In an effort to help our communities during this time, we have created a resource page to serve as a place for island and coastal residents, parents, schools, businesses, and others to access tools that may be useful in addressing some of the key challenges they are facing. If you are looking for help with navigating any of these resources, please reach out to us at info@islandinstitute.org.  

Guidance on Visiting the Maine Coast

Looking to visit the coast of Maine this summer? Please consult the latest guidance from the State of Maine and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We also encourage you to review any guidance provided by the community or communities you plan to visit. Below are links to information and guidance for visitors being provided by island and coastal communities.

Resources and Social Services for Island and Coastal Communities

If you're looking for specific resources, or are interested in making a donation or offer to support to Maine’s island and coastal communities during this time, please visit our Social Services Resource List here for more information.

211 Maine has partnered with the Maine CDC to answer general questions about COVID-19. This service is available by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org. Learn more here. 

Community Leadership Resources

Virtual Meeting Tips

Maine islands have been leading the way in virtual convenings for more than a decade and have important insights to share in this time of moving to engaging online. Here are some tools we created to help island schools and other organizations work collaboratively in an online environment.

Internet Connectivity

The COVID-19 pandemic has further revealed the critical need for access to reliable, high-speed internet so Mainers can continue to work, study, access healthcare, and connect with loved ones. Island Institute has been working since 2015 to support Community-Driven Broadband  solutions. We are also helping lead a broad and diverse coalition of Maine individuals, businesses, organizations and communities to support “Yes on 1 for Better Internet” -- a statewide bond vote on July 14, 2020 to increase critical investment in broadband infrastructure.

If you have stories to share about how a lack of broadband access is impacting you, or how internet connectivity helps you in your work, education, or otherwise, we would love to hear from you. Please email broadbandstories@islandinstitute.org

For questions related to our broadband work or how to access internet resources during this time, please contact Kendra Jo Grindle, kgrindle@islandinstitute.org.

Educational Resources for Schools, Families, and Seniors

Island Institute What Works Solutions Library

On Maine's islands, thoughtful integration of digital technologies into the traditional scheme of education is necessary to ensure students have the tools to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing technological society. And because island schools have very few students, using technology to encourage connections and shared learning between schools is vital.

Island Institute On-Demand Recordings

Check out our recorded webinars, podcasts, and video footage from past events to learn practical skills, listen to inspiring stories, and stay digitally connected and informed. Specific resources for schools and teachers include:

Additional online learning resources from our partner organizations for kids and adults

Resources for Small Businesses, Artists, and Nonprofits

Please see below for a few key resources to help businesses through this challenging time. For a detailed list of resources and information, including filing for unemployment, relief loans, guidelines for nonprofits, additional assistance for artists, and much more, visit our Small Business Resource Page here.

Resources for the Aquaculture and Fishing Communities

In an effort to help Maine aquaculturists during this time, we have created this page to serve as a place for lobstermen and oyster, mussel, and seaweed farmers to access tools and resources to help them address current challenges and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. View our resource page for Aquaculture and Fishing Communities here.

Tools for Municipalities

State of Maine COVID-19 Resources

Health and Safety

State, Federal, and Global Health Resources
Multilingual Resources

A Round-Up of Multilingual Resources on COVID-19—Switchboard

  • Fact sheets, posters, multimedia resources, and links to live updates in multiple languages about COVID-19