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This fall, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals announced that it would be conducting a comprehensive campaign across the country to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among direct support professionals. This initiative is part of a cooperative agreement with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During this year-long campaign, NADSP is launching a variety of outreach activities including fact sheets, blogs, podcasts, and the production of public service announcements (PSAs).
In November, NADSP’s Director of Educational Services, John Raffaele, worked with filmmaker Jerry Smith and producer Pete McCauley of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to capture some important and thought-provoking conversations.
This video is the first of many PSAs featuring DSPs, family members, and people receiving supports who shared varying perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination. Uwvie Obodo, a direct support professional at the Center for Family Support in New York City, shares his experience below.
To learn more about John’s experiences during the first phase of filming, and the new insight he gained into why 26% of DSPs remain unvaccinated, visit the “Read More” section.
COVID-19 Webinars
Since the onset of COVID-19, NADSP has hosted a number of webinars about the pandemic — specifically covering its relationship to the role and responsibilities of direct support professionals.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on safe ways to celebrate the holidays. Currently across the United States, an increase in COVID-19 infections is being reported. Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant of concern, is highly contagious, was first detected last month, and has now been reported in 89 countries. As of December 20, 2021, Omicron has been detected in most states and territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing.
Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
The CDC reminds us of the tools to fight Omicron:
Vaccines
Masks
Testing
Message from Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP:
On Friday evening, the Sixth Circuit lifted the stay on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The ETS states that any employer with more than 100 employees must require its employees to either show proof of a COVID vaccination or submit to weekly testing and mask at all times when indoors. In the absence of a Supreme Court ruling to the contrary, the ETS will go into effect, and employers will be required to adhere to its standards. Read the article here.
GKH attorneys are closely monitoring the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to post updates and resources for individuals and businesses.