Welcome to the twelfth communique regarding Knoxbrooke’s response to COVID-19 coronavirus.

Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce continues to monitor events locally and globally and considers all new Federal, State and Local Government announcements. The health and safety of the people we support and our team is front of mind when undertaking such reviews.

Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce last met on Thursday, 2 July and advise follows:

Balanced view required when considering recent hotspots

Knoxbrooke acknowledges that there have been a number of hotspots in Melbourne and it is worrying however it is important to review local data. Below is the latest infographic for Melbourne’s Outer-East. Knoxbrooke offers services in Maroondah, Yarra Ranges and Knox only which shows a total of 3 active cases:

For Mawarra services, Baw Baw Shire currently has NIL active cases and La Trobe as 1 active case.

The COVID-19 taskforce will continue to actively monitor data and adjust services as required. In the interim, we have undertaken precautions including increasing the stockpile of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, sanitiser, detergent, etc) and ensured that a sanitisation program is in effect at all sites. We have also purchased forehead thermometers which are being used frequently.

GENERAL UPDATE

Mawarra

Currently available is 1:1 in-home support, group Zoom sessions and small group centre-based support.

As previously advised, Mawarra is closed until 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19.

Mawarra will be re-opening in full on Monday, 3 August 2020. Over the next fortnight, participants and families will be contacted by team members for Mawarra group bookings.

COVID-19 precautions are currently in place and will be re-iterated when Mawarra re-opens under COVID-19. If there is more demand for Mawarra services than COVID-19 space allows, it may be necessary to reduce the number of days a participant can attend on-site. Alternatively, small group outbound activities or 365 in-home support may be offered.

Should you have any questions regarding Mawarra services, please contact Claire Cutler, West Gippsland Regional Manager on 0499 600 666 or email clairec@knoxbrooke.com.au

Basecamps

Currently available is 1:1 in-home support, group Zoom sessions and small group centre-based support.

As previously advised, Basecamps are closed until 31 July 2020.

Basecamps will be re-opening in full on Monday, 3 August 2020. Over the next fortnight, participants and families will be contacted by team members for Basecamp group bookings.

COVID-19 precautions are currently in place and will be re-iterated when Basecamps re-open under COVID-19. If there is more demand for Basecamp services than COVID-19 space allows, it may be necessary to reduce the number of days a participant can attend on-site. Alternatively, small group outbound activities or 365 in-home support may be offered.

Should you have any questions regarding Basecamp services, please contact Gai Campbell, Outer East Regional Manager on 0419 534 094 or email gaic@knoxbrooke.com.au

Achieve and Achieve Boutique

Achieve face-to-face group support has been re-introduced with appropriate COVID-19 safety measures in place. Achieve Ferntree Gully and Achieve Ringwood groups are co-locating at The Hub, Ringwood.

Achieve Boutique remains closed due to staff shortages.

Social enterprises

All social enterprises have resumed on a smaller scale with appropriate COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Office arrangements

The Hub administration remains closed.

Warragul administration office is open on reduced hours; should you need to attend in person, please call ahead to avoid disappointment.

You can still call the main lines and your call will be redirected to Knoxbrooke team members working remotely.

Payment of accounts in person is unfortunately no longer possible. Payments can be made through bank transfer, direct debit or cheques/bank cheques mailed

COVID-19 Coronavirus and Knoxbrooke

Please be advised that Knoxbrooke does not have any current cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Knoxbrooke regularly receives notifications of people and/or staff undergoing COVID-19 tests. All results to date have returned negative.

Should you have flu-like symptoms, please follow the advice of https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus and call the Government COVID-19 HOTLINE on 1800 675 398.  Note an online self-assessment is now available and may assist https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment

Please also alert Knoxbrooke through either the Knoxbrooke HOTLINE or email below:

HOTLINE:            0475 500 550

Email: covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au

For up-to-date information on Knoxbrooke services, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 website: www.knoxbrooke.com.au/covid19

Thank you for your continued support.

Kristian Dauncey

Chief Executive Officer

Kristian Dauncey

Chief Executive Officer