Parent Preparation Module 2 for Amigos Tucson Chapter

1. GET OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT
AMIGOSINTERNATIONAL.ORG
Parent Preparation Module 2
Health and Safety

2. • A thorough overview of AMIGOS Health &
Safety
– Protocol & Procedures
– Participant Tools
– Health Screening
– Health Statistics
– Preventing Illness
– On-Call System
– Understanding the CALM Plan
Parent Preparation Module 2: Topics

3. • Pre-departure
– Health & safety round robins
– “Safeguarding Your Mental Health” activity
– Online health and safety assessments
– Decision making activity
• In-country Training
– Project specific health and safety review
– Host community specific information
Participant Training on Health &
Safety

4. • Participant Health, Safety & Travel Guidelines
• Prophylaxis & Immunization Requirements
• Project Information Packets
Participant Tools Acquired Here

5. • CALM Plan
• Weekly Self-Assessment Forms
– Completed by participant & PSup
• Health Logs
– Completed by participant
• Participant Performance Evaluations
– Completed by participant & Psup
All of these documents become a part of the participant’s
official file with AMIGOS.
Participant Tools in Country

6. Guidelines for:
• Host Community Selection
• Host Family Selection
• Meal Plan Guidelines
• Partnership Selection & Placements
– Includes sleeping arrangements
Summer Leadership Team’s Tools

7. The AMIGOS participant will not:
1. Engage in detrimental Behavior
2. Use or possess any drugs
3. Leave his/her assigned work area without
permission
4. Operate any motorized vehicle
5. Handle firearms or any other weapon
6. Engage in acts of disrespect, harassment, or
bullying
7. Engage in the consumption of alcohol
8. Engage in intimate or amorous relationships
9. Use or possess tobacco products
Participant Tools – Standards of Conduct

8. Standards Violation Process
• In the event of a standards violation a report will be
submitted by the in-country team along with a statement
written by the participant to the Emergency Management
Team.
A decision will then be made on the outcome of the violation:
– Warning: for minor, first time violations which do not
present a threat to the health and safety of any
participants
– Incident: a more serious and intentional violation which
could be potentially damaging to the individual,
organization, or host community/partner agency
– Dismissal: either repeated or severe violation that is
dangerous, harmful, or damaging. Individuals who are
dismissed from the program will be responsible for the
cost of their return ticket as well as a $250 fee to cover
all related expenses for their return.

9. Decision Making
• Talk about decision making, both good and bad.
• Remember that we want them to make the choice to
try, to push their boundaries, even if they fail. It’s part
of the experience.
• Encourage them to think through the effects of all
their actions and how in a program like AMIGOS they
can affect so many different people.

10. • Maintaining participant health & safety
– Top priority with primary focus being on
prevention of major issues
• All protocols are established by the
Medical Health & Safety Committee
– Based on Center for Disease Control
recommendations and when applicable the
National Institute of Health
– Tailored to specific project areas
From the AMIGOS Medical Director:
David Baron, MD

11. • All participants are screened in areas of physical
and mental health according to explicit criteria.
– Report any and all changes in health status at
once to AMIGOS International Office at
info@amigosinternational.org
Health Criteria & Screening

12. • Handled with the utmost confidentiality directly by
International Office Screening Team.
• Submit Confidential Health Forms directly to
application for review by International Office
Screening Team.
• Contact info@amigosinternational.org for any
questions about your participant’s Confidential
Health Screening process.
Health Screening Process

13. • Disclosure of health information does not
automatically disqualify applicants.
• Intentional non-disclosure or minimization of
health history (physical or psychological) will
likely result in immediate dismissal from the
program at the participant’s expense.
Non-Disclosure Policy

14. • Following table summarizes the most common
ailments reported to the On-Call System.
– This data is the number of cases NOT the number of
individuals.
– (An individual may have multiple cases)
• Data includes cases for both participants and
Summer Leadership Team
Health Statistics:
Defining the Numbers

15. Summer Health Statistics
(an average summer)
Illness / Incident Number of Cases
Animal Bite/scratch/lick 19
Post-Exposure Rabies Vaccination 2
Upper Respiratory Infection 13
GI Infections 166
Scabies 5
Appendectomy 1
Orthopedic Issues 8
Malaria 0
Dengue (Non-hemorrhagic) 2
Yellow Fever 0
Typhoid 0
Total Clinic Visits 301

16. • Hand-washing –saves lives and prevents
infections!
• Bathing - all participants must maintain good
hygiene and bath regularly.
• Clothing - wash clothing as the host family does.
Good Personal Hygiene Prevents Illness

17. • All participants are required to use a personal
water purification method.
– RECOMMENDED: chlorine drops or chloride dioxide.
(CDC)
– NOT recommended or reliable for the summer:
• UV light decontaminators
• Portable water filtration systems
Water Purification

18. • Host community meal plans are a donation from the
community.
– Participants need to be gracious guests and eat the food
offered!
• Many participants eat on a rotating meal plan
– Reduces the burden on the host family
– Popular with participants
– Great way to community
Community Meal Plans

19. • Properly clean, cook, and peel all produce before eating to
avoid infection.
• NO homemade juices, ice or water from an unknown
source.
• Participants are encouraged to help with mealtime chores.
Food Preparation

20. 1. Participants will NOT become immune to microbes of
their host community.
2. Many host communities/project areas may not be able to
accommodate all special diets.
3. NO dieting!
4. Notify supervisor if there is a concern in-country
regarding meal plan ASAP
Dietary Concerns

21. 1. Vegetarianism - In some project areas
2. Veganism - NOT able to support on any project
3. Religious Restrictions - May be able to support
minimal food item restrictions.
– NOT able to support elaborate dietary restrictions.
4. Other dietary restrictions - Allergies and other
dietary restrictions on some projects.
Can AMIGOS Accommodate Special
Dietary Requests?

