Developing a Multi-Agency Support Plan for Individuals Under Quarantine for Ebola

BACKGROUND: During the Ebola response, guidance for monitoring and controlling movement of persons exposed to Ebola Virus was provided by federal and state public health authorities. As part of local public health planning efforts to address this guidance, it was determined that little or no advancements had been made to address the challenges and barriers associated with supporting an individual affected by a public health order.  As a result, local public health epidemiologists and emergency managers met with a diverse group of county advocates to create and develop a multi-agency support plan for individuals and families under voluntary or mandatory quarantine.

METHODS: Beginning October 2014, representatives from Housing and Human Services, Mental Health Partners, Community Services and our local public health agency developed a Support Plan to formalize and pilot the assistance to be provided if an individual was under quarantine for Ebola.

RESULTS: Team members identified the scope, eligibility and duration of the Support Plan for exposed individuals. The Support Plan protocol was piloted on two individuals who were undergoing active monitoring. The team amended the initial Ebola monitoring form and developed a needs assessment, a protocol for alerting team members of individuals needing support, a communication plan and a method for evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: Addressing non-clinical needs such as housing, loss of wages, education, food and mental health not only aids in compliance, but also helps ensure individuals are treated with respect and dignity.  Collaborating with trained case managers, mental health specialists, and social workers has the potential to aid communicable disease epidemiologists performing contact tracing or daily monitoring.  Establishing relationships with community agencies in advance can enhance coordination.  Support plans could be applied to other communicable diseases where controlled movement may be recommended. The presenter will share a template needs assessment, template protocol for alerting team members, communication plan and evaluation which attendees can amend for their own agencies.