Encore Developmental Services are hoping to have their day service clients back at some point in September.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, Executive Director Stephanie Coonce told Regional Radio News they are doing a lot of heavy lifting within the facility to bring those folks back safely. She indicates those folks need to safely get back to their routines.

There will be a fine balancing getting day program individuals back to Encore because many are among the most susceptible to the coronavirus. Coonce says they have received good guidance in getting their folks back but striking that balance weighs on her.

For the day programming individuals, Coonce says there are very few that understand what is happening and why. This is on top of the frustration of not being able to go out and see their friends and family.

A returning plan has been approved that will include social distancing guidelines and masking guidelines like most other entities. According to Coonce, the real challenge for their day programming individuals will be an assessment that needs to be filled out before they can come back.

Coonce estimates about half of their day services clients will be able to return after completing the assessment. She also points out they will have capacity limits which will further reduce the number of individuals they can have on a given day, however, they are looking at procedures like alternating the days those folks can be at Encore, just to make sure everyone gets the chance to go back to a part of their routine.