Aveanna is committed to the health and safety of those we serve, and we are here as a resource to keep you informed of changing regulations that are important to you.
The State of California has revised its vaccination requirements for direct care workers. To reduce the risk of transmission and serious illness, care providers must be fully vaccinated and, for those who are eligible to receive one, have a booster shot by March 1, 2022 (or within 15 days of becoming eligible for a booster).
As a reminder, this does not apply to care providers who are 1) only providing services to a recipient with whom they live or 2) who are a family member of the recipient for whom they are providing services. Aveanna is not verifying vaccination records, including booster doses. This is the responsibility of the client or family as the employer-recipient.
Department of Developmental Services Directive
https://aveannasupportservices.comdds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DDSDirective_PublicHealthOfficer_COVID-19Order_09282021.pdf
CA State Public Health Order:
https://aveannasupportservices.comcdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Adult-Care-Facilities-and-Direct-Care-Worker-Vaccine-Requirement.aspx
The Vaccine Mandate applies to all care providers (“workers”) who provide services to a consumer (“employer-recipient”) through the network of Regional Centers serving individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, except for those workers 1) who only provide services to a recipient with whom they live or 2) who are a family member of the recipient for whom they provide services. If a worker provides services across multiple households, the mandate applies.
Workers may be exempt from the vaccination requirements only upon providing the employer-recipient a declination form, signed by the individual, stating either of the following: (1) the worker is declining vaccination based on Religious Beliefs, or (2) the worker is excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to Qualifying Medical Reasons.
Please note that to be eligible for a Qualified Medical Reasons exemption, the worker must also provide to the employer-recipient a written statement signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional practicing under the license of a physician stating that the individual qualifies for the exemption (but the statement should not describe the underlying medical condition or disability) and indicating the probable duration of the worker’s inability to receive the vaccine (or if the duration is unknown or permanent, so indicate).
Please click here to download a .PDF Declination Form. | (Spanish .PDF Declination Form)
The worker must maintain vaccination status, exemption, and testing records as applicable.
If a worker is exempt, the employer-recipient must also maintain a record of the exemption and test results.
Aveanna serves as the Employer of Record and maintains no records. The client and his or her family is the employer-recipient and is responsible for directing the worker and for the implementation of this health order.
COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are readily available and can be obtained from retailers and grocery stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, or from your local public health department—in most cases without an appointment. If you need assistance finding a location to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, please check with your location, or your Regional Center Service Coordinator, or visit https://myturn.ca.gov/.
We appreciate being your partner, and your adherence to this mandate ensures that we are all doing our part to further minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Be sure to have a conversation with your family and care provider about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Outlined below are some of the questions that can be used to navigate the conversation. Please note the following only applies to the California Public Health Order requiring care providers (“workers”) providing personal care services be fully vaccinated by November 30, 2021, unless they are approved for an exemption based on religious beliefs or qualifying medical reasons. Additional detail is available in the links below.
Department of Developmental Services Directive
https://aveannasupportservices.comdds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DDSDirective_PublicHealthOfficer_COVID-19Order_09282021.pdf
CA State Public Health Order:
https://aveannasupportservices.comcdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Adult-Care-Facilities-and-Direct-Care-Worker-Vaccine-Requirement.aspx
As a community partner, we are spreading the word about how the mandate may apply to you, how to be compliant with the Public Health Order, resources for how to get vaccinated, best practices for maintaining documentation related to the mandate, and information on COVID-19 testing.
To maintain a copy of his or her vaccination record and share it with the family;
If applicable, to maintain the relevant exemption documents and share them with the family; and
To be able to produce records upon request within one business day.
Unfortunately, we do not. Free, confidential COVID-19 testing is available to every Californian by either going through your health care provider or through a community testing site.
We offer the following Declination Form to Claim Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements to use as a template between families and their care providers. This is for your records only—please do not return completed forms to Aveanna.
No, but they are responsible for being able to provide documentation within one business day upon request by the family or a state entity. A digital copy of their COVID-19 vaccine record is available to download to their smart device. Visit https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/faq for more info.
Paid sick leave is available for eligible employees. Please inquire with your local branch to find out how to claim sick time.
Per the Public Health Order, the care provider must either be fully vaccinated by 11/30/21 and be able to provide documentation OR they must provide documentation of either a religious or medical exemption. It is the responsibility of the family/client to supervise their care provider(s) and ensure that they are compliant with the mandate.
Vaccination appointment / Walk-in – https://myturn.ca.gov/
Digital vaccination record – https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/faq
Free community testing CA – Testing – Coronavirus COVID-19 Response (ca.gov). If you do not have internet access, call 1-888-634-1123