Coronavirus Response
Last updated October 9th, 2020
A message from The Emily Program
Clients, Families and Friends,
We are continually monitoring the situation with coronavirus and its spread. We know this crisis creates many anxieties and concerns. The Emily Program is committed to supporting clients, families, and staff as the situation evolves.
The Emily Program's top priority is the safety of our clients and staff. We have implemented and are continually updating policies and processes to ensure that our sites and programs continue to create a safe care and work environment.
We offer telehealth services for OP, IOP, and PHP/IDP, preserving the integrity of our clinical care while allowing us to serve clients from their homes for these levels of care. Our residential programs remain open to serve clients needing that level of care. We are also in the process of adding PHP/IDP programming back onsite at many locations, so clients have the choice of either in-person and telehealth programming. We continue to take stringent precautions around screening and enhanced preventative behaviors at our treatment sites.
Our task force of medical, clinical, and executive leadership meets daily, and as needed during each day, to ensure safety, update plans, institute new procedures, answer questions and keep all staff, clients and families informed. These efforts are working to ensure our teams can access the latest information and act quickly. We continue to take stringent precautions around screening clients entering treatment, enhanced preventative behaviors, and are ensuring we are informed regarding appropriate community resources.
Lastly, we are heartened by and so appreciative of the community support we’ve received in support of our continued delivery of care. From families sewing and donating hundreds of cloth masks for use by staff to help keep them protected while they are out in the community getting groceries to distilleries donating gallons of their newest product – hand sanitizer – to make sure we have an adequate supply, we know that the work we do is wholeheartedly supported by the communities we are honored to serve.
We will continue to ensure that we have the safest environment possible for all.
Warmly,
Dave Willcutts,
Chief Executive Officer
Mark Warren,
Chief Medical OfficerQuestions?
Medical leadership staff will be available to address any questions or concerns you may have:
Pacific Northwest: Kathleen Fugere, ARNP-BC Kathleen.Fugere@emilyprogram.com
Midwest: Mary Bretzman, M.D., Mary.Bretzman@emilyprogram.com
East: Mark Warren, M.D., Mark.Warren@emilyprogram.com
The Emily Program is committed to keeping clients and staff safe, keeping our sites open and continuing to provide essential and exceptional care to clients struggling with eating disorders.
We have established a COVID-19 Task Force which includes executive leadership, clinical, medical and operational staff. The task force meets regularly to monitor frequently fluctuating recommendations from the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization and other resources to ensure our policies and procedures meet the latest guidelines to limit exposure to the virus. Our goal is to implement the most clinically-appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our care show symptoms of this virus.
Refer to The Emily Program's Safety Protocols document for details.
Telehealth services have been expanded to include intensive outpatient and day programs (IOP and PHP/IDP) to reduce traffic in and out of our sites and prevent the spread of infection. Visit our telehealth page for more information on services.
At this time, The Emily Program offers intensive programs via telehealth, and we are in the process adding in-person PHP/IDP programs back in many locations.
Here are information sheets on each of our intensive program offerings:
General PHP/IDP brochure (adults)
General PHP/IDP brochure (adolescents)
Telehealth PHP/IDP brochure (adults)
Telehealth PHP/IDP brochure (adolescents)
Telehealth IOP brochure (adults and adolescents)If I have a fever and cough should I still come to treatment at The Emily Program?
No, we are screening clients and these symptoms would indicate you should be home and resting until you are fever-free for 72 hours and no longer have a cough. We are screening all clients staff and visitors. Signs are posted at all entrances that ask clients, staff, visitors, and others not to enter if they have signs of illness (such as fever or cough).Will I be asked to wear a mask if I attend treatment in-person?
Yes, in line with recommendations from the CDC and State Departments of Health, everyone entering our facilities must wear a face mask. We ask that you bring a cloth mask from home to wear in our outpatient facilities or for your first 14 days of residential treatment (you can choose whether to wear one after that). A washable cloth mask will be supplied if you don't have one. Masks will not be required while eating, sleeping, showering, or when social distancing is possible.Can The Emily Program test for coronavirus at our sites?
No, all testing is done through the regional health departments in collaboration with the CDC. We do not have these capabilities and will direct clients to a medical healthcare facility.Can visitors still come to The Emily Program sites?
Our residential sites are restricting visitors at this time. We are supporting virtual visits to continue to support clients and families through these exceptional times.Which levels of care are available in-person at this time?
Residential treatment takes place onsite. We are currently in the process of adding in-person PHP/IDP programs back in many locations. IOP and individual outpatient services are still being offering exclusively by telehealth. Call 1-888-364-5977 to learn what is available in your area.Why did you decide to start offering in-person PHP/IDP again?
We believe we have the ability to offer in-person services safely by deploying numerous safety features including screening, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene/cleaning procedures, mandatory mask wearing, and small group sizes. Given that in-person care can be delivered safely, and at the same time, many people prefer to receive services via telehealth, we are offering both options to meet the array of client needs.When will you reopen for IOP/OP levels of care?
With the help of feedback from clients and staff, we are in the process of developing a plan for reopening that ensures we are doing everything possible to keep our clients and staff safe. The timeline for reopening may vary by site and/or state. We don't anticipate a sudden shift back, but rather a period of time during which clients and staff can adjust to resuming in-person care, as needed.Will my insurance continue to cover telehealth treatment?
We understand that insurance coverage for telehealth may be a concern. We do not yet have clear information on whether insurance providers will change their telehealth coverage policies. If there is a shift, we do expect to have adequate notice so we can, in turn, give adequate notice to our clients.What is your employee travel policy?
Employees are advised not to travel domestically or internationally at this time, unless necessary. If travel is necessary, we recommend employees be diligent, exercise caution, take preventive actions (e.g. washing hands, not touching your face, sneeze into elbow, etc.), and seek out guidance from the CDC.
