SHS Sector Webinar Thursday 13 August 2020

Transcript:SHS Sector Webinar Thursday 13 August 2020:
SHS Sector Webinar Thursday 13 August 2020 Presenter: Joe Parsons Director Design & Stewardship, Housing & Homelessness Strategy, Policy and Commissioning Department of Communities and Justice Update – COVID-19 planning for public housing DCJ is working with NSW Health, NSW Police and Resilience NSW Drafting a set of guidelines outlining multi-agency responsibilities Confirming delivery of food, essential items, medical and mental health services, laundry facilities DCJ developed a communications plan Dedicated phone hotline activated within 1 hour and specialist housing response team to support tenants Key actions DCJ held NGO information forums to provide updates on planning 29 July DCJ, NSW Police, NSW Health participated in an exercise focusing on planning in the event of a lockdown DCJ issued a letter translated into 9 key languages reminding people of hygiene practices NSW Health increasing presence and clinics in SSESNS District Update – Temporary Accommodation DCJ policy settings for TA from 1 July 2020 - two nights of initial TA where this is provided by Link2home (except on weekends and public holidays) a cap of 28 days of assistance in a 12 month period, unless there are extenuating circumstances There is an exception to BAU policy for people sleeping rough - Can access more than a few nights of initial TA and can exceed the 28 day cap if they: remain engaged with DCJ and partners and, where there is a plan for a longer term housing outcome Update – SHS Accommodation Guidelines COVID-19 Criteria for testing for COVID-19 People who are close contacts of a confirmed case or who have returned from overseas or Victoria in the last 14 days People who have been in areas identified with known community transmission (these areas updated regularly on the NSW Health website) Positive cases and managing close contacts If a client or a staff member tests positive for COVID-19 a designated health practitioner: will be in contact if there is a staff member or client who tests positive determines duration of isolation must be notified of place of isolation Close contacts of confirmed cases Public Health Units and Close Contact Tracing Teams are tasked with identifying and contacting close contacts. Providers support contact tracing by providing list of staff, clients and visitors Close contacts need to isolate in accordance with relevant advice and may also require testing . Isolation period is 14 days from the date of last close contact with the