COVID-19 Plan

Solutions is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for Psychology Interns and all staff. It has worked diligently to develop measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic so that its clientele can continue to be served, and that Interns can participate in the full range of training activities. The Psychology Internship is important to Solutions. We are serious about the safety and health of our Interns and with ensuring the integrity of their internship experience (See Appendix K-9). Adjustments in practice were made during the 2019-2020 training year in keeping with Solutions’ goal of maintaining a low risk environment. These included implementing health screenings, adopting vigorous sanitation practices and restricting access to the clinic, along with seeing clients via telehealth and allowing some telecommuting for staff. Solutions’ administration regularly reviews these practices, and any future updating of practices and procedures will be made in keeping with the goal of maintaining a low risk environment.

As an agency, Solutions developed an organizational Preparedness Plan in June, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all employees, including Psychology Interns were trained in this plan. The Preparedness Plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines and federal OSHA standards related to COVID-19. This plan is posted in all work areas. The 2022-2023 Intern cohort were trained in the Preparedness Plan at the start of the internship year. The Preparedness Plan will be updated in accordance with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to accommodate those individuals who have been vaccinated and who choose to provide Human Resources with a copy of their vaccination card. The Preparedness Plan will continue to be monitored and updates in keeping with the most current information and recommendations by the CDC. Interns will be appraised of these changes when they occur.

Solutions’ intent is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in its workplaces. It is only through a cooperative effort that we can establish and maintain the safety and health of our workers and workplaces.

Solutions also developed a policy regarding in-person services during this public health crisis, and established an informed consent process for clients regarding the parameters of in-person services, should these be needed. Interns will be trained in this policy.