Disaster Readiness Procedure

It is the intent of New Horizons Supported Services to ensure the safety and well being of each individual supported during a natural disaster or organized attack in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In this light, we have devised an emergency preparedness plan in place that will allow individuals and staff to remain safe should this be necessary. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check with the local authorities with respect to road closures and other restrictions prior to attempting to retrieve their loved one from our site.

New Horizons Supported Services is prepared to house a limited number of individuals for a period not to exceed 72 hours (3 days). Provisions are available to ensure simple sustenance and shelter. This is assuming that some roads are either impassable or there is restricted travel due to closures by the local authorities. At the conclusion of said emergency or as permitted by authorities, New Horizons Supported Services will immediately begin the transporting of individuals home. Parents and caregivers who's intent is to retrieve their loved ones themselves should notify us as soon as possible so that the individual is not placed on a vehicle. Those individuals who live at a residential facility (group home, ALU) will be transported home, if possible. If individuals are taken to their residences and no staff is home or New Horizons vehicle is not able to safely make it within sight line of the residence another option has been put into place.The individual will be taken to the main office of the residential organization or other responsible site as designated by the residential facility. New Horizons will make every effort to work cooperatively to this end.

Medication:

Please keep in mind, that medications that are not taken at New Horizons cannot be housed at New Horizons and therefore will not be available for the respective individuals. New Horizons will continue to administer medications to those individuals who are to receive a dosage while here during the specified times, until all supplies are exhausted. Further, there is limited supply of extra clothing items on the premises and therefore individuals may or may not have access to a change of clothes during a protracted emergency / disaster.

Additionally, there may be the need for medical intervention. New Horizons Supported Services has a limited supply of first aid equipment and know-how. Therefore, New Horizons will make every effort to contact the local authorities and seek additional medical attention as needed for any injured individual or staff. In the event an individual is transported by medical professionals New Horizons will keep a list of the injured and the medical facilities that they were transported to for treatment.

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