NEWS & STORIES
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Resumes Indoor Core Program Activities
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc (PHWFF) continues to implement their gradual process to resume specific core program activities. Their process includes appropriate protocols designed to reduce the risk of transmission and infection of COVID-19 between the organization’s volunteers, participants, and staff. On July 19, 2021, the organization resumed indoor core program activities and further expanded outdoor healing gatherings for all PHWFF programs Nationwide.
In accordance with recent CDC Guidance and due to greatly increased fully vaccinated percentages within our organization and across the nation, individuals no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Physical Distancing provides an extra precaution to reduce the risk for employee, volunteer, or participant exposure to COVID-19 and PHWFF recommends that all individuals carry and wear masks during all indoor program activities and/or when they cannot maintain adequate physical distancing from other individuals or if high risk individuals are present at any activity or event.
“Our programs provide physical and emotional recovery, encourage engagement, and create a community where our participants can heal,’ says Todd Desgrosseilliers, the organization’s President & Chief Executive Officer. The resumption of indoor core program activities is a great step forward and is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers to provide our unique brand of healing. Thanks to them we will continue to hear these five words from disabled veteran participants across our Nation: ‘This program saved my life.’
PHWFF continues to make each decision using current healthcare industry data with participant, volunteer, staff, and community risk management and well-being remaining as their top priority – while they comply with local, state, and federal guidance and restrictions.
On March 13, 2020, PHWFF suspended in-person program activities and quickly pivoted to virtual programming to prevent further COVID-19 spread in the communities they serve and to protect the health and well-being of their participants, volunteers, and staff.
The Engagement Plan represents the culmination of over 12 months of continuous effort by a working group composed of the organization’s volunteer leaders, headquarters staff, legal counsel, and insurance provider.
Since its implementation earlier this year, PHWFF achieved significant milestones in their Engagement Plan. PHWFF launched limited in-person outdoor program activities on March 13, 2021, with a test group of 12 programs. Following this successful test group, it quickly expanded on April 1, 2021, to encompass all PHWFF programs nationwide. During this same period, the organization successfully progressed to implement expanded Multiple Participant Outdoor Healing Gatherings around the nation to include groups of up to 20 individuals per gathering; expanded activities include fly tying and rod building classes; and additional activities for fly fishing outings.
The organization acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid, evolving situation. As the situation further develops, PHWFF will make assessments regarding future in-person meetings, activities, events, and outings and advance from phase to phase as outlined in their comprehensive Engagement Plan. PHWFF will make each decision using current healthcare industry data with participant, volunteer, staff, and community risk management and well-being remaining as their top priority.