Information about coronavirus in UNITE Region
Face masks are required to be worn in public
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Message
to UNITE
Constituents
UNITE hopes you and your family continue to stay healthy and safe at home during these unprecedented times. Our region is no different than other regions of the state. We are dealing with the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – precautionary restrictions to travel, closures of schools and businesses, and changes to our normal routines. These are uncharted and uncertain times.
Operation UNITE staff, while adhering to social distancing and travel recommendations issued by Governor Andy Beshear under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), remains available to help and support our UNITE Community Coalitions and partners.
- Individuals can still receive assistance in obtaining vouchers for treatment (1-866-908-6483) or seek guidance from our dedicated Treatment team members.
- Our toll-free Drug Tip Line (1-866-424-4382) continues to be monitored.
- Anyone across the Commonwealth who needs information or resources regarding a substance use disorder for themselves or family members may contact UNITE staff at the KY HELP Statewide Call Center (1-8338-KY-HELP | 1-833-859-4357).
Most UNITE Coalition meetings and activities have been put on hold and schools will not reopen this spring. To help you through these difficult times, we are providing links to several great resources. Our staff is available by phone, email, text or fax should you have any questions.
– Nancy Hale, President & CEO
Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers
5th District Updates
Resources
Below you will find links to many of the resources available to assist residents of southern and eastern Kentucky get through this pandemic.
Team Kentucky
Make sure you receive the facts and latest information about COVID-19 as it impacts the Commonwealth of Kentucky by visiting the official Team Kentucky website – kycovid19.ky.gov.
Eviction Relief
Kentuckians may visit the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund website – teamkyhherf.ky.gov – to seek information on how to obtain a portion of CARES Act money.
Free Counseling
Campbellsville University is providing free online counseling to any person living in the Kentucky. Counseling is available Monday-Saturday:
- 10:30 a.m. for families with children under the age of 11
- 3 p.m. groups are for adolescents aged 12-17
- 8 p.m. groups are for ages 18 and older.
To learn more about receiving services call 502-694-1444.
DIY Face Coverings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Prevention & Intervention Resources
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as released a list of free virtual prevention and intervention resource tools to stay connected and support good health.
Download llst of resources (pdf)
Online Recovery
A list of free online meeting options, as well as platforms where individuals can interact virtually with others in recovery, has been released by James Carroll, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
Download list of resources (pdf)
Mapping the Spread in Appalachia
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released two new tools documenting the spread of COVID-19 at the regional and county levels. The first tool, the COVID-19 Cases in Appalachia map, displays the current number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Appalachia, and throughout the United States. The second tool, Explore County-level Coronavirus Impact Planning searchable database, presents a demographic data snapshot of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in relation to hospital bed counts, population and businesses, and categories of people at risk for COVID-19 in infographic form for each one of the nation’s counties.
SOAR resources
SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) has launched a website providing a one-stop shop for information related to the COVID-19 virus. This site is pulling real-time information from SOAR Co-Principal Officers Governor Andy Beshear and Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
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Good News
You are doing great things
We know many of you are finding unique and creative ways to get through these difficult days. There are many acts of kindness and good deeds taking place throughout southern and eastern Kentucky.
UNITE encourages you to share your “neighbor-helping-neighbor” stories on social media. Let the state know by posting using the following hashtags: #TeamKentucky, #HealthyAtHome, #UNITEStrong, #StrongerTogether, #TogetherKY, and #Patriot.
Flat Lick Elementary School’s UNITE Club members are reaching out to community service helpers, such as their mail lady, to say thanks for their continued service.
Coalitions
Meet Online
The work continues
Operation UNITE’s Community Coalitions have not stopped their efforts – they have just changed the way they are conducting business.
In preparing “Action Plans” for drug prevention and treatment/recovery support activities – and discussing ways to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic response – in their counties, many coalitions have elected to utilize virtual meeting technologies.
Perry County UNITE Coalition, 4-16-20
Champions UNITE McCreary County Coalition, 4-28-20