In light of COVID-19, we want to provide our College of the Desert community with links and information to available public resources and Student Support Services to help those in need during these uncertain times.
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eBook Access at No-Cost
Spend less and study smarter with Digital Textbooks from RedShelf. Priced up to 80% below print, and packed with powerful study tools, RedShelf's digital textbooks are a no-brainer for student success. For additional information on available eBooks and textbook resources, visit the College of the Desert’s Virtual Library and Student Resource Guide.
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Charter Communications
Charter Communications announced on September 21 a relaunch of its Remote Education Offer providing free Spectrum Internet – with speeds up to 200 Mbps in most markets – and WiFi access for 60 days to households with K-12th graders, college students and/or educators. The promotion is available for customers who live in a Spectrum market and do not currently have Spectrum Internet services. To enroll, new customers can call 844-310-1198 and a free self-installation kit will be provided. Charter will also continue Spectrum Internet Assist, a program offering low-cost broadband internet of 30 Mbps for low-income households without school-aged children.
Internet Essentials
New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if they apply and are approved by June 30, 2021. After promotion, regular rates apply, which are normally $9.95 a month. For all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service has increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.
College of the Desert Library Resources
View the College of the Desert Virtual Library and Student Resource Guide for additional Free or Low-Cost Internet Access.
Campus WiFi Access
College of the Desert is offering students free Wi-Fi access in the following designated campus parking lot locations:
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Palm Desert campus Parking Lot 28 from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week.
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Indio campus from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday – Thursday
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Palm Springs temporary campus from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday – Thursday
Guidelines
In order to use the College’s Wi-Fi on-campus parking lots, students must adhere to the following guidelines:
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Masks are required to be worn at all times while on campus
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Prior to entering campus, students will complete and pass a COVID symptom checker (details at the gate)
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Wi-Fi use is allowed for currently registered students only
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Social distancing must be observed at all times
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Only students in standard passenger vehicles will be allowed on campus; no walk-ins, bicycles or recreational vehicles will be allowed
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Students may not have passengers who are not from their immediate household, and shall not have more than four persons in the vehicle
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Students and passengers must stay inside their vehicle, as no trash bins or restrooms will be provided
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Students must park in stalls marked for “Wi-Fi Access”
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Spaces are available on a first-come / first-serve basis
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Students may be limited to Wi-Fi use of one hour per vehicle during peak-demand times
Violations of any of these guidelines may result in the student being requested to leave the area.
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Employment Development Division
The CA Employment Development Division provides a variety of support services to employees affected by COVID-19 in California. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s resource page.
Labor and WorkForce Development Agency
View the summary of State benefits for impacted workers
Reduced Work Hours
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own.
Partial claims are for employees whose employers want to keep them but have temporarily laid them off or reduced their hours. A partial Unemployment Insurance claim can be used for any claimant who works less than their normal full-time hours, and whose employers want to keep them.
For more information, visit Partial Claims.
Sick or Quarantined Workers
If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy.
Caregiving
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments.
Health Care Coverage
Employers are required to maintain health care benefits if you take leave to care for yourself or your dependents under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA). You should consult with your employer or union representative regarding health care coverage during a period of work reduction to see what additional benefits are available to you along with your existing coverage.
For those experiencing job loss, federal law generally requires employers to offer employees and their families temporary extension of health care coverage, also known as COBRA. You may consult with your employer regarding COBRA enrollment. Job loss may be a qualifying life event for enrollment in Covered California, which provides health care coverage to California residents at affordable and subsidized rates.
Bar Industry Professionals
USBG Foundation is a resource for the Bar Industry Community that provides the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP) grant to qualified applicants who are bartenders, bar backs and bar servers who are in need of financial assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship. You do not need to be a USBG Member to apply for the grant. Get more information on this available grant.
Restaurant Workers
California Restaurant Association Foundation strives on empowering California's current and future restaurant workforce. Through their Restaurant Care Grant they provide California restaurant employees with financial assistance during an unanticipated hardship such as: accident, illness, injury, death of an immediate family member or natural disaster. Complete the grant application form online to apply for assistance.
Seeking Employment
For those seeking employment please learn more about current job opportunities and resources available from Riverside County Workforce Development.
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Food Banks
FIND Food Bank’s Free Mobile Market community food distributions and FIND’s network of partner agency Food Pantries and community Feeding Sites will remain open.
You can reach FIND at 760-775-FOOD (3663) or visit their website for more information.
Food Pantries
There are several food panty distributions available in the Coachella Valley, for more information visit the link below.
Local School District Student Meal Information
CalFresh / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAPS)
The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods in many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.
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Apply online
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Apply in person at your local Human Services Office, especially if you need benefits right away.
