COVID-19 Resources

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, so do policies and procedures for supporting students and communitites. Below are some of the resources and information RGV FOCUS has gathered from across the nation, state of Texas and Rio Grande Valley. This webpage was last updated on 4/21/2020. If you have questions or have a resource that should be added to the list, please email RGV FOCUS Deputy Director, Gerald Gonzales, Jr. at ggonzales@cftexas.org.

National Resources

COVID-19

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • The most reliable source of information regarding COVID-19 health facts, precautions, and the latest updates
  • Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
  • Guidance for Faith/Community Organizations
• USA.gov: Government Response to COVID-19
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): COVID-19 Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments

EDUCATION

• Department of Education: COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
• Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd): Timely and useful information for education and policymakers to support students in the best ways possible
• National College Attainment Network (NCAN): CARES Act Resources for College Students
• Teach Plus: Learning resources and activities for remote learning
• Pathways to Adult Success: Forum on “Supporting High School Seniors during COVID-19”
• The Education Trust:
  • COVID-19: Impact on education equity resources & responses. Resources from around the country for parents and families, teachers, advocates, and policymakers
  • The Ed Trust National Call Recording - 4.9.2020
  • The Ed Trust COVID-19 Impact on Education Equity Resources and Responses (Website)
  • What Federal Stimulus Means for Public Education PowerPoint
  • 5 Things State Leaders Should Do to Ensure Federal Stimulus Funds Are Used Equitably
  • A P-12 Education Agenda in Response to COVID-19
  • A Higher Education Agenda in Response to COVID-19
  • The Education Trust Letter to State Chiefs Regarding COVID-19 Response
  • The CARES Act Education Fact Sheet
  • Four Steps State Leaders Can Take To Advance “Pandemic EBT” Implementation Fact Sheet
• Julia Stiglitz - Partner at GSV Ventures. Formerly at Coursera, Google Apps for Edu, and Teach For America: A list of quality free online education resources for elementary students and parents impacted by school closures

WORKFORCE

• U.S. Department of Labor (USDL):
  • Resources to help workers and employers prepare for COVID-19
  • “How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?”

BUSINESS

• USDL Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• U.S. Small Business Administration: Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

State Resources

COVID-19

• Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, The State of Texas Governor: Information on how the State of Texas is handling the pandemic
• Texas Department of State Health Services: The State’s response in working closely with the CDC to respond to the COVID‑19
• Texas.gov: Official website of the State of Texas with important COVID-19 information and helpful resources
• Texas Health and Human Services: The outbreak of the COVID-19 and related responses like social distancing can impact our mental health and psychological well-being. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and substance use services are offered for families and people of all ages.

EDUCATION

• Texas Education Agency (TEA):
  • COVID-19 support and guidance related to education
  • At-home learning resources for school districts. These are optional resources intended to assist in the delivery of educational resources during this public health crisis.
• Connected Nation Texas: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are engaging to help Texans during COVID-19
• Teach Plus Texas
  • Plus One - Making Remote Learning Work for Every Texas Student. This program is about providing you with the FREE support and collaboration you need and deserve -- a program led by teachers for teachers.
  • Ready to Lead Fellow, Coral Zayas: Staying Connected Through Remote Learning” website
• The University of Texas at Austin Charles A. Dana Center: As institutions shift to videoconferencing and distance learning platforms, many instructors have questions about the most effective approaches for these new teaching circumstances. Join this free, open webinar series to share strategies for success in transitioning your higher education mathematics courses to virtual teaching.

WORKFORCE

• Texas Workforce Commission
  • COVID-19 resources for job seekers and COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Update
  • COVID-19 resources for childcare
  • Information on unemployment benefits services and how to apply
  • WorkinTexas.com job board for searching for jobs in Texas

BUSINESS

• Texas Economic Development: Important updates, resources and information for Texas businesses
• Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): COVID-19 resources for employers

LOCAL RESOURCES

COVID-19

• Cameron County
• Cameron County Public Health
• Cornerstone Regional Hospital
• Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance (DHR Health)
• Driscoll Children’s Hospital
• Edinburg Children’s Hospital
• Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley
• Harlingen Medical Center
• Hidalgo County
• Hidalgo County Health and Human Services
• Knapp Medical Center
• McAllen Heart Hospital
• McAllen Medical Center
• Mission Regional Medical Center
• Rio Grande Regional Hospital
• Starr County
• Starr County Memorial Hospital
• Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville
• Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen
• Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville
• Willacy County

EDUCATION

• ARISE Adelante: Community-based program that promotes the personal development and empowerment of the immigrant community through educational programs
• La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE): Founded by labor rights activist César Chávez & Dolores Huerta, LUPE builds stronger, healthier communities where colonia residents use the power of civic engagement for social change
• Emergency Meals-to-You: The Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty has joined together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, McLane Global, PepsiCo and others in a national effort called Emergency Meals-to-You, which delivers food boxes to students in a limited number of rural schools closed to help curb the spread of the COVID-19. School Districts can get more information on how to qualify and apply.
• McAllen Public Library
• Our Lady of the Lake University Rio Grande Valley
• Rio Grande City Public Library
• Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network (RGV EVN): Works to advance the human rights and quality of life for historically marginalized groups in the region
• South Texas College
• Texas Southmost College
• Texas State Technical College
• University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

WORKFORCE

• Workforce Solutions (WFS)
  • Resources in Response to COVID-19 to serve Starr, Hidalgo and Willacy counties job seekers with the skills, and business with the talent they need to be successful
  • Child Care Assistance
  • Unemployment Benefits
  • Economic Impact Payments
• Workforce Solutions Cameron (WFSC): Workforce Solutions Cameron is the local workforce partnership organization providing workforce resources for Cameron County
  • COVID-19 Child Care Services Update

BUSINESS

• Workforce Solutions (WFS): COVID-19 information and resources for Texas Employers from the Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers
• The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation: COVID-19 resources detailing how to apply for various programs available for small businesses
• Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
• Edinburg Economic Development Corporation
• Edinburg Chamber of Commerce
• Harlingen Economic Development Corporation
• Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce
• Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC)
  • Impact Planning for COVID-19
• McAllen Economic Development Corporation
• McAllen Chamber of Commerce
• Mission Economic Development Corporation
• Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce
• Pharr Economic Development Corporation
• Raymondville Chamber of Commerce
• Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation
• Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation
• South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
• Starr County Industrial Foundation