In response to guidance by health authorities, community events and meetings have changed for the near future. This post will be updated as information is avaiable.
updated April 1, 2020
STATEWIDE SCHEDULES
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — West Virginia’s primary election is postponed due to COVID-19.
Governor Jim Justice announced the state’s primary election will now be set for June 9. The primary election was originally set for May 12.
BUSINESS RESOURCES, TAXES
| RCBI continues to serve our clients |
| Although we have modified our regular operations — with most of our staff working from home — we are available on-site at RCBI to assist manufacturers. We are taking every precaution to reduce risk to our clients and staff.
If you or your company is experiencing COVID-19 related illness and you have a project or work order that needs completed, please call us at 800.469.7224 to learn how we can assist in completing that project. We are proud that we can continue to be a resource for manufacturers, small businesses and entrepreneurs during this difficult time. |
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| Important information to assist you during the COVID-19 pandemic |
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As a resource for entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses and manufacturers, the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) at Marshall University is sharing links to important information to help you navigate this unprecedented time in our nation’s economy. FINANCING & LOANS: The U.S. Small Business Administration‘s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with advances of up to $10,000 and working capital loans of up to $2 million. Details The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) does not provide direct loans but can assist small businesses in identifying funding options and offer assistance in structuring loans and refinancing. Details The CARES Act provides up to $377 billion to help prevent workers from losing jobs and small businesses from closing due to economic losses caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Details HEALTH & SAFETY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers specific guidance about how to reduce the risk of virus transmission, maintain a safe work environment and keep your business operational during this crisis. Details The CDC has issued specific steps individuals can take to avoid getting sick and spreading COVID-19. Details The Occupational Safety & Health Administration provides detailed information on preparing your workplace in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Details The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources maintains a COVID-19 resource page, which includes the latest information about how the virus is affecting the state. Details The World Health Organization offers guidance on how to minimize risk in the workplace. Details TAXES: The IRS has extended the deadline for individuals and businesses to pay and file taxes until July 15, 2020. Details The West Virginia State Tax Department has implemented several changes to tax policy in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Details
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The State of West Virginia has waived the waiting period and relaxed requirements for those seeking unemployment compensation. Details DISASTER PLANNING: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides resources for how businesses should prepare and react during the pandemic. Details The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers information about how to develop and implement a business continuity plan to ensure operations during times of disaster. Details The U.S. Small Business Administration provides disaster preparedness advice about how to manage your business during emergencies. Details |
SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — In a normal world, kids in Cabell County would be back in school this week after spring break, but instead they’re still getting instruction at home.
Cabell County Schools is introducing a new portal on its website to give parents and students the resources they need to make during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cabell County Schools is introducing a new portal on its website to give parents and students the resources they need to make the most of this unusual chapter. For more information, CLICK HERE.
“Connected Classroom” is meant to help students and parents find all the information they need while schools are closed, including how to find assignments, take tests and get meals.
“Our school district, teachers, and all of our employees are dedicated to making sure our students have the resources, and the families have the resources necessary for them to be successful,” Superintendent Ryan Saxe said.
Kids have access to the district’s wireless network without having to go in the buildings.
School buses with Wi-Fi service will be parked in locations across the county serving as wireless hotspots, and most schools in the county have been enabled to serve as internet hotspots as well.
“If students don’t have Wi-Fi access at home,” Saxe said, “they can go up to these school buses within about a 50 to 100-foot radius and have free Wi-Fi internet access.”
Natalie Moulton, a mother of two, says she’s grateful for accommodations being made.
“I’ve been able to get in contact with teachers as much as I need to, especially if we’re having an issue and don’t know how to do something,” Moulton said. “That’s been amazing.”
Saxe says teachers will be contacting students at least once a week.
He says the district will be flexible as they work with families in this unusual time, and for those who don’t have access to computers or the internet, schools will be passing out instructional learning packets.
CLICK BELOW to watch the full news story
https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Cabell-County-Schools-helping–569271401.html
MEETINGS
Cabell County Family Resource Network: Network Meetings held on the 4th Tuesday at 9:30 am will not be held in person.
Conference call option is listed under FRN meeting info post.
Cabell County Coalition for A Tobacco Free Environment:
Conference call on March 23, 2020 at noon
Email Teresa for strategic plan, meeting minutes and information on accessing the conference call line. I am looking forward to hearing from our coalition members. Teresa Mills-CTTS, Prevention Coordinator, Cabell-Huntington Health Department, 703 7th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701, 304-523-6483 ext. 283, Teresa.mills@chhdwv.gov
United Way Initiatives: Education Matters, Success by 6, Prevention Empowerment Partnership, Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership, Empower- Financial Stabilty and Volunteer Engagement
After much consideration, United Way of the River Cities has decided to suspend all events through April 13, 2020. This decision does not come lightly. We are following those recommendations that are being updated locally, state-wide, and nationally from the government, United Way WorldWide, and other local organizations. As a community-focused organization, we want to ensure the health and security of those in our service area. While we are suspending all events, we will still maintain our current office hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.
To help me help you during this unprecedented time, please do a couple of things for me as soon as you possibly can:
First, please look at the Volunteer Opportunities that you have posted on www.unitedwevolunteer.org. Some are for fixed date events and some are ongoing. Some may have been posted a long time ago, so please take a close look. If you have made changes to your operating procedures, hours, closed your building to the public, or anything else that might affect things posted on the system, please make the appropriate changes (or call me and I’ll make them for you). If you just need to suspend an opportunity that you will re-post after the virus scare has passed, you can change the status to “Pending” from “Active.” Then it will just be there to make active again later. Again, feel free to call and I’ll make the changes for you.
Second, what are your needs related to the virus? Do you need more help because regular volunteers aren’t coming in? Do you need additional donations of specific items? Just more donations, period? If you will e-mail those needs to me, I am going to put together an initiative that we will promote on social media (and that you can also promote). This is what we did with Holiday Giving opportunities last November.
Finally, please also let us know what protocols you have put in place to protect both your staff, volunteers, clients and visitors. These might include restricting volunteers to a specific age group, reminding folk only to volunteer if they are healthy, or changing the way people drop off donations. We’ll include your protocols in the opportunity posting.
Thank you for everything you do for the River Cities, and especially for what you’re doing to help our community get through this period of social distancing. Most of all, thank you for helping us get the word out to our communities about your opportunities!
Change doesn’t happen alone.
W. Brent Sturm Volunteer Engagement Coordinator United Way of the River Cities, Inc. 820 Madison Avenue Huntington, WV 25704 Phone (304) 523-8929 ext. 107 Email brent.sturm@unitedwayrivercities.org www.unitedwayrivercities.org www.unitedwevolunteer.org
Cabell County Public Library and all branch locations will be closed until further notice, and all scheduled programs are canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause; however, we want to do our part to protect the public and our staff. You can still return materials to our book drops; however, books will not be due until the library is open.
Fines will not be charged for overdue materials while we are closed.
The drive-up window will be open from 9 to 5 Monday- Friday to pick up holds.
Please do not come to pick up your holds until we have notified you. We ask that you only place holds from books showing available at the Main Library.
We will reassess our situation weekly and let you know our plans moving forward.
Thank you for your patience while we navigate this unfamiliar territory. As always, we appreciate your support.
Feel free visit us online at www.cabell.lib.wv.us while we are closed. We have a lot of great electronic resources available for you to use. We encourage you to use Overdrive, Hoopla, and Libby during this time!
As always, stay safe and informed!
Update: We have also decided to postpone the Library Gala. We will update you as we have more information. The tentative date is June 20th.
SOURCE: www.cabell.lib.wv.us
CONFERENCES
April 8-10, 2020 -Celebrating Connections is cancelled
SOURCE: http://www.wvdhhr.org/birth23/
April 22-23, 2020 – 2020 THINK Conference is cancelled
The Mission WV team takes this situation very seriously and we want to assure you that we are complying fully with all directives and suggestions by the CDC, local and state government to prevent any transmission of the coronavirus.
Because of that, we’ve decided to cancel the 2020 THINK Conference. All conference attendees and vendors who have already sent in payment will receive a full refund. The Mission WV team will begin processing those refunds soon. If you have any questions regarding a refund, please email rwhite@missionwv.org.
To help fill in the gap of our annual conference, we are working on hosting some regional trainings. The trainings will contain some of the topics (and speakers) that we would have covered at the THINK Conference but will be much smaller in nature. We will email once those details have been ironed out.
As always, we are here to serve you and are open our regular office hours.
SOURCE: https://www.missionwv.org/
SERVICES
CONTACT serves victims of sexual assault and stalking in Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo and Wayne counties in West Virginia.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, CONTACT Rape Crisis Center will not be providing face-to-face advocacy for victims of sexual assault in the hospital, with law enforcement, or in court. However, we remain available 24/7 to provide support services via phone or text. Please call our hotline 304-399-1111 to speak to an advocate. You do not have to be alone!
UPDATE March 23, 2020 – Homeless Coalition
Safe Haven: Due to a staffing issue, Safe Haven is currently not accepting intakes.
Information and Referral Services: The Cabell County Public Library and all branches will close effective 5pm. Instead of calling 211 and entering a zip code, you will need to press option 3. 211 has diverted their calls to those working from home.
Recovery Point of West Virginia is not accepting intakes.
CoC and ESG-funded emergency shelters remain open for persons experiencing homelessness.
Amanda Coleman, Ph.D., Executive Director
Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless, 627 4th Avenue, Huntington, WV, 25701
(304)523-2764, ext. 101
UPDATE March 23, 2020 – LINK Childcare Resource & Referral
We have received guidance from the State of WV DHHR to close to the public immediately. We will be adhering to this request ASAP.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, Link CCR&R will be working remotely to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Clients can call our office for assistance in applying and drop off forms in our drop box. Providers can drop off payment forms in the drop box. Forms can also be emailed or faxed to 304-697-4821. Training and technical assistance visits will be temporarily suspended.
Our Huntington office phone number is 304-523-9540. Logan office is 304-752-3932.
You can email us at RRCabellLink@wv.gov for assistance or leave staff a detailed voicemail message and we will return it as soon as possible.
March 20, 2020 update from Robert C. Byrd Institute
RCBI is committed to the health and safety of our employees, students and customers. In response to directives to reduce in-person contact by the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and state officials, we are modifying our operations by limiting on-site staffing and having employees work from home.
Beginning March 23, RCBI will transition to modified operations,including the use of technology that will allow our customers to meet their deadlines, respond to their customers and continue to innovate right here in West Virginia.
We are proud that RCBI can be a resource for you during these challenging times. Please call ahead using the contact information for our Advanced Technology Centers, Maker Vault and Innovation Center listed below.
RCBI Huntington Advanced Technology Center
Tel: 304.781.1665 or 800.469.RCBI (7224)
Brian Brown: 304.654.8481
Mike Sutton: 304.654.2914
Maker Vault & Innovation Center
Deacon Stone: 304.781.1659 (Office) 304.690.1197
RCBI Charleston Advanced Technology Center
Tel: 304.720.7738 or 800.469.RCBI (7224)
Arley Carpenter: 304.389.2683
Eddie Webb: 304.654.8474
RCBI Bridgeport
Tel: 304.848.2289 or 800.469.RCBI (7224)
Arley Carpenter: 304.389.2683
Rick Reed: 440.382.3536
Our full staff listing from our website can be found at this link.
Social Security Offices – Effective March 17, 2020, Will Only Offer Phone Service ** Online Services Remain Available **
All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are still able to provide critical services.
Our secure and convenient online services remain available at www.socialsecurity.gov. Local offices will also continue to provide critical services over the phone. We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local governments, and other experts to monitor COVID-19 and will let you know as soon as we can resume in-person service.
CLICK PDF below to find the steps to follow if you need help from Social Security
SSA office hours COVID – 19 press release 3-17-2020
SOURCE: Kimberly Stephens, Public Affairs Specialist, 301 9th Street, Third Floor, Huntington, WV 25701, Phone: (866)894-8525 ext 19820, Fax: (304)529-5596, Kimberly.Stephens@ssa.gov
With you through life’s journey…create your online account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount
updated March 23, 2020
Information and Referral Services at Harmony House: Due to COVID-19 and concerns of social distancing, social service agencies closing, and the growing number of businesses either closing or not hiring during this unprecedented time, I&R will be writing the shelter vouchers for two weeks instead of one. Clients receiving a one-time voucher, due to being on either SSI/SSDI, or other fixed incomes and not having the funds available to pay HCM PPF at time of entry will remain the same.
Trinity Episcopal Saturday Outreach: This Saturday (3/21) will be the last Saturday morning outreach in Trinity’s parking lot until further notice.
BUSINESSES
Huntington, WV Area Independents (How We Can Support Small Businesses): https://www.facebook.com/groups/812512992586536/
STATEWIDE INFO
Our Future WV
Here is what’s happening and we invite you to join us…
- Do you have resources to share and/or immediate needs? Visit and join WV FOOD ER 2020 (Facebook group). Folks are sharing and caring in mutual aid there. Coming soon (will share via email and social media)…. comprehensive and user friendly web portal to share…
- Take the Census…West Virginia needs to be counted more than ever now. You may have received your invite in the mail already…here – 2020 Census.gov is the online form that is simple and easy to complete and takes 10 minutes or less.
- Join us and our partners as we ask state leadership to shore up West Virginia’s safety net during COVID-19 – WV Center for Budget and Policy blog
- Stay connected with Our Future West Virginia Facebook and Count Me in WV Facebook
Jennifer Wells, Director