In early 2020, as COVID-19 spread, threatening the lives and health of people nationwide, schools around the country made Herculean efforts get students home safely and began shifting their learning models in new and unprecedented ways. University systems that had previously housed and educated thousands became silent, with classrooms darkened and students learning elsewhere – through online classes and video-conference lectures.
As the country is starting to see a lifting of Coronavirus-related restrictions for businesses and citizens, higher learning institutions are working hard, once again, to plan for the safety and security of their students and their campuses. Policies and procedures set into motion now will work to keep students and faculty safe and healthy as the classrooms and dorms fill.
The precautions colleges and universities have instituted as a result of Coronavirus are based, in great part, on local state and federal rules and CDC guidelines, and can include:
Social Distancing:
- Restricting in-person meetings / Using alternative digital resources for meetings that can be held away from campus settings
- Limiting the capacity of classrooms and lecture halls
- Adding signs and visual cues on campus that organize and encourage social distancing
- Restricting the number of people allowed in various campus spaces
- Entry and Exit monitoring for buildings
- Restriction of visitors and guests
Gradual Phasing in of Staff and Campus Employees
Symptom Monitoring & Voluntary Removal of Individuals that are Experiencing Some or All of the Known Symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
COVID-19 Testing / Antibody Testing
Expanded and Extensive Disinfection of Campus Surfaces
Personal Safety Interventions, including mandatory or recommended use of:
- Face Masks
- Gloves
- Regular Hand Washing
- Appropriate Cough and Sneeze Etiquette, including coughing into a bent elbow
- Other PPE, where needed
Preparing for a Return to Learning
The applya business model is built to support the changing environment of America’s return to work and return to learning strategies. Combining thought leadership in higher education with applya’s strong position in servicing higher learning institutions through its government contracts, applya combines a strategic approach to helping our clients walk through this process.
Based on guidance from OSHA, the CDC, Bureau of Labor, and the state governments, applya has identified 4 key elements that need to be addressed for a safe, effective return to learning strategy.
The first stage is preparation, which includes:
- Policy– within this new and unique work and learning environment, updated policy must be designed and fully communicated.
- Training– web-based training allows for constant instruction to assist your workforce with safely managing expected shifts in behavior.
The second stage is Execution, including:
- Screening– correctly determining what screening tools are available within a virtual work environment and, locally, social distancing while managing the screening process for students, faculty, and employees.
- Ordering and tracking- determining how to order testing and track the progress of employees and students and providing applicant tools to assist
applya is uniquely positioned to help with all 4 of these needs. These can be accessed and utilized through our PA Integration and applya technology.
How we do it:
applya’s Pre-qualified vendor program is a comprehensive solution of fulfillment partners with an easy-to-use and secure technology platform. Partners go through a comprehensive vetting process prior to entering our marketplace.
As your organization’s needs change, you can add or adjust your screening vendors — without requiring additional integration or new technology workflows. This provides you flexibility to adjust your model based on market conditions, and an evolving return to work and return to learning program.
For example, return to work and return to learning models will likely require regular and ongoing antibody testing. As COVID 19 testing continues to mature and additional screening technology vendors come into market, applya will vet and integrate these providers for its clients – providing FLEXIBLITY and Choice.
What do we offer?
- Our consultants work with various organizations throughout the country and make Policy Development even easier. They review state regulations, provide easy to-use-templates and guideline resources, and help guide your team throughout the writing process.
- Background screening is performed through PBSA certified Consumer Reporting Agencies.
- Proactive Drug Testing is another screening tool that can make a large and positive impact on your organization. This tool can help identify problems with substance abuse in your organization and refer those testing positives to an EAP to proactively address the problem.
- Vaccinations and COVID 19 antibody testing will be available in the next two weeks. As you make the transition from social distancing, we can provide the solution. applya has prescriptive authority in all 50 states and provides medical oversight for ordering these testing panels.
All screenings can be ordered, scheduled, and viewed by your recruiters through our Pre-Qualified marketplace connectors.
Ordering and Tracking with applya
applya has built a seamless integration between our partners’ technology platforms that help hiring managers streamline the entire employment screening and employee hiring process.
Package information is stored in in your dashboard and allows flexible screening and credentialing approaches for your return to work and return to learning strategies as well.
As the program matures, you can activate those elements of the credentialing process based on where your school is in the transition process.
From your applya dashboard:
- A package is ordered, and applicant contact is initiated.
- Applicants provide demographic Data based on package type
- Consent and authorizations are captured based on type of screen
- Background packages are ordered
- DT, Vaccinations and COVID-19 Antibody tests are scheduled
- Status is posted – in process, completed
- Results available via SSO from the PA dashboard
In addition, applicants can view, store and track their credentialing through our mobile optimized technology platform and establish customized notifications based on your policy.
applya is your partner for Return to Learning
Call us today to learn how we can help your institution of higher learning get students and faculty back into the classrooms safely and keep them there with screening, monitoring, and credentialing.