Public Health Order 20-20: Additional Clarification for Group Homes and Host Homes

TO: Owners/Operators, Directors FROM: Kara Johnson-Hufford, Associate Division Director, HFEMSD As we have received a number of questions about the April 21,2020 Amended Public Health Order in response to whether or not host homes and group homes are included, we wanted to provide some additional clarification regarding expectations: Group Homes While the formal public health order language calls out Nursing Facilities (NF), Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), and Assisted Living Residences (ALRs), the intent and purpose of the isolation plans are also inclusive of Group Homes for persons with disabilities. Therefore, licensed group homes will indeed need to submit an isolation plan for each location to COVID-19FacilityIsolationPlan@state.co.us no later than the 05/01/2020 deadline. Host Homes Host homes are not licensed healthcare facilities and therefore are not included with the public health order authority. Program Approved Service Agencies that operate host home settings do not need to submit facility isolation plans. That being said, if the service agency chooses to use the guidance and form for their own operational benefit and use across their network of host home settings that is certainly permissible. They do not however need to be submitted to CDPHE for review.  For questions about how to submit your isolation plan, please contact (303) 692-2836.