The newly revised DYS COVID-19 Stakeholder Data Dashboard was rolled out on July 22, 2020. This dashboard allows for a streamlined transparent report for all stakeholders and community partners to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 within the Division of Youth Services. The report provides information for youth as well as employee testing and the results of those tests. The dashboard is updated each day, Monday-Friday.

You can access the new data dashboard at this location: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/dys-covid-19-dashboard

Background

On March 10, Governor Jared Polis announced a state of emergency and an update on presumptive positives in Colorado. DYS understands that many family members and other stakeholders may be concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in a child/family member who resides in a youth center and how this virus may impact them. Ensuring youth are cared for in a safe and healthy environment continues to be the Division of Youth Services’ (DYS) greatest concern and our number one priority.

DYS is following the recommendations of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on prevention steps. In addition, each of the Division’s youth centers are in close contact with the local and state health department and are following their guidance.

As this is an evolving situation, DYS continues to monitor while working to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on youth and staff. DYS engages statewide leadership in daily huddle meetings by Department and Division central command posts 7 days per week to support and oversee action items required. The below guidance reflects the most up-to-date policies and protocol DYS has implemented. This document will continue to be updated as new information or questions arise.

Contact Information

Please direct all questions to Natalie Chrastil, the DYS Incident Commander for COVID-19. Natalie can be reached at Natalie.Chrastil@state.co.us.

Executive Order/Supporting Information updated 5/28/21

Executive Order D 2020 034

Executive Order D 2020 060

Executive Order D 2020 094

Executive order D 2020 126

Executive order D 2020 153 August 5, 2020

Executive order D 2020 177 September 4, 2020

Executive Order D 2020 206 October 3, 2020

Executive Order D 2020 236 November 1, 2020

Executive Order D 2020 266 November 30, 2020

Executive Order D2020-291 December 29, 2020

Executive Order D 2021-024 January 27, 2021

Executive Order D 2021 048 February 25, 2021

Executive Order D 2021 106 May 23, 2021

DYS Youth Assessment Criteria

Youth Secure Detention Criteria - 4/17/20

Pandemic Planning

DYS provides critical services to youth, and is prepared to continue providing these services throughout the public health crisis. Please be assured that DYS has systems, plans, and policies in place to protect and care for both staff and youth. This responsibility is not taken lightly and DYS continues to evaluate this fluid and evolving situation with the health and safety of all guiding the decision-making process. DYS continues to employ a universal pandemic plan across all youth centers. Pertinent protocol has been updated for appropriateness to the novel coronavirus SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19). You can access youth center specific pandemic plans here.

COVID-19 Screening

New Screening Procedures

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in facilities, DYS has initiated a comprehensive medical screening process for all new youth admissions. Any youth who develops symptoms in custody is referred and screened by medical. In addition, a proactive step of daily temperatures are taken of each youth in the Division’s care.

In addition, DYS has implemented a health screening process for anyone, including staff, prior to entry into a youth center. This includes secondary screenings, if warranted, by medical personnel. In addition, the Division of Youth Services is implementing universal masking of all direct care staff during the week of 3/30/20. This additional measure is a proactive step to ensure the health of both staff and youth.

Youth With COVID-19 Exposure and/or Symptoms

If a youth is symptomatic, medical staff will evaluate the youth to determine if concerns exist based on the screening intake staff complete with all admissions. Medical staff will assist in differentiating between COVID-19 and other illnesses that may have similar symptoms. If the youth requires testing, medical personnel will take a specimen and send it out for testing. If the youth requires testing, the youth center will be required to isolate and place the youth into a sick bed or medical quarantine until the results are in. Youth placed into a sick bed or medical quarantine are placed on a medical watch where they are checked every 15 minutes, with staff noting how they are doing. The youth on medical watch are also checked by medical staff a minimum of every 24 hours.

For any scenario in which a youth has respiratory symptoms without other explanation, they are placed on a sick bed or medical quarantine with standard droplet precaution protocols.
Any youth who has a concerning exposure to a known or suspected COVID-19 case is also placed into a medical quarantine.

COVID-19 Testing

Testing of youth has been targeted due to issues with capacity for processing tests statewide. Youth testing has occurred within youth centers with one center completing prevalence testing for all staff and youth at the center (completed May 18, 2020). Testing of youth has become more aggressive as capacity improves. As testing is available, DYS will be testing any youth with respiratory symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (unless there is medical or scientific reason not to), and all new admissions into a youth center.

Medical staff at the youth center are immediately informed of any youth testing results for COVID-19. Currently, DYS has COVID-19 tests available for use (as of May 27) and additional tests are available by the Department should they be needed.

