SEVERE WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURE
Revised and Effective from December 30, 2008
For VODEC’s vocational programs IN IOWA

            Because VODEC is concerned about the safety of its consumers the following procedures should be followed when the Council Bluffs Community School District (CBCSD) makes announcements concerning severe winter weather.

CANCELLATIONS REGARDING THE WORK CENTER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS
            When the CBCSD closes for the day consumers should not report to the Work Center.
VODEC employees should report to the Work Center at normal starting time. Transportation will not be provided or arranged for consumers by VODEC.

LATE STARTS REGARDING THE WORK CENTER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS
            When the CBCSD announces a late start consumers should report to the Work Center per the late start announcement.  For example, if the CBCSD announces a 10 a.m. late start consumers should report by at least 10 a.m. (use good judgment, please). VODEC employees should report to the Work Center at normal starting time. The normal transportation will be available as provided or arranged for consumers by VODEC as close to adjusted time schedule as possible.

EARLY DISMISSALS REGARDING THE WORK CENTER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS
            Consumers will be excused as early as safely feasible when there’s a CBCSD early dismissal. For example, if CBCSD announce a 1 p.m. early dismissal then consumers will be excused from work by 1 p.m. or no sooner than transportation is available for them whichever can safely be accommodated first. There will be VODEC employees present until the last consumer leaves. VODEC employees should plan to work through their shifts but may be released early at the discretion of the CEO or designee.

Special notice to employees – If the CEO or designee decides the Work Center should be closed due to extraordinary severe winter weather the CEO or designee will contact media as early as possible to announce such decision. Employees may still report to the work center but would not be required to do so. An employee may be paid for lost time from work due to these severe winter weather procedures if he or she has available vacation leave time and requests to use it. VODEC employees should refer to current personnel policies for option of unpaid administrative leave.

SEVERE WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURE
Revised and Effective from December 30, 2008

For VODEC’s Work Center and Elm programs
IN NEBRASKA

            Because VODEC is concerned about the safety of its consumers the following procedures should be followed when the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) makes announcements concerning severe winter weather.

CANCELLATIONS REGARDING THE WORK CENTERS AND ELM in Nebraska
            Consumers should not report to the Work Center or day program (ELM) when the OPS close for the day. VODEC employees should report to their normal work site at normal starting time. Transportation will not be provided or arranged for consumers by VODEC.

LATE STARTS REGARDING THE WORK CENTERS AND ELM in Nebraska
            When the OPS announce a late start consumers should report to the Work Center and day program per the late start announcement.  For example, if the OPS announce a 10 a.m. late start consumers should report by at least 10 a.m. (use good judgment, please). VODEC employees should report to their normal work site at normal starting time. The normal transportation will be available as provided or arranged for consumers by VODEC as close to adjusted time schedule as possible.

EARLY DISMISSALS REGARDING THE WORK CENTERS AND ELM in Nebraska
            Consumers will be excused as early as safely feasible when there’s an OPS early dismissal. For example, if OPS announce a 1 p.m. early dismissal then consumers will be excused from work by 1 p.m. or no sooner than transportation is available for them whichever can safely be accommodated first. There will be VODEC employees present until the last consumer leaves. VODEC employees should plan to work through their shifts but may be released early at the discretion of the CEO or designee.

Special notice to employees – If the CEO or designee decides the Work Center should be closed due to extraordinary severe winter weather the CEO or designee will contact media as early as possible to announce such decision. Employees may still report to the work center but would not be required to do so. An employee may be paid for lost time from work due to these severe winter weather procedures if he or she has available vacation leave time and requests to use it. VODEC employees should refer to current personnel policies for option of unpaid administrative leave.

Special notice to consumers and care givers - A consumer or his or her care giver is also responsible for calling the consumer’s transit provider if the consumer will not be using the transit service on any given day, regardless of weather or reason. A morning route should be cancelled before 6 a.m., an afternoon route should be cancelled before 1 p.m. Failure to cancel by required time may result in a fee for the consumer equivalent to cost of the ride not cancelled.