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Request a CalFresh Application by calling (661) 631-6000 by phone.
Ordering Groceries
Following are several grocery services that offer grocery delivery (costs vary).
Please note, College of the Desert does not formally endorse any of these services.
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Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
It is important to remember that you need to care for your own physical and mental health at times like this – and that support and resources are available if you feel a need for help or talk to someone. Riverside University Health System has put together a guide for maintaining mental health and well-being.
2-1-1 Riverside County
2-1-1 Riverside County has been selected by the County of Riverside as the designated information line for COVID-19 public inquiries. Operators are available any time to answer your questions and to provide the most up to date public health information available. Additionally, operators are able to help provide referrals to services such as food, shelter, and other health related requests.
Hotlines
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Behavioral Health CARES Line: (800) 706-7500
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Substance Use CARES Line: (800) 499-3008
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24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care: Palm Springs (442) 268-7000
At Home Physical Wellness
Following are links to several low and no-cost resources for staying active during the pandemic.
Please note, College of the Desert does not formally endorse any of these services.
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Help is available 24/7 for students or others dealing with emotional distress. Resources include:
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HELPLine is a free, confidential Crisis/Suicide Intervention service. Operated by highly trained volunteers, the line is open 24/7.
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Phone: 951.686.HELP (4357)
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By calling 1.800.273.TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.
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Phone: 800.273.TALK (8255)
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Spanish line: 888.628.9454
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TTY: 800.799.4TTY (4889)
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Safety Plan
Having a plan in place that can help guide you through difficult moments can help you cope and keep you safe. Through this app, you can customize your own warning signs that a crisis may be developing; coping strategies for dealing with suicidal urges; places for distraction; friends and family members you can reach out to; professionals you can call; methods of making your environment safe; and you own important reasons for living.
Sanvello
Popular app for stress, anxiety, and depression. Use Sanvello to manage daily mental health with tools like mood and health tracking, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive behavior therapy.
Anxiety Coach
A self-help app that addresses fears and worries using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies. The app walks you through making a list of feared activities and helps you master them, leading to less fear and worry. The app includes tools for a severity self-test, making a plan, anxiety tracking, and viewing your progress.
PsyberGuide
PsyberGuide is a non-profit project that aims to help people to use technology to live a mentally healthier life.
What’s Up?
A free app that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy methods to help you cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and more. The app features a beautiful, modern design, simple headings and easy-to-follow methods to help you navigate to what helps you the most.
MY3
You define your network and your plan to stay safe. With MY3 you can be prepared to help yourself and reach out to others when you are having thoughts of suicide.
DownDog for School
Due to the current outbreak, many people are avoiding gathering in large groups, including yoga studios and other fitness spaces. We believe that stressful times like these are precisely when people need wellness practices the most, and we are committed to doing our part to help out.
SAM
SAM will help you to understand what causes your anxiety, monitor your anxious thoughts and behaviors over time and manage your anxiety through self-help exercises and private reflection.
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Utility Assistance
Imperial Irrigation District and Southern California Edison
Energy payment assistance is available in Riverside County
for IID and So Cal Edison customers who have been impacted by the pandemic. Please visit each agency’s website for more information.
Coachella Valley Water District and Indio Water Authority
CVWD has partnered with United Way of the Desert to create the Help2Others
Customer Assistance Program to help eligible customers who are having trouble paying their water bill.
Applications are available for IWA’s Help 2 Others COVID-19 Water Bill Assistance program. Visit the Help 2 Others Site for additional program details and to fill out the digital application form. Those who do not have access to a computer can call 760-766-2603 during normal business hours.
United Way of the Desert
United Way of the Desert seeks to maintain household stability among Coachella Valley residents financially impacted by COVID-19 through providing up to $250 in funds. For more information, visit the United Way of the Desert Website.
Library Resources
College of the Desert’s Library offers a variety of online resources, including information related to:
- Canvas and ConferZoom tutorials
- Online learning tutorials
- Free Microsoft and other important Apps
- Off-campus access to library resources
- Free and reduced textbook information and more
Visit the COD Virtual Library for more information.
Riverside County Rental Relief Fund
Riverside County is offering grant relief of three months’ rent or up to $3,500 assistance. If you have lost your source of income because of the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to pay your rent, you are encouraged to apply for the Riverside County Rental Relief Fund. Applications are being accepted now.
Selection Criteria:
Disbursement:
For more information or assistance, please contact United Lift Partners.
FEMA Funeral Assistance Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering a funeral assistance program to provide financial aid for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 for deaths related to COVID-19. Applications are being accepted beginning in April 2021. If you are eligible for funeral assistance, you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
Guidelines for Eligibility:
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual.
An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.
There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.
For more information, please visit FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.