NOTE:

This blog is maintained as an effort to coordinate and collocate responding agencies' information for easier public access during events on the Kenai Peninsula. The information here is written and provided by the contributing agencies. NOTE: The blog will be updated as the need arises and may be dormant at times.

Friday, November 13, 2020

news release: 34 KPBSD schools deliver education via 100% Remote for all enrolled students

News Release

High COVID-19 cases cause 34 schools to shift to 100% remote learning for all students through Thanksgiving break

 

Friday, November 13, 2020, marked another significant leap of positive COVID-19 cases on the Kenai Peninsula, so beginning Monday, November 16, 2020, learning at 34 of the 42 KPBSD schools will be 100% Remote for all students. This means that Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Intensive Needs students will not attend school onsite, and education delivery for students enrolled at schools operating in High COVID-19 Risk areas will be delivered remotely via digital platforms or with paper packets.

 

In an effort to do our part during this acceleration phase of COVID-19 on the Kenai Peninsula, KPBSD must act prudently and proactively. Governor Dunleavy made a plea to Alaskans on Thursday: “I’m going to ask Alaskans to sacrifice a little more by changing their daily routines. If you own a business that can operate remotely, send your employees home. I’m urging municipalities to take similar action and protect your workforce and communities.”

 

The KPBSD continues to build the plan to bring more students back onsite during high COVID-19 risk, and it is true that school buildings may be one of the safest places to be. However, the extreme phase of exponential spread that is happening now on the Kenai Peninsula must first be slowed, and begin to trend down before onsite learning can resume. You can track the data yourself on the KPBSD COVID-19 data dashboard—today the state reported an all-time high of 90 positive cases on the Kenai Peninsula. Please do your part—we are all still learning new habits. You know how hard this is, and we are all concerned for everyone’s safety and well-being. It will take effort from each of us in our daily habits and choices to shift this dangerous trajectory.

 

What to know

·        Schools will continue to be in contact with their families. If you or a friend are struggling or need assistance, do not wait. Call your school secretary, a teacher, the principal, school nurse, or counselor, if you have questions about materials, packets, mental well-being, or other questions

·        Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students during 100% Remote Learning, and can be picked up daily at school between 12:00–1:00. Make sure to place your order by noon on Friday for the following week daily pickup: Signup online for FREE lunch and breakfast meals

·        Need some supports for mental wellness? This is a recycle of a free resource for you: Sources of Strength Family Toolkit

 

Links

·        New! Parent tips to talk to kids about COVID-19 alerts to their phones

·        New from DHSS: What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed to COVID-19: put your quarantine plan into action

·        Governor Michael J. Dunleavy’s statewide message the morning of November 12, 2020

·        KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard

·        KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org  

 

Do you know? “Most Alaskans get COVID-19 from a friend, family member or coworker. Alaskans should avoid indoor gatherings with non-household members, avoid crowds, wear masks when around non-household members and stay six feet from anyone not in their household.” –DHSS, November 13, 2020

 

100% Remote Learning through Thanksgiving break for all students in central, eastern, and southern Kenai Peninsula schools
Central Peninsula Schools
Central Kenai Peninsula includes Kasilof to Sterling, extending through Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and DHSS “other north” communities. Cooper Landing is not included in the 17 Central Peninsula schools:

 

·        Aurora Borealis Charter School

·        Kaleidoscope Charter School

·        K-Beach Elementary School

·        Kenai Alternative School

·        Kenai Central High School

·        Kenai Middle School

·        Mountain View Elementary School

·        Nikiski Middle-High School

·        Nikiski North Star Elementary School

·        Redoubt Elementary School

·        River City Academy

·        Skyview Middle School

·        Soldotna Elementary School

·        Soldotna High School

·        Soldotna Montessori Charter School

·        Sterling Elementary School

·        Other North: Tustumena Elementary School

 

Eastern Kenai Peninsula Schools

 

·        Moose Pass School

·        Seward High School

·        Seward Middle School

·        William H. Seward Elementary

 

Southern Kenai Peninsula Schools

 

·        Chapman School

·        Fireweed Academy

·        Homer Flex School

·        Homer High School

·        Homer Middle School

·        Kachemak Selo School

·        McNeil Canyon Elementary School

·        Nikolaevsk School

·        Ninilchik School

·        Paul Banks Elementary School

·        Razdolna School

·        Voznesenka School

·        West Homer Elementary School



Small schools are open to onsite learning in low risk

Six small KPBSD schools in Cooper Landing, Hope, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seldovia, and Tebughna will also continue to operate in low COVID-19 risk, and offer both 100% Remote and onsite-at-school learning options. A shift to 100% Remote Learning could happen at any time if there is positive COVID-19 in these communities.

