Resources & Information | COVID-19 Response

Arts & Culture

Early Childhood/Children & Families

  • Ready4K Family Workshops: Family Fun Hour! – Unlike traditional workshops, Ready4K Family Fun Hour is a live, virtual event that will have your kids and their grown-ups practicing adding easy, fun learning activities into daily routines. With modeled moments integrated into interactive games, songs, stories, and puppet shows, it’s no surprise that kids can’t wait to get their next invitation to Ready4K Family Fun Hour.
  • Following territory-wide school closures due to the coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic, the Virgin Islands Department of Education will distribute breakfast and lunch to students attending V.I. public, private and parochial schools in its “No V.I. Child Goes Hungry” feeding initiative. Click here for distribution details.
  • Families In Schools wants to continue to support families across California and beyond. That is why we are continuing to provide updated resources on our website in English and Spanish. If you would like to contribute links to additional resources, please contact our team at communications@familiesinschools.org. We have also decided to relaunch the Families In Schools Reading Challenge (formerly known as the Million Word Challenge) to encourage children ages 0-18 to continue learning. We will have weekly reading challenges as well as a daily compassion challenges to support the health and wellness of families. If your family is interested in participating, please join the FIS Reading & Compassion Challenge Facebook Group.
  • Creating a New Routine for Your Child: While school closures are important to ensuring our safety, we realize they are not only interrupting our daily routine but the routines of our children as well. A regular routine will help children feel like they are still on a normal schedule and help keep them learning during their time away from school. 
  • Selecting the Best Resources for Your Child: Fortunately, there are thousands of resources available online today for students to continue learning even while their school is closed. However, it is not always clear, which resources families should direct their students to. It can feel overwhelming, but here are some questions to consider when reviewing educational resources for students of all ages.
  • Tech-Talk Announces Free Learning for Students, Teachers and Patrons
  • Tips for Families: Coronavirus – The following resources offer tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing. You can also download these free talking tips that use research-based techniques for increasing early talk in infants and toddlers.
  • Detailed daily schedules for students ages 4 to 18 that parents, teachers and district administrators can use to keep students learning at home. As a mission-focused non-profit, it is Khan Academy’s duty to do our part to ensure students keep learning amidst the school closures. We also want to support teachers and parents to the best of our ability as we navigate this crisis together.
  • A fact sheet and a leader lesson for those interacting with children and helping them understand the concepts of money, time, and skills. 
  • To help parents and caregivers manage through these difficult times, the Clinton Foundation created the “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” Indoor Activities Kit. From building forts to starting a family band, this resource provides ideas to keep little ones engaged and learning while at home through talking, reading, and singing.

Community and Business

  • MicroMentor, a social innovation of Mercy Corps, thanks to the support of Bacardi has produced a series of online mentoring sessions:
  1. Running your Business through Crisis and Beyond – JP Michielsen, successful businessman and entrepreneur – Bahamas WATCH HERE
  2. Managing your Finances in a Crisis Scenario- Dr. Glenn A. Metts, BBA MBA CPA Ph.D. WATCH HERE
  3. Lead and take care of yourself and your Team- Marjorie Rawls Roberts “Jorie” ,  her firm Marjorie Rawls Roberts, P.C. WATCH HERE
  • My Brother’s Workshop Pay it Forward Program – Help feed those in need. During our Covid-19 response efforts, MBW was able to prepare and serve 37,923 meals to our vulnerable community members on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Our “Meals on Wheels” program has ended, however, there are still people in the community in need of assistance. With our new “Pay it Forward” program, donors will be able to purchase meal vouchers that are valid for one meal from our cafe. These vouchers make a great gift for friends, employees, or to be given to someone in need of a meal for any reason.
  • If you or someone you know feels ill, STAY HOME! Call VIDOH for screening:
    • STT/STJ: 340-776-1519
    • STX: 340-712-6299
  • If you or someone you know are over age 60 and live alone, please Register with VIDHS’ Senior registry: Call 340-774-1166. For more information, click here.
  • VITEMA and territorial partners are operating a special Hotline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days per week to answer non-medical questions you may have on the COVID-19 (coronavirus) impact to the Territory. We will be collecting information, or have agency representatives available from the Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Licensing & Consumer Affairs, Department of Tourism and other partners to answer your non-medical questions. The number to call for non-medical information is (340) 715-6843. For more information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the USVI Department of Health’s website, doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 888777.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to apply. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. For assistance, applicants may call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. SBDC staff on both St. Thomas and St. Croix are also available for assistance in person by making an appointment at 340-693-1694.
  • In response to the Covid19 Pandemic, the USVI Department of Human Services’ Medical Assistance Program (MAP) announces relaxed federal authorities for enrollment and eligibility, patient care, and provider enrollment requirements (See attachment for full details).
  • SEED SPOT has pulled together a list of resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses overcome challenges related to COVID-19/Coronavirus.
  • Volunteer your time and expertise to support nonprofits. One of the ways we’ve been supporting our nonprofit community with unexpected COVID-19 challenges is through a virtual volunteer matchmaking platform, Catchafire. The resource is designed to help nonprofits operationally respond to evolving communities’ needs by sourcing on-demand virtual volunteers who can donate time and hard skills in short-terms ways including email outreach, response communications, fundraising, and operations management.
  • Support Virgin Islands Initiative – Know of a business forced to temporarily close due to coronavirus? Let them know of this new campaign to support our local businesses here in the USVI. Visit www.SupportVI.org for more information.
  • The Safety In Paradise (SIP) Program would like to extend its services to assist non-profit organizations in dealing with COVID-19. Safety In Paradise is a free and confidential OSHA consultation service provided by the University of the Virgin Islands – Center for Excellence and Leadership and Learning (UVICELL).  Services are available at no cost to private-sector employers and non-profits. The goal of SIP is to help employers establish and maintain effective occupational safety and health programs to keep the workplace healthful and safe.  Services are available in English and Spanish. For COVID-19 resources, visit the Safety In Paradise website at https://safety.uvi.edu.  For online assistance, please send an email to safetyinparadise@uvi.edu or complete the form using the following link https://forms.gle/ehyAAEGD7gQW9ZqL7.