By Gaan Akers, LPC, NCC | February 28, 2022
Mental Health Facility Precautions and Actions During COVID
As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, Hillside is committed to prioritizing safety for our clients, their families, and our employees. Using the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Coronavirus Task Force, comprised of Hillside leaders, meets several times per month to discuss and implement program changes, infection control procedures, staffing and clinical care of our clients.
Below is an outline of some of the safety practices of Hillside. If your family is currently in our program and you have additional questions, please reach out to your family therapist or program manager. If you are a prospective client or prospective client’s family, please reach out to Admissions Department with your questions.
Residential and Day Treatment Actions
Hillside continues to admit clients to all programs.
Clients entering our residential treatment or day program are required to be fully vaccinated prior to admission. Your admission coordinator will confirm this requirement during the pre-admission process.
All employees working in client facing roles or performing job duties on the Hillside campus are required to be vaccinated against COVID.
All new clients in the residential and day programs are COVID tested upon admission.
All clients must wear masks in the residential school setting and in the day program.
All employees wear KN95 face masks when indoors and in the presence of others.
Family Therapy is provided primarily using Zoom or other secure means of video conferencing.
All buildings have specialized air filters on the heating and cooling systems.
Community Based Program Actions
In-person services are offered as well as telehealth sessions via Zoom.
In-person services require the therapists, clients, and the client’s family to follow infection control procedures including a health screening, physical distancing, and wearing KN95 face masks.
Tours and Visitors
A virtual tour is available on our website. We are not currently offering on-site tours for prospective admissions’ families.
Due to the recent decrease in the community infection rate, Family Visitation and Therapeutic Home Passes resumes on February 19, 2022 for current clients in our residential treatment program. However, if the rate of infection in the community were to increase, Family Visitation and Therapeutic Home Passes may be cancelled or put back on hold.
Contact Hillside with Questions
Please contact our admissions office if you have further questions or concerns. We appreciate all families, referral sources, and friends accommodating and adjusting with us as we navigate through the coronavirus outbreak.
