Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass COVID-19 Updates

Stay tuned for updates on committee meetings, orientations, Match events, fundraisers, and events. We have also included a list of resources for families and individuals in Fayette, Montgomery, Madison and Boyle Counties below. 

Office Hours

Our Fayette County office is currently open from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. We will have minimal in-office staffing through the end of 2020. However, all staff are working remotely and can be reached via cellphone or email. Click here for a list of staff contact information.

Match Outings

In-person meetings between Bigs and Littles are now allowed with certain guidelines. The health and safety of all of those involved is of the utmost importance, and each Big, Little, and Parent/Guardian must be comfortable before these in-person visits can resume. We know this will not happen for all matches; we continue to encourage you to connect virtually and we will continue to offer ideas and virtual activities. For matches that are currently not meeting in-person, we have compiled a list of creative ways to engage and stay in touch. Click here to learn more.

For Bigs, Littles, and Parents/Guardians who would like to conduct an in-person visit, we ask that you follow these guidelines for the time being:

  • Decision to Meet – The Big, Little, and Parent/Guardian must all be comfortable seeing each other in-person. Regardless of the Little’s age, the visit must be approved by the Parent/Guardian ahead of time. If you are not comfortable with an in-person meeting right now, we completely support that decision and encourage you to continue connecting virtually.

  • Location of Meeting – Visits should occur outdoors at the residence of the Little, Big, or another location that accommodates social distancing measures.

  • Transportation – Bigs are not permitted to transport Littles at this time. A Parent/Guardian can transport a Little to meet a Big.

  • Protective Measures – Anyone participating in the visit must wear a mask. If masks are needed, please contact your case manager prior to scheduling a visit.  We have ordered masks and hope to have those on hand within the next couple weeks.    If anyone in the match does not currently have a mask, we ask that you wait to meet in-person until we can supply you with a mask. Anyone participating in the visit should adhere to social distancing guidelines and stay at least 6 feet apart. As always, please wash and sanitize hands before and after the visit.

We believe it’s important to take protective measures and consider risks for everyone in both the Big’s and Little’s households. We do not recommend in-person visits, if anyone living in either home:

  • is considered to be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19;

  • works in healthcare and has an increased likelihood of exposure to COVID-19; and/or

  • has a fever, is sick with a cough or cold, or does not feel well for any reason.


NATIONAL COVID-19 UPDATES

Click here to view the latest information regarding COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 


KENTUCKY RESOURCES AND UPDATES

COVID-19 UPDATES

Click here to view the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s website communicating the latest information about COVID-19. A hotline has also been setup at (800) 722-5725.

CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE FUND

Led by a partnership between United Way of the Bluegrass and Blue Grass Community Foundation, the Coronavirus Response Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations in our joint service region working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic consequences of this outbreak. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.bgcf.org/coronavirus.


FAYETTE COUNTY RESOURCES AND UPDATES

COVID-19 UPDATES

Click here to view Lexington’s website for COVID-19 updates.

FAYETTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Fayette County Health Department website can be viewed here, and their Facebook page can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/LFCHD/.

FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RESOURCES

  • FCPS Learning Unplugged - To access Fayette County Public School’s full Learning Unplugged packet and other FCPS resources, visit fcps.net/covid19.

  • Medical Care - Bluegrass HealthFirst Clinics at FCPS schools will remain open to provide medical care for children and families. Click here for a list of clinics and to call to schedule an appointment.

  • Mental Health - District Mental Health Professionals will be on call to help students and families. To access this service call 859-381-4100.

  • FRYSC - Family Resource and Youth Service Centers will be available by phone to support families with essential needs. Click here for a list of FRYSCs.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

  • FCPS Feeding Sites - Children can receive free food at Lexington schools courtesy of Fayette County Public Schools. Click here for more information.

  • God’s Pantry Assistance - God’s Pantry has set up a website with information about COVID-19 assistance. Click here to view. Information can also be found on God Pantry’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/godspantryfoodbank.

  • Restaurant Worker's Relief Program - The LEE Initiative, short for Let's Empower Employment, is expanding its reach to Lexington. The initiative will set up in Great Bagel & Bakery on Boston Road (3650 Boston Road, Suite 108, Lexington), Thursday, March 26. With the help of Makers Mark, The LEE Initiative is offering help to anyone in need of food and/or supplies. Each night, hundreds of to-go dinners will be packed and offered to recently unemployed restaurant workers. The dinners are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. They are limited to one per person, unless there is an emergency situation. Pick-up time is 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. nightly. In order to receive a meal, or other supplies, you must show proper ID and have identifying paperwork to prove recent employment at a restaurant. Click here to read more.

