Compass Health shares COVID-19 safety resources

Submitted by Compass Health

Behavioral health organization Compass Health announced it is sharing COVID-19 communications resources on its website to support widespread safety and well-being efforts.

Recognizing the unprecedented scale and impact of COVID-19, Compass Health’s behavioral health professionals created these materials as part of the organization’s own rigorous response protocol.

While working with the National Council for Behavioral Health, and realizing the impact shared resources could have for behavioral health providers across the country, Compass Health decided to make them available to everyone. These free, downloadable templates ensure that small businesses, nonprofits and others have access to helpful tools to reinforce safety and strong communication with the communities they serve.

“While we were implementing our response plans to help protect our staff and community, we recognized that others may benefit from access to tools that provide important COVID-19 information and updates to those who matter most,” said Compass Health Chief Operating Officer Stacey Alles. Alles and Compass Health Chief Medical Officer Camis Milam, M.D., lead Compass Health’s COVID-19 planning and response.

“It’s our privilege to make these materials available to our peers and partners across the communities we serve and do what we can to bolster our community’s collaborative response in these unprecedented times,” Milam said.

The templates, available now on the Compass Health website at www.compasshealth.org/covid-19-resources include an organizational COVID-19 plan, client screening questionnaire, response guidelines for clients who have tested positive for COVID-19, facility door signs and more. Each resource can be downloaded and customized to adapt to an individual organization’s needs.

This resource library is just one way that Compass Health acts as a frontline care provider. The organization also is the primary healthcare resource for thousands of individuals who struggle with mental health, addiction and homelessness issues, and are highly vulnerable to COVID-19. Compass Health’s youth programs also fill critical gaps for children and families who typically receive special services from the education system.

Additionally, the clinical and medical staff on Compass Health’s mobile crisis outreach teams and in its triage centers are first responders who work with EMTs, firefighters and others to respond to emergent mental health and medical situations. These services make a direct impact on keeping individuals out of emergency room and inpatient care settings, freeing up beds for those who need treatment for COVID-19 other serious conditions.

“Although there are many uncertainties right now, one thing is clear: we are stronger together,” said Tom Sebastian, Compass Health CEO and president. “We’re proud to help others by sharing knowledge and resources, and to provide vital support for the community safety net.”

For more information, visit www.compasshealth.org/covid-19-resources.

About Compass Health

Compass Health is Northwest Washington’s behavioral healthcare leader. A community-based healthcare agency, Compass Health integrates behavioral health and medical care services to form a key section of the community safety net and serve clients and others in need of care and support. From comprehensive mental health treatment to crisis prevention and intervention, supportive housing, children’s services, community education and much more, the non-profit organization serves people of all ages throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties.