Announcements

Families In Transition cares about the safety and health of its staff, participating families and the community we serve. In order to limit exposure Families In Transition has enacted the following interim measures. Further changes to service provision may occur based on guidance received from the Center for Disease Control and the local public health department.  

 

• Wear a Mask when meeting with other staff, participants or community members:  Families In Transition staff have been instructed to wear a cloth face covering whenever they are meeting with anyone outside of their household and are performing work related activity. Please knock on the office door of the person you are meeting before entering so that the staff member can put their mask on before you enter.

• Limit/ postpone In-Person Office meetings:  Families In Transition staff have been instructed to use alternate means of communication with clients, landlords and community members whenever possible. Alternative methods of communication may include phone, email, texts and form pick-up/drop-off. In the event that an in-person meeting is the only option available Families In Transition staff have been instructed to practice social distancing techniques (not shaking hands, keeping at least 6 feet between individuals), wash hands with soap and water frequently and often, have all individuals in attendance use hand sanitizers (as available)  and follow recommended guidelines to keep surfaces clean in order to reduce exposure and potential spread of the COVID-19 virus and other infectious diseases such as the flu. 

• Temporarily postpone/limit Home Visits:  Families In Transition staff have been instructed to postpone scheduled Home Visits and practice social distancing and guidance for hand washing, hand sanitizing if a Home Visit cannot be postponed and the home visit allows for a minimum of 6 feet to be maintained between individuals.   

• Temporarily postpone staff attendance at Community meetings: where the number of attendees exceed CDC recommendations or social distancing, including keeping a minimum of 6 feet between individuals cannot be accommodated staff have been instructed to use alternate means of attendance when available. 

• Follow Guidelines from the Health Department – We encourage everyone to follow the guidelines published by the health department, including wearing a face mask, frequent hand washing, cleaning “high touch” surfaces, and social distancing measures like avoiding being in close proximity to others and shaking hands. Please be advised that staff may elect to terminate an in-person visit if health guidelines are not being followed.

• Instead of scheduling in-person appointments or home visits, we encourage you to call or email your Case Manager directly. If you don’t know your Case Manager’s phone number or email you can visit our website at www.fitsantacruz.org for a staff directory or you may call our main line at 831-728-9791 or email info@fitsantacruz.org to be directed to your case manager.  

• For local updates and information: For the latest updates, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at: www.cdc.gov/COVID19. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education continues to update its web page at: www.sccoe.link/coronavirus. For local information, residents may visit www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211 or text “coronavirus” to 211211. 

 

As a community service provider focused on transitioning families who are experiencing homelessness to housing stability Families In Transition is dedicated to its mission of ending and preventing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. We take our obligation of service to our community, our employees, and our partners seriously and apologize for any inconvenience these interim measures may cause. On behalf of the staff of Families In Transition thank you for your patience. 

 

As individuals we are strong, as a community we are resilient, and together, we can create solutions where challenges persist.  

 

Stay well and stay safe,

 

Melisa Vierra

Executive Director