 

###

11/13/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP


 

Today's information is higlighted in red letters.


Sunday, November 1, 2020

11/01/2020 KPB Housing Relief Program for residents outside of city limits

 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough has partnered with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to provide rent and mortgage relief for residents who have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19.

Applicants must reside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and outside the city limits of Homer, Kachemak City, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward and Soldotna. Use the KPB Mapping Tool to verify the location of the home physical address needed for the application. 

For additional information: 907.714.2153 or grants@kpb.us



Wednesday, October 28, 2020

10/28/2020 KPB Housing Relief Program up to $1200 for September - December 2020

 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough has partnered with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to provide rent and mortgage relief for residents who have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19. The Borough's Housing Relief Program will provide up to $1,200 each month to eligible households outside of city limits for the months of September through December 2020. Payment will be issued directly to the lender or landlord
For more information: https://cares.kpb.us/


Saturday, October 24, 2020

10/24/2020 KPB Housing Relief Program payments to Landlord or Lenders


The Kenai Peninsula Borough has partnered with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to provide rent and mortgage relief for residents who have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until housing relief funds have been exhausted. Applications will be processed in the order in which they were received. Recipients will be asked for additional details to certify their loss of income was caused by COVID-19. Payment will be issued directly to the lender or landlord

For more information: 
https://cares.kpb.us/

Thursday, October 22, 2020

10/22/2020 KPB Housing Relief Program now accepting applications

10/22/2020 13:07p

Housing Relief for KPB Residents in Unincorporated Communities





On October 13, 2020, the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) Assembly approved $2,000,000 from the KPB CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide individual housing grants for mortgage and rent relief. The borough is partnering with Alaska Housing Financing Corporation (AHFC) to provide the financial assistance to qualified borough residents in areas outside of the cities who are experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID19 public health emergency. 

For more information: 907.714.2153 or email grants@kpb.us 

Friday, October 16, 2020

10/16/2020 Mortgage & Rent Relief Program for KPB Residents


 PROGRAM UPDATE:  Housing Relief for Qualified Individuals Residing in The Unincorporated Communities of the Kenai Peninsula Borough

The borough is partnering with Alaska Housing Financing Corporation (AHFC) to provide the financial assistance to qualified borough residents in areas outside of the cities who are experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID19 public health emergency.

Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must reside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and outside the city limits of Homer, Kachemak City, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward, and Soldotna.
Note: Some of the cities have partnered with AHFC to offer a housing assistance program. Please contact your city officials for more information on the program if you live within city limits.

What is the individual grant amount?
Qualified applicants will be eligible to receive up to $1,200 for the months of September, October, November and December 2020.
Note: Payments will go directly to the lender or landlord, not to the applicant.

Where will payments be sent? 
The applicant is the renter or the homeowner; however, payments will go directly to the lender or landlord, not to the applicant.

When will this program launch?
Once the agreement is in place between KPB and AHFC, we will go live with the program. The goal is to launch the program October 21st via https://cares.kpb.us/. Call the Borough’s Grant Division 907.714.2153 or email grants@kpb.us for more information.

10/16/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP



Today's information is higlighted in red letters.



Tuesday, October 6, 2020

10/06/20 That's not crickets you're hearing...

 

...it’s the sound of reviewers moving applications through the review process. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved Round Two of the CARES Act Relief Fund for grants to small businesses and nonprofits outside of city boundaries. Reviews will continue over the next two weeks, and our goal is to mail awards by the end of October. What should applicants do now? Be on the lookout for emails from reviewers. We may need more information. If so, follow the directions and provide the information before the deadline. Applicants will have limited time to respond.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

09/24/20: Working on the grant application today?