  • Humana Basic Needs Program - If a Humana member is food insecure, they can request a meal kit delivery for a member in need. The Basic Needs Team will quickly match the request to a resource and fulfill the request. Meal referrals can be submitted to Kelli Soard at [email protected] and must include the following: Member Name; Address; Phone Number; Member Number; Member Date of Birth; Which Plan (Medicare, Commerical, Medicaid); Dietary Restrictions; Can they store freezer meals or are shelf-stable meals needed?

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

  • Families First - If you know someone who needs access to formula, diapers or other basic needs for their family, Families First might be able to help. Call the Family Care Center (859-288-4040) and leave a message detailing your name and phone number. Someone will return your call within 24 hours and schedule a curbside pickup time at our distribution location (Family Care Center, 1135 Harry Sykes Way). Please note: You must first call and receive a confirmation prior to visiting the distribution location. They are unable to provide items to those dropping by the distribution location.

  • Operation: Compassion - Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has started Operation: Compassion for those who need medications, groceries or essential supplies picked up. They will provide welfare checks for loved ones who may be shut-in. For assistance, call (859) 252-1771.

  • Mutual Aid - A Mutual Aid Assistance form has been created to connect those who either need or are able to provide assistance. Click here to complete the form.


MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESOURCES AND UPDATES

COUNTY WEBSITE

https://montgomerycounty.ky.gov/

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Click here for updates from the Montgomery County Health Department. Their Facebook page can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyHealth/.

MT. STERLING ADVOCATE

The Mt. Sterling Advocate has been posting updates on closings and delays in the county via their Facebook page and website.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

  • Montgomery County Public Schools – A complete list of feeding sites can be viewed here.

  • Sterling Community Food Coalition – The coalition will resume service on March 19. Updates can be found via their Facebook page.


MADISON COUNTY RESOURCES AND UPDATES

COUNTY WEBSITE

https://www.madisoncountyky.us/

MADISON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Click here to view the Madison County Health Department’s website or click here for their Facebook page.

THE RICHMOND REGISTER

The Richmond Register has been posting regular updates concerning COVID-19 on their website and Facebook page.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Madison County Schools, Berea Kids Eat and Berea Community Schools have teamed up to make sure children ages 18 and younger will stay fed during the break for COVID-19. Click here to learn more.


BOYLE COUNTY RESOURCES AND UPDATES

COUNTY WEBSITE

http://boyleky.com/

BOYLE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Information on Boyle County Health Department’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. Updates have also been posted to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/healthyBoyleCo.

THE ADVOCATE MESSENGER

The Advocate Messenger has been posting regular updates concerning COVID-19 on their website and Facebook page.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

If you are in need of food support during the school cancellation due to COVID-19, you can complete the survey found here.


VIRTUAL RESOURCES

  • 10 Percent Happier - In times like these, we need practical, actionable ways of coping with stress, fear, and anxiety. The meditations, podcasts, blog posts, and talks on the page found here can help you build resilience and find some calm amidst the chaos.

  • ABCmouse - ABCmouse.com is offering their lessons in different subjects like math, science and art for free thanks to UNICEF. All you have to do is go to ABCmouse.com/redeem and type in the code "AOFLUNICEF".

  • Scholastic - Scholastic Learn at Home is also offering their lessons for free. You can choose activities within from grade levels between PreK and 6+. These include e-books kids can read along with, and educational videos under their "Watch and learn Library.”

  • Google Museum Tours - Google is offering free virtual tours of more than 1,200 museums across the globe through their Arts and Culture

  • Khan Academy – The Khan Academy is a free resource with a library of standards-aligned lessons covering kindergarten through early college math, grammar, science, history, AP® courses, SAT® preparation, and more. They have created additional resources in response to COVID-19. Learn more and sign up at https://www.khanacademy.org/.

  • Prodigy Math Games – Prodigy Math Games is a free engaging, curriculum-aligned math platform loved by over 50 million students, teachers and admins. Sign up at https://www.prodigygame.com/.

  • Other Online Resources - Click here for a list of Virtual Field Trips, Learning Resources, Video Content, Activities, and Online Reading Resources, courtesy of the Gateway Regional Arts Center.