Has your program made policy, procedural changes, training videos or other materials due to COVID-19 that are working well? Please share these changes with ADI so that we can share it on this website for all programs. Let's support each other through these difficult times. 

Thank you so much to our members for sharing their policies, templates and procedures, so everyone can benefit!  We are stronger together!

Standard Modification Update - February 5, 2020

In March, ADI announced a modification to ADI Standard 8.14 regarding in-person follow-up care for military-related PTSD veteran clients. ADI modified this in-person requirement to allow the standard to be achieved digitally with a few guidelines. These guidelines include:
  1. Two-way digital communication through video conferencing platforms such as Skype, Doxy.me (HIPPA compliant), Facetime, GoToMeeting, Zoom, Whatsapp, etc. or the telephone. Video conferencing is preferred and assessors may request an explanation why telephone was selected over video conferencing. Receiving a written report via email or mail from the client will not this requirement.
  2. The program's written report documenting this client follow-up visit must include the method of communication used.
  3. The program's written report from this follow-up visit must include the statement that it was conducted digitally due to the Coronavirus COVID-19.
The change to digital follow-up was originally set to expire October 1, 2020. The ADI Board of Directors approved the extension of this deadline to October 1, 2021. Programs can continue to complete their follow-up care for Veteran clients digitally through October 1, 2021. Unless otherwise announced, starting October 2, 2021, program must resume in-person follow-up care, as dictated by Standard 8.14.

2020 Accreditation Surveys Update - August 26, 2020

Earlier this year, ADI announced that all on-site accreditation surveys for 2020 would not occur before October 1, 2020. The ADI Board of Directors decided not to broadly extend that date further past the October 1st deadline. This decision was made to reflect that COVID-19 is affecting different parts of the world at different rates; making traveling safety highly dependent upon region. After October 1st, on-site surveys will be decided on a case-by-case basis with each program, ADI's Accreditation Coordinator and the assigned assessor(s). On-site surveys will only be conducted in areas where all three parties agree it is safe to do so. If one party does not feel it is safe, then the on-site survey will be put on hold until all parties feel it is safe. Assessors and the program may agree to conduct interviews of staff, volunteers, clients and board members virtually in advance of the on-site survey in order to shorten the amount of time spent at the program's location.
 
ADI is aware of the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis and our top priority is the safety of our programs, their staff, volunteers and clients, as well as the safety of our assessors.
 
All programs will be required to give their COVID-19 safety plans (cleaning procedures, staff and volunteer precautions being taken, etc) to the assessor prior to the on-site visit.

Resources from ADI NA Town Hall Meeting 7/14/2020

US Travel Restrictions Website

Free Captioning Tool

Pattern for Clear Mask Tutorial

COVID-19 Health Questionnaire

ADI COVID-19 Standard Guidance - May 14 2020

On May 14, 2020 the ADI Board determined, due to the COVID-19 crisis, any program that is due for their ADI accreditation survey in 2020 must submit their preliminary paperwork (Pre-Packet) by the originally assigned due date unless the program submits a written request for an extension to the Accreditation Coordinator, Laura Hilbert at [email protected].  Requests for extensions must include specific reasons as to how COVID-19 has affected the program’s operations. Extension requests for on Pre-Packet paperwork will not be granted beyond October 1, 2020.

Additionally, the assigned assessor(s) will work with your program to determine a mutually agreeable date for the on-site portion of the accreditation survey when both parties feel it is safe to do so. All on-site surveys for programs due in 2020 must be completed by July 1, 2021. ADI is currently evaluating and assessing how portions of the accreditation process can be completed virtually.

ADI is aware of the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis and its varying effects on different areas of the world; any program that feels it cannot meet these deadlines must contact Laura Hilbert, ADI Accreditation Coordinator, before any assigned deadlines. 

ADI COVID-19 Standards Guidance 5-14-2020

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 Guidance for Handlers of Service and Therapy Animals

The CDC has released their guidance for handlers of service and therapy animals. This article can be found here. 

Virtual Graduations 

Many ADI programs are shifting to virtual graduations due to the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some examples. 

NEADS graduation

Can Do Canines graduation

Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society graduation

Amazon Audible Free during COVID-19

Amazon is making available a number audible stories free for everyone whilst schools are closed. Books are available in different languages.

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

ADI Standards Modification Due to COVID-19

ADI has suspended the standard requirement for in-person client follow-up visits for all types of assistance dog teams, including military-related PTSD, until September 1, 2020 under the following conditions: The follow-up visit must be done via two-way communication. This includes digital communication through video conferencing platforms such as Skype, Facetime, GoToMeeting, Zoom and Whatsapp or via the telephone. Video conferencing is preferred and assessors may request an explanation why telephone was chosen over video conferencing. Receiving a written report via email or the mail will not meet this requirement. The program's written report documenting this client follow-up visit must include the method of communication used. The program's written report from this follow-up visit must also include that the follow-up visit was conducted in this way due to the Coronavirus COVID-19.

Sample Policies and Templates for COVID-19

Infectious Disease Control Policy COVID Guidance - provided by Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN)

Temporary Sheltering Animals COVID Guidance - provided by Paws With a Cause

COVID-19 PAWS Preparedness and Response Plan - provide by Paws With a Cause

Videos for Children

Dog4life has decided to keep the children company with some constructive videos, which have dogs as protagonists but which suggest them to behave in the same way, in relation to the order, the waiting times, the use of our senses.
 
Every week we upload a new video.

 

Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?

Source:  National of Counsel Nonprofits

Recording of webinar: "Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?" 

Slide deck from webinar: "Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?"

Analysis of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116-136)

Chart: Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act

How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19, Nonprofit Quarterly, Mar. 26, 2020

Self-Insured Nonprofits and Unemployment Insurance

Analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19

Find your state association of nonprofits

Federal Relief Bills - A Quick Overview

·         Phase 1 = Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act,

·         Phase 2 = Families First Act (Families First Coronavirus Response Act)

o   Paid Leave Options with Reimbursable Payroll Tax Credits

o   Emergency Unemployment Insurance Stabilization

·         Phase 3 = CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act)

o   Paycheck Protection Program (Emergency SBA 7(a) Loans) (PPP)

§  Application Released Tuesday

o   Expanded EIDL & Emergency Grants (SBA 7(b) Loans)

o   Midsize Loan Program – Section 4003

Business Report:  Sen. Bill Cassidy Answers Questions on EIDL, PPP Loan Program

https://www.businessreport.com/business/sen-bill-cassidy-answers-questions-on-eidl-ppp-loan-programs

Facebook Closed Groups

Programs can also find information and post questions on this topic on ADI's closed Facebook groups. 
ADI has 7 closed Facebook groups for Accredited members and Candidate programs. 

  • ADI Client Services Group
  • ADI Communications and Marketing Group
  • ADI Directors Group
  • ADI Prison Based Training Group
  • ADI Puppy Raiser Managers Group
  • ADI Trainers Group
  • ADI Volunteer Managers Group

To find a group on Facebook, search for "name of the group" and click on "join group."

Teleconferencing program options

One program that can be used for video conferencing with clients (for application interviews and follow-ups) is doxy.me. It is free and HIPAA, GDPR, PHIPA/PIPEDA, & HITECH compliant.  (suggested by Service Dogs for America)