Application period closes this Friday at 5PM. The Borough CARES Act Relief Fund grant is open to small businesses and nonprofits in KPB unincorporated communities, commercial fisheries and big game permit holders. Make sure you're authorized to sign the application. For nonprofits, only the current board officers may apply as the authorized signatories

Have the following documents scanned and ready to upload:

IRS W-9 (see link below)
AK Business License OR fish/guide permit

Pick ONE of the following methods to prove your 2019 gross revenues:

Sales Tax Registration Number (TIP: this is the best way to verify your 2019 gross revenues)

OR

IRS submitted forms such as Schedule C, E, 1120, 1065 (entities that don't collect sales tax)

OR

Third-party, prepared financial statements (entities that don't collect sales tax or nonprofits)

IRS 990 (nonprofits cannot use the 990 postcard)

AK Corporate Entity Number and current biennial report (nonprofits)

TIP: You can use your phone to scan and upload documents. For more tips and what's required to apply or to finish your application... visit https://cares.kpb.us

PS: You can download a W-9 from the IRS official site at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.



Wednesday, September 23, 2020

09/23/20: The deadline is fast approaching...


Remember, the application period closes this Friday September 25, 2020 at 5:00PM. Apply today for the Kenai Peninsula Borough's CARES Act Relief Fund grant program. More information or apply online at https://cares.kpb.us.

Need a little extra help? Call the Grants Division at 907-714-2153 before the application closes.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

09/22/20: A Draft Stays A Draft Until You Hit Submit

 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough's CARES Act Relief Fund grant program is rapidly coming to a close; the application period closes this Friday at 5PM September 25th. As of tonight, there are 270 applications is draft form. NOTE: The review process starts after the applicant hits "submit." Take a moment to complete your application; verify that it’s complete and hit the SUBMIT button. -You're a few clicks away from review status.

For folks that have submitted an application, be sure to check your email and visit your online account to check the status of the application too. We may need more information. If so, the reviewer will give you access to the application so you may add the requested information. Apply at https://cares.kpb.us or give us a call – Grants Division 907-714-2153.


Monday, September 21, 2020

09/21/20 Getting more than one grant? No double dipping allowed...

 

09/21/20: The Borough's CARES Act Relief Fund grant program allows small businesses and nonprofits to apply for a grant regardless if you've applied for other state or federal assistance programs as a result of COVID-19 economic impacts.

Just remember to keep separate accounting and backup documentation for each grant that you receive... don't use the same bag of receipts for the different grants that you may receive.

Federal funds cannot be used to pay for the exact same cost or activity already paid for from another source of funding. This is sometimes referred to as duplication of benefits (DOB) or “double-dipping.” Entities using multiple funding sources should be aware of the different authorities and program requirements for each funding source, being careful to avoid DOB in instances where they are paying for similar costs or activities from multiple sources. If you're a small business or nonprofit located in an unincorporated community, visit https://cares.kpb.us to learn about the borough's grant program or to submit an application. You may also call the Grants Division at 907-714-2153.


Friday, September 18, 2020

09/18/20: Details Matter and So Does Matching Boxes

Be sure that your mailing address matches your mailing address on your SoAlaska Business License. The grant award check will be mailed to this address. Very Important! For program information and application visit https://cares.kpb.us.

9/18/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP

 



Today's information is higlighted in red letters.


Thursday, September 17, 2020

09/17/20: Did you know that gross revenue is all income calculated before expenditures?

The Borough's CARES Act Relief Fund grant for a business or nonprofit is determine using documentation that verifies 2019 gross revenues. What was your total gross revenue reported last year? Look below to determine the possible grant award.

The verification is the same for small businesses and nonprofit organizations but the documentation may be different. Learn more or how to apply today at https://cares.kpb.us or call 907-714-2153.

Note: All grant awards are subject to availability of funds. If the demand for grants exceeds the Borough’s available funds, the Borough reserves the right to adjust the grant amounts to all recipients to stay within available funding. Application period ends September 25, 2020 at 5PM. 

