The document provides information on health and safety protocols and procedures for AMIGOS International participants. It discusses pre-departure training which includes health assessments and in-country training on project-specific safety. It outlines various participant tools like health logs and evaluations. The document also covers guidelines around host placements, hygiene practices to prevent illness, water purification, dietary considerations, treating common illnesses like dehydration, and preventing health issues in tropical locations.

1. GETOUTOFYOURELEMENT
AMIGOSINTERNATIONAL.ORG

2. Parent Preparation Module 2
Health and Safety

3. • 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

4. • Pre-departure
– Health & safety round robins
– “ Safeguarding Your Mental Health”
a c t i v i t y
– Online health and safety assessments
– Decision making activity
• I n - c o u n t r y T r a i n i n g
– Project specific health and safety
review
– Host community specific information
Participant Training on Health &
S a f e t y

5. • Participant Health, Safety & Travel
Guidelines
• Prophylaxis & Immunization
Requirements
• Project Information Packets
P a r t i c i p a n t T o o l s

6. • CALM Plan
• Weekly Self-Assessment Forms
– Completed by participant & Project
Supervisor
• Health Logs
– Completed by participant
• Participant Performance Evaluations
– Completed by participant & Project
Supervisor
All of these documents become a part of the
p a r t i c i p a n t ’ s o f f i c i a l f i l e w i t h A M I G O S .
P a r t i c i p a n t T o o l s

7. G u i d e l i n e s f o r :
• Host Community Selection
• Host Family Selection
• Meal Plan Guidelines
• Partnership Selection &
Placements
– Includes sleeping arrangements
Project Leadership Team’s Tools

8. 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

9. 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
v i o l a t i o n :
– Warning: for minor, first time violations which do not
present a threat to the health and safety of any
p a r t i c i p a n t s
– 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.

10. Decision Making
• Talk about decision making, both good
and bad.
• Remember that we want them to make the
choice to try, to push their
b o u n d a r i e s , e v e n i f t h e y f a i l . I t ’ 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.

11. • Maintaining participant health &
s a f e t y
– 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
t h e N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f H e a l t h
– Tailored to specific project areas
From the AMIGOS Medical
D i r e c t o r :
David Baron, MD

12. • A ll par t ici pant s ar e s cr eened i n
areas of physical and mental health
a c c o r d i n g t o e x p l i c i t c r i t e r i a .
– Report any and all changes in
health status at once to AMIGOS
N a t i o n a l O f f i c e a t
info@amigosinternational.org
Health Criteria &
Screening

13. • Handled with the utmost
c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y d i r e c t l y b y N a t i o n a l
Office Screening Team.
• Submit Health Forms directly to
application for review by the
National Office Screening Team.
• Contact info@amigosinternational.org
for any questions about your
p a r t i c i p a n t ’ s C o n f i d e n t i a l H e a l t h
Screening process.
Health Screening
Process

14. • December 10, 2017
– E-signature (Letter of Health Disclosure and
Consent & Release)
• February 1, 2018
– Health Form Deadline
• April 15, 2018
– Health Update
– N o a i r l i n e t i c k e t w i l l b e d i s t r i b u t e d t o a n y
participant who has not completed and
submitted all above paperwork.
Health Screening
Timeline

15. • Disclosure of health information
does not automatically disqualify
a p p l i c a n t s .
• I n t e n t i o n a l n o n - d i s c l o s u r e o r
minimization of health history
( p h y s i c a l o r p s y c h o l o g i c a l ) w i l l
l i k e l y r e s u l t i n immediate dismissal
from the program at the
p a r t i c i p a n t ’ s e x p e n s e .
Non-Disclosure Policy

16. • 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 Project Leadership
Team
H e a l t h S t a t i s t i c s :
Defining the Numbers

