Important CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Advisory
BRIDGES, Inc., is responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak to protect our clients, staff members, families, vendors, and community partners. Ensuring persons served are cared for in a safe and healthy environment is our greatest concern. This update is meant to keep you informed of our response to this unimaginable pandemic and to urge everyone to heed the requirements and recommendations of the experts, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the California Department of Public Health and our County, and local government agencies, to help slow the transmission, flatten the curve, and save human life.
Though social distancing has modified the way we conduct our essential business, we will continue to stay operational to meet the continuing needs of our clients and the mental health community during this global health crisis.
To this end, our corporate/administrative office has remained open to maintain critical business functions during the hours of 8:00 am– 4:30 pm Monday - Friday. We are continuing to evaluate the needs, and this may be adjusted if determined necessary and in the best interest of our community. BRIDGES is staying current with all new recommendations from CDC, as well as California and LA County Departments of Public Health and Mental Health, and related health orders issued. Regular communication with staff and clients, as well as ongoing training take place as policies and procedures may need to be modified rapidly. Clients and staff are being regularly monitored to ensure all are healthy and safe, and social distancing and sanitizing measures are in place.
Our residential programs remain open continuing to address our clients’ housing and treatment needs. All staff are working hard to keep the campus healthy and safe by mitigating, to the extent possible, risk of exposure to the virus. We are doing this by screening for symptoms daily, suspending or limiting group activity, suspending or limiting family style meals, restricting or limiting all non-essential visitations to the site when public health guidance indicates the need to do so, along with a number of other necessary protocols implemented to keep everyone safe.
We understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important. Visitation for BRIDGES residential programs will be subject to the infection rate and spread of COVID-19 in the County of Los Angeles where we are located. All visitors must provide proof of vaccination or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the visit, especially for indoor visitation. Outdoor visitation is highly recommended for all regardless of vaccination status. If you are not vaccinated, your visit will be outdoors only. Upon arrival to the campus, all visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will be screened by BRIDGES staff. Temperature check will be completed in a non-contact manner and screening questions will be asked. When established that the visitor is “cleared” to visit, contact information will be obtained and included on the screening form.
There are still a variety of other ways visitors might consider connecting with their loved ones. These include telephone, email, text, or through video conferencing and social media apps. We will do what we can to support these alternative ways to communicate.
Community clients seen in our outpatient programs are continuing to receive mental health services via secure telehealth platforms or in person. Each individual’s need and situation is assessed for appropriateness of telehealth or in person sessions. This includes individual therapy, psychiatry and medication management, case management, peer support, and crisis intervention, not including emergencies.
Screening, intake, and admission will also continue during this time. Though services may look a little different during this time, and we are adjusting to new ways of doing things, we are proud to say that our clients and staff continue to be successful in their journeys to recovery and well-being.
Our locations are following the recommendations of the CDC and the requirements of the Department of Social Services on prevention strategies, including wearing surgical face masks or N95 masks, following strict handwashing procedures, social distancing and disinfecting surfaces often. We are staying up to date with the CDC recommendations as they continue to change. In addition, we are in close contact with the local and state health departments and are following their guidance.
At BRIDGES we are sensitive to the emotional and social needs of our community during a time of crisis. Know that we are here, we are available, and we are ready to provide the services that are greatly needed during this time.
For additional information, please visit the CDC COVID-19 information page @ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
If you are in need of services, please give us a call at 818-657-0411 for the San Fernando Valley area, or 626-350-5304 for the San Gabriel Valley area.
