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As COA’s are thinking about and preparing to scale up their operations of Senior Center programs and services from remote to on-site activities, the MCOA Task Force on Reopening has developed suggested guidelines for consideration as you work with your local Board of Health and other municipal officials.
Stage 1 guidelines are based on guidance from the State, CDC and other sources and cover Overall Considerations for Transportation Services provided by COA’s, and Overall Considerations for Senior Center Facilities.
The Task Force continues to work on Stage 2 guidance, which provide both, COVID-19 Operations and Communications Plan templates for:
  • Scaling up Operations for Centers
  • Scaling up Operations for Transportation
  • Scaling up Operations for Programs and Services, (including remote locations).
The Operations Plan templates are based on the State’s guidance that all businesses in the state of MA must develop a written control plan outlining how it will comply with the mandatory safety standards for Social Distancing, Hygiene Protocols, Staffing and Operations and Cleaning and Disinfecting.
With the daily changing landscape of the pandemic and the movement of the states reopening phases, please keep in mind that all the guidance being created is fluid and will be updated as warranted.
Lastly, scaling up operations will be different for each COA. We have said it before, that each center is unique in every way and that reopening senior centers remains a local decision.
With that understanding, we know that what might work at one COA may not work for another, but each COA will be following state and local guidance from their boards of health and other municipal officials regarding the reopening of their senior center. Let’s pause and take a breath. We have seen over the last twelve weeks, how COA’s are helping each other, creating solutions and lifting one another up and through the challenges you’ve encountered. Let’s continue in this spirit of support for one another, it, and you are what makes this network strong.

Massachusetts Councils
on Aging

116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306
Easthampton, MA 01027
 
Telephone: 413-527-6425
Fax: 413-527-7138