17. Summer Health Statistics
(an average summer)
Illness / Incident Number of Cases
A n i m a l B i t e / s c r a t c h / l i c k 25
Post-Exposure Rabies
Vaccination
2
Upper Respiratory Infection 11
G I I n f e c t i o n s 166
Scabies 5
Appendectomy 1
Orthopedic Issues 8
M a l a r i a 0
Dengue (Non-hemorrhagic) 2
Yellow Fever 0
Typhoid 0
T o t a l C l i n i c V i s i t s 301

18. • Hand-washing –saves lives and
p r e v e n t s i n f e c t i o n s ! Watch this VIDEO:
– www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HandsTogether/
• B a t h i n g - al l p ar t i c i p a nt s m u s t
maintain good hygiene and bath
r e g u l a r l y .
• Clothing - wash clothing as the host
f a m il y d o e s.
Good Personal Hygiene Prevents
I l l n e s s

19. • 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
• P o rta b le w a te r filtra tio n s y s te m s
h t t p : / /
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-2-t
h e - p r e - t r a v e l - c o n s u l t a t i o n / w a t e r - d i s i n f e c t i o n - f o
r - t r a v e l e r s . h t m l
* This policy does not apply to participants
assigned to projects where potable water
systems are in place. Project-specific
information will be available in the Project
Information Packets distributed in the spring.
W a t e r P u r i f i c a t i o n

20. • Host community meal plans are a donation
from the community.
– Participants need to be gracious guests and
e at the food offer ed!
• Many participants eat on a rotating meal
p l a n
– Reduces the burden on the host family
– P o p u l a r w i t h p a r t i ci p a n t s
– Great way to get to know
the community
Community Meal Plans

21. • Properly clean, cook, and peel all produce
bef or e eat i ng t o avoi d i nf ect i on.
• NO homemade juices, ice or water from an
unknown source.
• Participants are encouraged to help with
mealtime chores.
Food Preparation

22. 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
d i e t s .
3 . NO dieting!
4 . Not ify sup erviso r if th ere is a con ce rn
i n - c o u n t r y
regarding meal plan ASAP
Dietary Concerns

23. 1 . Vegetarianism - In some project areas
2 . Veganism - NOT able to support on any
p r o j e c t
3 . R e l i g i o u s R e s t r i c t i o n s - May be able
t o su ppor t m i ni ma l f o od i t em r es t r i c t i o ns .
– NOT able to support elaborate dietary
r e s t r i c t i o n s .
4 . O t h e r d i e t a r y r e s t r i c t i o n s -
A l l e r g i e s a n d o t h e r d i e t a r y r e s t r i c t i o n s
on some projects.
Can AMIGOS Accommodate
Special Dietary Requests?

24. • P a r t i c i p a n t s w i l l b e l i v i n g w i t h
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

25. • Dehydration - one of the top causes of
AMIGOS participants seeking medical
a t t e n t i o n .
• P r e v e n t i o n : dr i n k at l eas t 2 L of p ur i f i e d
water daily; avoid contaminated food, and
wash hands frequently.
• Rehydration – drink oral rehydration
therapy (ORT) or suero.
Dehydration &
Rehydration

26. • About 40% of reported AMIGOS
participant medical cases involve
stomach ailments.
• P r e v e n t i o n :
– Eating food that has been properly prepared.
– Drinking water that has been properly
p u r i f i e d .
– Maintaining good hygiene
– Frequently & properly washing hands!
– Avoiding dehydration.
Preventing Stomach Related
I l l n e s s

27. • Participants may travel with One-Course
A nt i bi ot i c t r eat m e nt t o be t ak en f or
T r a v e l e r s ’ D i a r r h e a o n l y .
– Travelers’ Diarrhea defined in the Parent
Preparation Guide (PPG)
• T r e a t m e n t : si n g l e c o u r s e a n t i b i o t i c s
– TAKE full course as directed by doctor
– Note in health log and notify supervisor
• F o l l o w a l l p r o t o c o l s t e p s c l o s e l y
One-Course Antibiotic Treatment
for Travelers’ Diarrhea ONLY

