DDD Releases Requirements for the Re-Opening of Congregate Day Programs

On Thursday, September 3rd , DDD announced that congregate day programs can re-open their doors on Monday, September 21st. This announcement does not require day programs to open on this date but when they do re-open, they must do so in compliance with DDD’s new Congregate Day Program Re-Opening Requirements.

Assessment and Preparation

The requirements are extensive and require the program to complete:

• Facility Readiness Tool
• Individual Needs and Risk Assessment (with the individual and guardian)
• Congregate Day Program Re-Opening Attestation,

Additionally, each individual and guardian must sign the Receipt of COVID-19 Information Form before returning to program.

Program Re-Opening Requirements

When programs open, they must do so at 25% of the established Certificate of Occupancy for a location or at the number of individuals who can be served while maintaining social distancing (six feet apart) at all times, whichever is less. Other requirements include:

• mandatory mask-wearing for all staff
• group sizes of 15 or less that include the same individuals each day
• daily temperature monitoring before entering the program or the program’s transportation, as well as
• a number of other COVID-19 procedures intended to minimize the risk of infection.

These requirements were created in partnership with families and providers while incorporating current best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New Jersey Department of Health.

It is vital that individuals and families read and understand these requirements in order to make an informed choice about returning to program and understand what will be required of them. All of DDD’s COVID-19 updates can be found at their DHS Coronavirus Information webpage.

Experience Our Power of Connection

Autism New Jersey will continue to follow recommendations from the CDC and state Department of Health as the state begins to move through the stages of reopening.

We’re proud to say that, since the beginning of the pandemic, not one call to our Helpline has gone unanswered. If you need assistance, call us at 800.4.AUTISM or information@autismnj.org or send us a message/chat with us via the link at the bottom of this page.

We remain focused on our mission to be a resource for the autism community. We recognize that there are many questions and complex considerations, and we are working hard to address these substantial issues and provide our expertise and stakeholder perspectives as plans are developed. We encourage you to regularly visit our central hub of coronavirus resources for the autism community.