Gatesway Foundation

PROJECT PURPOSE

A recent study in the NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery Journal revealed ?having an intellectual disability was the strongest independent risk factor for presenting with a Covid-19 diagnosis and the strongest independent risk factor other than age for Covid-19 mortality.? Given the risk of infection and death in this population, we must invest in solutions to ensure that they are safe. The first phase of the Gatesway Housing Transformation Project will expand Oklahoma?s safe, dignified housing resources for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Responding to the need for group housing that provides private bedrooms and bathrooms so this vulnerable population can avoid infection and death, Gatesway will build 12 homes housing 6 to 8 adults each. These new homes will ensure every resident Gatesway serves is provided a private bedroom and bathroom so they can easily quarantine if exposed during a pandemic. Currently, Gatesway's living settings all feature shared bathrooms, which make it very difficult to protect against virus transmission. In Gatesway?s 60 years of serving this population, community homes have been a place where adult Oklahomans with I/DD can live safe, enriching lives, meaningful for the adults and their families throughout the state. In a community home, adults can receive daily direct care, learn new skills and increase independence, and obtain employment with the help of staff. In addition, these homes create a safe place for adults with I/DD to live without fear of abuse, neglect, or homelessness.

EVIDENCE

As a part of the guidelines established for those exposed to COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control states, ?Residents should be encouraged to avoid contact with roommates and limit their use of shared spaces as much as possible.? This will be greatly increased through a private bedroom and bathroom. As just one example of many, Harvard Health recommends physical distancing of people to decrease the spread of the virus. This one-time investment into housing options for our residents will protect them in future pandemics or similar catastrophic events.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

According to a recent ranking by national disability organization ANCOR, the state of Oklahoma is 47th in the nation in funding care for the population whom Gatesway serves ? adults with I/DD. In response, the Gatesway Housing Transformation project provides an important opportunity to protect a medically vulnerable population from infection and death from COVID-19, while generating housing solutions for Oklahoman families throughout the state. COVID-19 has been deadly for our community. Just one example is our client Sara, a young adult with down syndrome. Unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to her disability, when her roommate contracted COVID-19 Sara did as well. Despite a weeks-long battle, she tragically passed away. With better housing options for adults like Sara, they need not lose their lives to this disease. By investing in single bedroom and bathroom facilities that more easily contain transmissible diseases, we can prevent more deaths and take better care of adults with I/DD in our community. Creating housing solutions for this vulnerable population will impact the lives of people all over Oklahoma for decades to come, protecting adults with I/DD from experiencing abuse, neglect, homeslessness, and COVID infection while providing relief and peace of mind for their families and loved ones. Gatesway wants to partner with the State to see Oklahoma become a Top 10 state in the care for this population.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The construction of the new group homes and intermediate care cottages for which this grant is being requested will be managed by an experienced construction contractor located in Metro Tulsa. This contractor will be responsible for the delivery of a detailed construction plan and schedule for which Gatesway management and one or more board members with extensive construction experience, including Crossland Construction, will provide additional oversight during the project. Regularly scheduled progress reports will be completed and then provided to Gatesway?s contractor who will be providing cloud-based grants administration and compliance solutions. As each of the new homes are completed and ultimately approved by the appropriate state regulators for I/DD housing, Gatesway?s resident census information will be updated and loaded into the grants administration system. At all times, Gatesway will be able to report back to the state on the topics related to time, budget, cost, and other key performance indicators relevant to the project.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma