June 2, 2020

Dear Friends of Cedar House,

At Cedar House, we help the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community every day. With the unrest in our nation and the coronavirus pandemic in effect, the health and safety of our clients, staff and community remain our top priorities. Cedar House stands with those who strive for equity and social justice. We believe that treatment should respect the dignity and value of the individual’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or other personal characteristics. 

Although we recognize that many businesses in the region may be implementing opening procedures at this time, we remain vigilant over our client and staff population to ensure their safety.  Therefore, the following measures have been continued or adapted at this time:

• Leadership continues to encourage and allow for working from home where possible
• Utilizing technology for all meetings and services allowable by Department of Health Care Services (Intake assessments, 1:1’s, some groups, etc.)
• Wearing of proper PPE and mandatory 6’ physical distancing when gathered
• Limiting transportation of clients outside the facility to emergency needs only with strict protocols upon re-entry 
• Enhancing sanitation of all surfaces throughout the day with electromagnetic sanitizer
• Accepting residential and now opioid withdrawal management intakes with strict guidelines and protocols including a scheduled, rigorous intake interview, symptom checks, anti-body and virus testing and quarantine pending results 
• Continued postponement of the following:
  • All non-essential services (both inside and outside the facilities)
  • All family visits
  • Alcohol withdrawal management intake
•  Purchase of Zoom accounts to accommodate
  • DUI educational groups
  • Outpatient Groups

We believe that these new and/or continued measures will give all our partners, stakeholders, staff, clients and loved ones the confidence that Cedar House is doing all we can to minimize any potential dangers due to Covid-19.  As new information becomes available, we will make adjustments as needed and will be updating our website regularly. Please check back for updates or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an email at info@cedarhouse.org, and we will respond no later than the following business day.
 

As you may suspect, many of these changes have come with unexpected costs. To assist with these expenses, we have established a Cedar House Cares Fund to direct critical resources for unforeseen administrative needs and essentials for our clients’ well-being.  Contributions to the Cedar House Cares Fund are greatly appreciated and will be directed immediately to where they will have the greatest impact. Thank you for your consideration!
 

We are grateful for your support and will continue to keep your families in our thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
 

Sincerely,
                    

Jamie Lamb, CEO