Hygiene and Cleaning

Youth are actively involved in proactive measures to keep themselves healthy to include cleaning and regular access to handwashing/soap and hand sanitizer. There are ongoing verbal reminders and signs with fun memes posted to encourage youth to wash their hands and keep them from touching their face, nose, and eyes. Youth centers are also finding creative ways to engage and educate youth in the cleaning of their surroundings. From songs to sing while washing their hands, youth poster contests, to one youth center holding a “corona cleaning competition” to see which unit could smell the cleanest. Prizes were awarded for the winning pod.

In addition, DYS disinfects and cleans all high-touch surfaces multiple times per-day.

Staffing

The Division of Youth Services is implementing universal masking of all direct care staff during the week of 3/30. This additional measure is a proactive step to ensure the health of both staff and youth.

Staff Exposure to COVID-19

All COVID-19 screening procedures are currently applied to DYS staff. Any staff member who screens as positive for a risk factor may be required to return home pending a higher level of review. Upon responding with a “yes” on any question located on the screening checklist, a youth center medical staff will be notified to complete a further assessment on the staff (either in person or via telephone after hours, or with a written note from a personal physician). The DYS medical staff will then determine if the individual will need to return home, or is able to enter the youth center for work.

Capacity Monitoring

DYS is currently conducting a daily review of staffing and implemented active tracking systems to ensure proper levels of staffing at DYS facilities. Staff and youth are monitored for symptoms daily, and all necessary Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is in stock. The State is employing additional measures to ensure adequate staffing remains throughout the youth centers.

Incentive Pay

DYS staff provide critical functions necessary to keep our youth safe, and therefore have continued providing 24/7 services at facilities. In recognition of the importance of these services and the value DYS employees provide, all youth center staff asked to work in a youth center will receive incentive pay during the COVID-19 crisis. This is regardless of whether or not the person is classified as "essential" in their position description.

Visitation

General Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended a variety of steps that the Division is implementing to help reduce the potential for the virus to enter their centers.

DYS is limiting in-person visits to only essential individuals. Limiting means individuals will not be allowed to come into the youth centers, except for certain exceptions, such as a professional visit, or a person essential for a youth’s legal or medical needs. DYS understands that youth connecting with family members is incredibly important, and in lieu of in-person visits, youth centers have been initiating contact via phone or virtual visitation. To view youth center visitation hours and contact information to schedule visitation, please click here.

Visitor Screening

All employees, vendors, law enforcement, contractors, volunteers, delivery personnel, and visitors (regardless of title/role), will be screened upon intake to all youth centers. This includes law enforcement picking up youth for court. Visitors may further undergo secondary screenings, if warranted, by medical personnel.

Any visitor who has a positive response on the screening checklist, or appears ill, will be declined entry into the youth center.

Attorney Visits

Attorneys are approved to enter youth centers to meet with their clients. This also includes Guardian ad Litems (GALs). DYS asks that attorneys please complete the health screening prior to entry.

Use of Virtual Technology

DYS has increasingly worked to decrease face-to-face contacts by enhancing the use of video-conferencing and other virtual technology. To prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into facilities, DYS is moving all in-person family visitation to virtual visitation and/or phone calls. Additional information for visitors is included in the “Visitation” section.

In addition, DYS has reduced visits by outside service providers. These visits have been moved to virtual meetings to continue care where warranted (e.g. religious services).

The Division is utilizing “Google Meet” to facilitate virtual visitation. Our Information Technology team assembled a guide to assist families and professionals in how to join a “Google Meet”. Please click here and scroll to page four to the section on joining a google meet (for visitors).

Programming

Education

At this time, DYS commitment education will continue to serve youth within the normal timelines and structures that exist. As information and situations evolve and change, plans will be updated accordingly and communicated. These plans may include exploring online course work, distance learning, and other potential learning scenarios. This document will be updated with any changes to this process.

Detention education services are provided through the local school districts. Gov. Polis signed Executive Order D 2020 041 on April 2, 2020. This Executive Order “extends the suspension of

normal in-person instruction until the end of the scheduled 2019-2020 regular school year, at all

public and private elementary and secondary schools in Colorado, including public preschools. This Executive Order also excludes education services provided by school districts pursuant to C.R.S. § 19-2-402(3) within CDHS detention facilities, and education services provided by CDHS or its contractors in CDHS facilities established pursuant to C.R.S. § 19-2-403(1).”

Detention Education – Updated 5/17/20

Detention Education Services are provided by the local school district

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Six questions were asked of each youth center serving detained youth. They are as follows:

1) How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets?

2) Where does learning take place in your facility?

3) Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi?

4) How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned?

5) How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed?

6) How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets?

Note: There are eight youth centers that receive detention education from local school districts. Two of those have on-site teaching in place. They are Platte Valley & Adams YSC’s.