22. • Participants will be living with a host
family and should take to reflect on what
being a good house guest will look like.
– Help with household chores
– Be home when expected
– Communicate plans
– Be tidy
– Be friendly and out-going
– Abide by household norms/rules
Being a Good House Guest

23. • Dehydration - one of the top causes of AMIGOS
participants seeking medical attention.
• Prevention: drink at least 2 L of purified water daily; avoid
contaminated food, and wash hands frequently.
• Rehydration – drink oral rehydration therapy (ORT) or
suero.
Dehydration & Rehydration

24. • About 40% of reported AMIGOS participant
medical cases involve stomach ailments.
• Prevention:
– Eating food that has been properly prepared.
– Drinking water that has been properly purified.
– Maintaining good hygiene
– Frequently & properly washing hands!
– Avoiding dehydration.
Preventing Stomach Related
Illness

25. • Participants may travel with One-Course Antibiotic
treatment to be taken for Travelers’ Diarrhea only.
– Travelers’ Diarrhea defined in the Parent Preparation Guide
(PPG)
• Treatment: single course antibiotics
– TAKE full course as directed by doctor
– Note in health log and notify supervisor
• Follow all protocol steps closely
One-Course Antibiotic Treatment for
Travelers’ Diarrhea ONLY

26. • AKA– the common cold
• Prevention:
– Hand washing, staying hydrated and well rested.
• Treatment:
– Rest and drink lots of fluid.
– Antibiotics do not treat viral infections (like the common
cold).
Upper Respiratory Infections

27. • AMIGOS participants spend much of their time outdoors in
tropical locations and/or at high elevation.
• Prevention:
• Avoid overexposure to the sun.
• Wear sunscreen of at least 35 SPF (apply sunscreen
first and then insect repellent).
• Wear long-sleeve clothing & hat to protect the skin.
Preventing Rashes and Sunburns

28. • AMIGOS works in areas where tropical diseases
such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever,
chikungunya and Chagas may be present.
• Low incidence rates
• Collaboration with the CDC to develop recommendation
and track our population’s incidence
• If participants follow our required guidelines the risk will
be greatly minimized.
• (For more details on specific diseases see
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/)
Preventing Insect Bite Related Illnesses

29. • ALWAYS sleep under a mosquito net.
• Wear cream-based bug repellent
– With 30-50% DEET (CDC)
• NO 51+% DEET!!!
– Apply after sunscreen
• Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts during times
of high mosquito activity.
Preventing Insect Bites

30. DEET vs No DEET

31. • Animal Bites, Scratches or Licks
• Type # of Cases
– Bite----------------------------12
– Scratch/Lick-------------------6
• In 2015, 3 animal exposure cases required post-exposure
rabies vaccination.
– Post-exposure rabies vaccination process is REQUIRED in the
event of an exposure where the animal cannot be monitored.
2015 Summer Health Statistics

32. • Rabies – due to lower rates of animal immunization, there
is an increased risk of animals carrying rabies.
– Rabies is lethal once signs of infection are present.
– Rabies may be transmitted anytime saliva makes
contact with the bloodstream.
– Post-exposure shots are REQUIRED, if an exposure
occurs and the animal cannot be monitored for 10 days.
Animal Bites, Scratches and Licks

33. • AMIGOS prevention policy is rigid
– NO TOUCHING animals, especially dogs, cats, bats
and monkeys (mammals).
– Latin American dog culture: generally dogs are not pets.
– Exceptions may be made in cases where transportation
is via horseback.
• Rabies pre-exposure immunization is not required by
AMIGOS.
Rabies Prevention

34. • All prescription medication AMIGOS participants
are taking during the summer must be disclosed.
– Staff must have information available in case of an
emergency to prevent harmful drug interactions.
Prescription Medications

35. • 24 hour On-Call system
• Supports the AMIGOS in-country Summer
Leadership Team
• Operated by International Office professional
staff
• See Administrative Policy for specific roles of all
parties involved.
Introduction to AMIGOS
On-Call Emergency Management System

36. • Focus is on supporting Latin American project staff
members and participants.
– Handles medical concerns, mental health issues, violations of
the Standards of Conduct, and other miscellaneous issues that
may impact the AMIGOS participants.
• AMIGOS On-Call Staff have direct access to consult with
medical and mental health professionals as necessary as a
part of the 24 hour On-Call System.
– All cases reported are reviewed by health professional
consultants.
On-Call System Focus

37. • A specific “911” plan developed for each
AMIGOS host community to connect them to
their Project Staff, emergency care and the
AMIGOS On-Call system.
• The CALM Plan requires participants to seek the
closest and most accessible source of assistance
first.
CALM Plan

38. • The 1st step in every participant’s CALM Plan is to contact their
Project Staff.
• Participants may always contact their parents, BUT if they call you
as first step of the CALM Plan – this is considered CALM Plan
circumvention and detrimental behavior.
• If you are contacted directly by your participant, make sure they
have already activated their CALM Plan before calling you so that
local help is on the way!
Avoiding CALM Plan Circumvention

39. • Support participants in preparing for a healthy and safe
summer.
• Empower participants to follow health and safety protocol.
• Understand AMIGOS protocol and know who you should
contact with questions.
Role of Parents