The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in many locations internationally, including in the United States. The disease has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, all residents in the state are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
DMHAS Response
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, DMHAS has activated its Incident Command Structure. This structure is well-prepared to handle emergency situations and is coordinating all aspects of the DMHAS response. In addition to the Commissioner’s Executive Group, facility CEOs are participating in regular conference calls as we respond to the outbreak. Additionally, Commissioner Nancy Navarretta is in regular contact with the Governor’s Office as well as the Department of Public Health regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the people we serve and our staff.
This webpage will be updated regularly with information on COVID-19 and how it impacts the people we serve, our providers and DMHAS staff.
Information for Families │ Information for Providers │ Information for DMHAS Staff │Resources
Press Releases
- DMHAS Releases Aggregate Data of Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in DMHAS Facilities, February 24, 2021
- DMHAS Releases Aggregate Data of Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in DMHAS Facilities, February 10, 2021
- DMHAS Releases Aggregate Data of Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in DMHAS Facilities, February 3, 2021
- DMHAS Releases Aggregate Data of Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in DMHAS Facilities, January 20, 2021
- DMHAS Releases Aggregate Data of Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in DMHAS Facilities, January 13, 2021
- DMHAS Releases Aggregate Data of Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in DMHAS Facilities, January 6, 2021
- Staff at DMHAS Middletown Campus Test Positive for COVID-19, October 23, 2020
- FEMA Announces Award of New Federal Funding for Connecticut’s Pandemic Crisis Counseling Program, June 3, 2020
- SAMHSA Announces Award of $2 Million in New Federal Funding for Connecticut’s Behavioral Health Response to Coronavirus, April 21, 2020
Click here for additional press releases, including previous aggregate facility case reports
Commissioner Newsletters
Information for Families
- Connecticut COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line (or call 877-918-2224)
Information for Providers
-
Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers - Deadline: January 4, 2022
- Provider Update #25, January 7, 2022
- Provider Update #24, March 24, 2021
- DMHAS COVID-19 Behavioral Health Assistance Program (BHAP) - The BHAP is grant funding which will assist employees of DMHAS-funded private, non-profit providers with co-pays and deductibles for behavioral health services.
- Vaccine Access for Congregate Settings, Vulnerable Communities and Homebound Residents, January 25, 2021
- Provider Update #23, January 21, 2021
- COVID-19 Outbreak Response in Non-Medical Congregate Settings - Provider/Facility Guide, January 13, 2021
- Provider Update #22, October 30, 2020
- Provider Update #21, October 5, 2020
- Watch! Webinar - COVID-19 - Strategies and Techniques for Disaster Behavioral Health Responders for behavioral health providers maintaining operations during a pandemic
- Watch! Webinar - COVID 19 – Fear Management, Crisis Communications, and Critical COOP Concepts
- Visual Tool for Health Care Providers
- Visual Tool for COVID-19 Symptoms
- Your Risk for COVID-19
Click here for earlier Provider Updates
Information for Staff
DMHAS Employee Assistance Program Services: DMHAS employees and their families are covered by Solutions EAP, available 24/7 at 1-800-526-3485 and on the Solutions EAP website.