Gilliam YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? Denver Public Schools is providing daily personalized instruction and written feedback. They are following the DPS Plan for remote learning that consists of daily personalized lessons in all content areas, written feedback and access to teachers remotely. In addition, they are providing youth who receive special educational services with contingency plans to ensure that their needs are met on a daily basis. Daily written check ins with youth are completed as well as phone calls from special education providers as well as school psychologist and social worker. As of May 14, 2020 DPS has secured the ability to allow DPS teachers and staff to access youth remotely through DYS Chromebooks and Google Meets.

Where does learning take place in your facility? At this time learning is taking place in the residential units as well as the classroom. Students are being provided with all the materials necessary to engage in academic activities which include pencils, calculators, dictionaries and supplies to complete daily lessons.
Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi? If DPS had access to four additional Chromebooks then they may be able to provide additional opportunities for youth to meet with special educational team and services providers remotely. However, this would impact staff at the agency level with all other virtual visits and meetings.
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? The DPS staff is providing youth with daily personalized lessons that are differentiated to meet the needs of our diverse student population. These lessons are shared via DPS Google Drive and are distributed to each youth by the DPS Interim Principal. Written feedback is distributed to students daily and completed assignments are loaded into Google Drive so teachers can provide feedback. All the work that students are completing will allow students to earn credit for the courses that they participate in during this period of remote learning. A class schedule is provided daily and direct care staff provide lessons to the youth.
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? The DPS SPED Teams reviews the roster daily to ensure that they are identifying students that receive SPED services or who may have a 504 to ensure that their educational needs are being met. Each student who receives services has a contingency plan created for them in compliance with DPS protocols for supporting students during remote learning. Additional supports are provided through daily written communication and phone calls into the facility. Students are also provided with differentiated assignments based on the unique educational need.
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? The DPS SPED team reviews completed lessons daily and makes adjustments to future assignments based upon the needs demonstrated. Through daily written feedback and phone calls SPED teachers are supporting students and discussing areas of additional supports needed. In addition, members of the SPED team will be participating in remote sessions that will allow them the ability to support students while they work on assignments.

Grand Mesa YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? D51 Teachers are "in" the classroom virtually every day with the exception of a few technological issues that held us back at the beginning. Teachers assign homework and review homework through a shared Google Drive, email and picking it up from a staff. Grades and credits are accounted for through Google Drive.
Where does learning take place in your facility? In our Det Ed classrooms
Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi? D51 supplied the Chromebooks for teachers and each classroom. The wifi is also D51's internet and plugging in through an ethernet cord is the best connection.
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? We scan rosters, LMA and Treatment Group info and email it as well as store it in a Google Drive. Homework is picked up and dropped off by teachers and staff.
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? D51 is still providing a Program Assistant to track all youth credits and grades, including in SpEd requirements. D51 also provides us a principal that works with the Program Assistant. We also meet every week via Google Meet to ensure the youth are getting what they need.
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? The Prog Asst and the Principal are tracking this with the teachers just as they always have.

Marvin Foote YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? At Foote youth are attending virtually via google classroom. Teachers in a few classes provide instruction via smart boards/video instruction which youth are attending all day with a short day on Thursday for team meetings.
Where does learning take place in your facility? Youth attend classes in the school with each class/chromebook wiped down between classes.
Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi? We could use additional chromebooks for Webex as we have added full days in Arapahoe/Douglas and with some additions from Denver and other counties an additional device would be helpful. Cherry Creek provides all of the devices for classrooms which allowed us to provide each youth with a chromebook.
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? We utilize Cherry Creek resources to scan over documents/assignments. We have two staff assigned to the school to assist with cleaning, scanning assignments, or printing assignments prior to the school day and at the end. Youth incentives are fully funded via Cherry Creek and teachers report out on youth that earn weekly incentives.
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? These plans are reviewed as Foote admin meets with Cherry Creek admins weekly to discuss any concerns/problems and/or any upcoming changes needed.
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? These are scanned or completed via google classroom to ensure we are meeting SPED expectations. This is also discussed in our weekly partnership meeting.

Mount View YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? Full days of distance learning plans for youth
Where does learning take place in your facility? In the detained school classrooms
Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi? No. All good
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? If a youth has a packet, picked up by principal or librarian
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? School district is using Enrich
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? SPED teachers working with content teachers to ensure accommodations are being made

Spring Creek YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? All packets
Where does learning take place in your facility? Living Units
Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi? Wifi was upgraded and tested this week
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? Packet emailed - we print copies and make them accessible for youth - Anything completed is returned back to District at the end of the week.
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? In discussion with District administration last week they shared that they are following the same processes for reviewing and obtaining records - we shared that meetings can be coordinated and scheduled virtually if necessary.
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? The packets that are being turned in are placed in the education office by Ms. Griffith. I review them when I come into the school, weekly. Mr. Maupin has met with students in virtual meetings and has two IEP's arranged for next week. All IEP requests/questions have been addressed by me or Mr. Maupin. The HSD2 asst. special education director has been notified of any requests.

