Improving COVID-19 Practices in a Group Home Setting Through Staff Education

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges particularly among group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) given the close interactions and living arrangements of residents. Thus, the purpose of this project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on COVID-19 and COVID-19 infection control practices increased knowledge and awareness among caregivers working in a group home. A total of 10 individuals who worked as a caregiver in a group home agreed to participate in the educational intervention. Their average age was 43.30 (SD = 8.65), ranging from 31 to 57 years old. Eighty percent (n = 8) were male, and two participants (20%) identified as female. Their mean pretest score for knowledge was 9.00 (SD = 1.25), and the mean posttest score for knowledge was 8.90 (SD = 1.10). Using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, there was no statistically significant difference between pre- and posttest scores among the participants (z = -4.47, p > 0.05). The mean pretest score for awareness of the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with IDD was 4.70 (SD = 2.41), while the mean posttest score for awareness of the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with IDD being 6.70 (SD = 0.67). A Wilcoxon Signed Rank test showed that there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and posttest scores, indicating an increase in awareness of the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with IDD among the participants (z = -2.03, p < 0.05). By implementing an educational intervention, the organization increased awareness of the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with IDD among caregivers with the hope that the awareness translates into practice to promote positive patient, provider, and organizational outcomes and, ultimately, positive social change.