this time.

For ROI Administrative Programs:  For the safety of our staff and all of the clients we serve, ROI Administrative buildings remain closed to the general public and the conduct of in-person business is by appointment only. Individuals served by ROI’s Representative Payee program will be granted access to the building lobby on Thursdays between 1pm and 5pm for the normal distribution of Payee transactions.  Affordable housing tenant issues and applicants continue to be handled through appointment only or via phone.  Applications for affordable housing can be faxed to 269-343-2940. Routine ROI business will continue to be conducted by phone, email, and/or video conferencing as applicable during normal business hours.

ALL ROI programs continue to assess for COVID-19 symptoms (acute respiratory illness symptoms) and risk factors for all individuals not under our care who are seeking entry into our programs.  ​All ​ROI programs must deny entry to any individual with these symptoms or risk factors. We understand this continues to be very stressful for everyone.  We are making changes daily as we learn how to interpret directives from governmental entities and focus on protecting the health of everyone involved.  Please continue to ask us questions.  We will get answers as quickly as we can if we don’t know immediately.

In an effort to keep us all safe, throughout the organization we are practicing social distancing to the extent possible (while continuing to provide necessary personal care), wearing masks, increasing surface cleaning and keeping ourselves apprised of Federal and State orders and recommendations. We continue to be amazed and appreciative of the support from our community for ROI and those we support.  Thank you.

Should you have any questions regarding COVID-19, I encourage you to visit the following websites:

CDC:  CDC.gov/Coronavirus
State of Michigan:  Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
Federal information: Coronavirus.gov

Sincerely,

Scott Schrum
Chief Executive Officer

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