Pueblo YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? Pueblo 60 is doing packets but has the option and a plan for using distance learning. We haven't finalized it, we were very close and then google meets changed some things and we had to start over. We are getting close again to getting this finalized.
Where does learning take place in your facility? Started on the units due to facility related situations/construction. We have moved it to the school classrooms.
Do we need any more Chromebooks or Wifi? The district doesn't have their own wifi or technology for kids; DYS gave some chromebooks and is working on DYS education wifi.
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? The principal has made a plan to pick up work from youth. He reaches out to youth center administration and he drops off new and picks up completed. They are trying to do it weekly.
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? The district special education director stated they are using Enrich to assure services are being met.
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? The district indicated the SPED teachers are collaborating with content teachers to make sure accommodations are being made; students should have specific work as needed. DYS offered to assist with an SLP needs and the district indicated they were confident they had the services they needed.

Adams YSC

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? We have 2 teachers on site doing the best they can to provide direct supervision of the online learning programs. In some subjects the teachers are teaching directly - like Science and Math. And then the other subjects are done through the chromebooks.
Where does learning take place in your facility? Classrooms, MPR, really wherever the youth are in the program we can access the space with the Chromebooks.
Do we need any more Chromebooks or wifi? We have 24 Chromebooks in the facility dedicated to education.
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? Our 2 on site teachers create the packets each morning and they hand them to the youth.
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? Our SPED teacher is one of the 2 teachers on site.
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? Our SPED teacher is one of the 2 teachers on site.

Platte Valley

How much distance learning are the districts doing vs. packets? We are not doing distance learning. Teachers are on the pods or providing education in the classrooms. This is a combination of packets, activities, and computers.
Where does learning take place in your facility? 4 pods are taught on the units and 2 are taught in the school building. Each day we rotate which pods are educated in the school building. Each pod ends up in the classrooms 1-2 days per week and on the unit 3-4 days per week.
Do we need any more Chromebooks or wifi? We would love to have Wifi on the units and enough Chromebooks for all students
How specifically are packets being picked up and/or scanned? Teachers collect at the end of each day and give daily grades
How are the 504 and IEP's being reviewed? Our SPED teacher tracks IEPs and ensure all are up to date and appropriate services are provided
How are the SPED teachers reviewing the packets? All of our teachers have access to packets as they are emailed to the entire team weekly. Many provide feedback

Religious Services

Religious services with a contract vendor (such as Youth for Christ) will continue to occur but only in cases where the service or session can be held remotely (phone or virtual). In-person visitation for religious services is not permitted at this time.

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings

All MDT meetings will continue. All DYS youth center staff assigned to a youth’s MDT are able to attend in person following the health screen upon entry to the youth center. Client Managers, families, and external supports will attend via phone conference.

Court Hearings

Courts rapidly moved to video rather than in-person hearings, reducing in-person appearances in court and transportation outside of the youth center. Additional information may be found at the Colorado Judicial Branch website.

Parole

Parole Hearings

Juvenile Parole hearings will continue as scheduled. The Juvenile Parole Board (JPB) has developed the following guidelines and precautions:

The Client Manager will be required to coordinate with the JPB to set up teleconferencing and/or videoconferencing at the hearing for family members or staff (including the youth’s assigned behavioral health staff) to provide testimony at the hearing. The Client Manager must inform the JPB Administrator no later than three days prior to the hearing. Teleconferencing and/or videoconferencing will then be made available.
If anyone who is scheduled to attend the parole hearing in person falls ill, they are asked to not attend the hearing. The same options of video/teleconferencing will be made available to those individuals.
The JPB staff will diligently clean before and after the hearing to maintain a clean and safe environment.

Youth Awaiting Placement

The local county departments of human or social services continue to do the work required by law, including the placement of youth. However, the Department of Human Services does not have the authority to require specific contract community-based placements to accept youth.

Colorado Youth Detention Continuum (CYDC) Coordinators in each of the Judicial Districts continue to track youth in detention and are in contact with juvenile justice professionals to determine youth who can be released. The Division of Child Welfare at the Colorado Department of Human Services has intermediaries assigned to each of the 64 Counties to serve as a resource to the county for the continued work, including the placements of children, youth and juveniles.

Additional Resources

The Division sources information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). DYS encourages stakeholders to consult these resources for additional public health information.