REOPEN DMHAS - Agency Plan, June 26, 2020
Staff Updates and Memos
DMHAS Protocols Document, Updated November 23, 2022
DMHAS Hospital Admission Protocol, Updated November 23, 2022
DMHAS Protocols for Staff, Updated November 23, 2022
DMHAS COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions, Updated July 7, 2020
COVID-19 Uniform Screening Tool, Updated April 14, 2021
Computer Equipment Cleaning Procedure, July 17, 2020
- Staff Update #29, April 16, 2021
- Guidance regarding absences, requests for telework and/or changes in work schedules due to COVID-19, revised January 11, 2021
- Staff Update #28, December 21, 2020
- Staff Update #27, November 10, 2020
- Guidance regarding absences, requests for telework and/or changes in work schedules due to COVID-19, revised October 29, 2020
- Staff Update #26, September 15, 2020
- Staff Update #25, September 2, 2020
- Staff Update #24, July 9, 2020
- Staff Update #23 - Self Quarantine, July 1, 2020
- Staff Update #22, June 30, 2020
- Staff Update #21, June 19, 2020 *regarding mandatory testing for certain employees
- Your Risk for COVID-19
Click here for earlier Staff Updates
- DPH Guidance on PPE Conservation and Testing Strategies
- Poster: Who Should Wear a Mask
- Non-Face-to-Face (NF2F) Services – Guidance
- Non-Face-To-Face Telephonic Progress Note
- OPM and DAS Guidance regarding absences, requests for telework and/or changes in work schedules due to COVID-19, revised July 17, 2020
- DMHAS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Memo to Staff: Additional Guidance for Telework, March 16, 2020
- Telework IT Resource Questionnaire
- Technology Policy When Working From Home
- DMHAS Confidentiality Statement
- CVH Memo re: Fitness Center and Valley View Cafe, March 13, 2020
- Memo re: Staff Working from Home, March 13, 2020
- Memo re: COVID-19 Caution Signage, March 13, 2020
Staff Resources
Resources
Free COVID-19 Testing Sites in Connecticut
Online Resources Especially for Connecticut Residents
- Connecticut - Free Resources to Support Mental Health and Wellness - from New England Mental Health Treatment Technology Transfer Network
- Coping with Corona: Mental Health Supports in a Pandemic - curated by The Hub/Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT
- Digital Social Support and Connection Options - curated by Toivo/Advocacy Unlimited
- CCAR Additional Recovery Zoom Meetings
Mental Health Resources
- DMHAS Mental Health Resources Flyer
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline - call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor
- Statewide Community Health Resources Hero Hotline (CHR) - 888-217-HERO - 10 am - 8 pm, 7 days a week; especially for healthcare providers, first responders, grocery store employees, delivery providers and other essential employees and their families, but open to all
- Managing Anxiety and OCD during a Pandemic - Yale School of Medicine, Psychiatry
- Mental Health Resources for Coronavirus - Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
- Resources to Support Mental Health and Coping with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Mental Health and COVID-19 Resources from Mental Health America
- Positive Directions COVID-19 Support Group, Tuesdays 7-9 pm; to register or learn more, email or call Angela Miceli, LCSW at 203-227-7644 x828 or email amiceli@positivedirections.org
Addiction Resources
- SAMHSA Virtual Recovery Resources
- CCAR Recovery Zoom Meetings
- Information from AA on Virtual Meetings
- Guidance for People Who Use Substances on COVID-19 (En Espanol)
- Naloxone Pharmacies in Connecticut
- SAMHSA Guidance for First Responders Administering Naloxone
- COVID-19 and Problem Gambling
Signage
- Stronger Than COVID Campaign Resources
- Poster: Stop the Spread of Germs
- External Signage for DMHAS Facilities,STOP! Do not enter this facility if you..., March 16, 2020
- Additional Printable Resources from the CDC
Resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
- ASL Stronger Than COVID PSA
- CDC COVID-19 Information in ASL
- National Association for the Deaf
- Yale-New Haven Health Communication Cards
Resources for People with Disabilities
- Best Practices For Virtual Communication for People with Disabilities
- State of CT COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
Provider Resources
Audio-Only and Audio and Visual Services
- Department of Social Services Bulletin on Expanded Telemedicine and New Audio-Only (Telephonic) Services
- OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
Other Provider Resources
- Summer Webinars - Recovery and Citizenship in the COVID-19 Era
- SAMHSA Guidance for First Responders Administering Naloxone
- Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
- American Psychiatric Association (APA) Coronavirus Resources
- The Joint Commission Webinar: Preparing Behavioral Health Organizations for Coronavirus
- Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know
- Caring for Patients’ Mental Well-Being During Coronavirus and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide for Clinicians
- Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists
- Guidance for People Who Use Substances on COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
- Poster: Stop the Spread of Germs
Staff Resources
COVID Related Staff Shortages – Guidelines for Returning to Work after COVID Exposure or Infection - December 28, 2021
- SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19
- Quarantine Resources
- Stay Calm and Reduce Fear During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation
- Timesheet Coding Related to COVID-19
- The Joint Commission Webinar: Preparing Behavioral Health Organizations for Coronavirus
- Staff Guidance: Recommendations for Self-Monitoring
- State of Connecticut COVID-19 Webpage for State Employees
- DMHAS Visitation Order, December 27, 2021
- COVID-19 Screening Tool, updated January 12, 2021
- External Signage for DMHAS Facilities,STOP! Do not enter this facility if you..., March 16, 2020
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- LMS Training: Personal Protective Equipment and Hand Hygiene, Class ID: 0000105740
- CT DPH PPE conservation and testing strategies
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PPE recommendations
Audio-Only and Audio and Visual Services