Grants Will Be Divided into Five Levels:

Up to $1,750 based on 2019 gross revenues of $20,000 to $50,000

Up to $3,500 based on 2019 gross revenues of $50,001 to $100,000

Up to $8,750 based on 2019 gross revenues of $100,001 to $250,000

Up to $17,500 based on 2019 gross revenues of $250,001 to $500,000

Up to $35,000 based on 2019 gross revenues of more than $500,000



Wednesday, September 16, 2020

09/16/20 Commercial Fishing Entities May Be Eligible to Apply

Regrettably, pirates are not considered eligible applicants with the Borough's CARES Act Relief Fund grant program, but commercial fishing entities may qualify under the small business category with valid permit status and IRS submitted forms (such as IRS Schedule C, E, 1120, 1065) or independent, third-party prepared financial statements. Be sure to read the program guide before applying for the Borough's grant program. Visit https://cares.kpb.us or call 907-714-2153 for more information.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

09/15/20 Working on a Borough’s CARES Relief Fund grant application tonight?

 

Be sure to include a current IRS W-9 form with the application. The W-9 form also known as a "Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification" asks for basic tax identification number. A TIN can be also be a social security number or employer identification number.

TIP: Before signing the W-9, be sure the TIN matches the tax information listed on your application.

Keep a copy of the W-9 form with your application documents. You can download a W-9 from the IRS official site at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf. For more information on the Borough CARES Act Relief Fund grant program or to complete an online application, visit https://cares.kpb.us or call the Grants Division at 907-714-2153.

Monday, September 14, 2020

09/14/20 Ready, Set, Apply Now!

 

The Borough’s online portal is officially open for a second opportunity to apply for a CARES Act Relief Fund grant. Applicants must create a user email and password account before starting an application (link below). Be sure to respond to the confirmation email. For some folks, this email may be found in your spam account. Visit https://cares.kpb.us to gather required documents and start your application today. Application period closes 5:00 PM September 25, 2020.

Friday, September 11, 2020

09/11/20 Program Guide for Applicants



Help us help you get to “Yes!” The Borough opens the second opportunity to apply for the CARES Act Relief Fund grant next Monday, September 14th at 8AM. Applicants are encouraged to read the program guide and gather necessary documents. The online application is easy 1-2-3 if  scanned documents are ready to upload when creating the application. To download the guide visit https://cares.kpb.us/


9/11/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP

 



Today's information is higlighted in red letters.



Thursday, September 10, 2020

09/10/20 Open House Events Coming To Your Community

Learn how you can apply for the Kenai Peninsula Borough CARES Act Relief Fund grant under the Round 2 opportunity. Staff have scheduled events throughout the K-Pen. See schedule listed below.* 

The staff at the Borough Administration Building in Soldotna as well as the Seward Annex and Homer Annex staff are also available to assist you if you are unable to attend an open house event. The online application portal will be activated 8:00 AM September 14, 2020 at https://cares.kpb.us

SUNRISE INN
September 18, 2020 11:30AM – 12:30PM
21849 Sterling Hwy, Cooper Landing AK 99572

MOOSE PASS COMMUNITY CENTER
September 18, 2020 3:30PM – 4:30PM (UPDATED)
Mile 29.5 Seward Hwy Moose Pass AK 99631

NINILCHIK SENIOR CENTER
September 21, 2020 4:30PM – 5:30PM
66265 Aspen Ave, Ninilchik AK 99639

ASPEN SUITES HOMER
September 21, 2020 7:00PM – 900PM
91 Sterling Hwy, Homer AK 99603

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
144 N Binkley St., Soldotna AK 99669
Monday – Friday 8AM – 5PM

SEWARD ANNEX – SEAVIEW PLAZA
302 Railway Ave., Ste. 122 Seward AK 99664
Monday – Thursday 10AM – 3PM

HOMER ANNEX – MAINTENANCE BUILDING
638 E. Pioneer Ave., Homer AK 99603
Monday – Friday 8AM – 4:30PM

*COVID-19 mitigation protocols will be practiced at each location.


09/10/20 Public Firewood - FREE and Available Until September 18, 2020


Weekly construction updates (LINK)