On December 22, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a second Order regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for respite workers [direct-care staff]. Respite workers must now receive a COVID-19 booster dose, if eligible, by March 1, 2022 (originally February 1), or within 15 days of becoming eligible after that date. We mailed out a California Vaccine Mandate Policy (on behalf of the state) to our families with instructions on how their designated respite workers can maintain compliance with this change. To summarize the California Vaccine Mandate Policy, a worker can achieve compliance with the new Order by:

• Completion of the Exceptions Form (A)
• Completion of the Exemptions Form (B) and weekly testing
• Being fully vaccinated and boosted (by March 1, 2022)
• Not providing respite

Our goal has always been to make respite as easy to use as possible. Unfortunately, the complications caused by this Order make that more difficult than before. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these trying times to keep respite a viable program.

If you have questions after reading the California Vaccine Mandate Policy, please give us a call or use the Contact Us page. We are happy to be of assistance.

Thank you, from all of us at Respite, Inc.