28. • AKA– the common cold
• P r e v e n t i o n :
– Hand washing, staying hydrated and well
r e s t e d .
• Treatment:
– R e s t a n d d r i n k l o t s o f f l u i d .
– A n t i b i o t i c s d o n o t t r e a t v i r a l i n f e c t i o n s
(like the common cold).
Upper Respiratory
I n f e c t i o n s

29. • AMIGOS participants spend much of their
t i m e out doo rs i n t r opi c al l oc at i o ns and / or
a t h i g h e l e v a t i o n .
• P r e v e n t i o n :
• Avoid overexposure to the sun.
• Wear sunscreen of at least 35 SPF (apply
sunscreen first and then insect
r e p e l l e n t ) .
• Wear long-sleeve clothing & hat to
p r o t e c t t h e s k i n .
Preventing Rashes and Sunburns

30. • AMIGOS works in areas where tropical
diseases such as malaria, dengue,
yellow fever, chikungunya, zika and
Chagas may be present.
• Low incidence rates
• Collaboration with the CDC to develop
recommendation and track our population’s
in c i d e n c e
• I f p a r t i c i p a n t s f o l l o w o u r r e q u i r e d
g u i d e l i n e s t h e r i s k w i l l b e g r e a t l y
minimized.
• (For more details on specific diseases
see h t t p : / / w w w n c . c d c . g o v / t r a v e l /)
Preventing Insect Bite Related
I l l n e s s e s

31. • 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
a c t i v i t y .
Preventing Insect Bites

32. DEET vs No DEET

33. • Rabies – due to lower rates of animal
immunization, there is an increased risk of
anim als car ryin g r ab ies .
– Rabies is let hal once signs of infect ion
a r e p r e s e n t .
– 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
L i c k s

34. • 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
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i s v i a h o r s e b a c k .
• Rabies pre-exposure immunization is not
required by AMIGOS.
Rabies Prevention

35. • All prescription medication AMIGOS
p ar t i c i p a n ts ar e t a ki ng d u r i n g t h e
summer must be disclosed.
– Staff must have information available in
case of an emergency to prevent harmful
d r u g i n t e r a c t i o n s .
Prescription Medications

36. • Each project area has its own set of
requirements.
• Requirements are based on CDC
recommendations for t h e s p e c i f i c
r e g i o n of the host country
• S e e s p e c i f i c s i n t h e p a r t i c i p a n t
Health, Safety and Travel
G u i d e l i n e s .
Immunizations & Prophylactic
Prevention

37. • 24 hour On-Call system
• Supports the AMIGOS in-country
Project Leadership Team
• Operated by National Office
p r o f e s s i o n a l s t a f f
• See Administrative Policy for
s p e c i f i c r o l e s o f a l l p a r t i e s
i n v o l v e d .
Introduction to AMIGOS
On-Call Emergency Management System

38. • Focus is on supporting Project Leadership
Team 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
p r o f e s s i o n a l c o n s u l t a n t s .
On-Call System Focus

39. • All AMIGOS participants should bring a
b a s i c f i r s t a i d k i t .
– Treat minor symptoms
– Prevent infection, bug bites and sunburns
• All health symptoms should be noted in the
part icipant Healt h Log
– CALM Plan should be activate in any
questionable case!
• See PPG for list of recommended items.
F i r s t A i d K i t

40. • A specific “911” plan developed for
each AMIGOS host community to
connect them to their Project
Leadership Team, emergency care and
the AMIGOS On-Call system.
• The CALM Plan requires participants
to seek the closest and most
accessible source of assistance
f i r s t .
CALM Plan

41. • The 1s t step in every participant’s CALM Plan is
to contact their Project Leadership Team.
• 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

42. • Support participant s in preparing for a
healthy and safe summer.
• Empower participants to follow health and
s a f e t y p r o t o c o l .
• Understand AMIGOS protocol and know who you
should contact with questions.
Role of Parents

43. Questions?
Thank You!