Senator Huffman Announces Approval of Additional Pandemic Funds for Ohio's Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Support Centers, Libraries and K-12 Schools

COLUMBUS—State Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima) this week announced the state’s approval of over $87 million in additional funding for COVID-19-related expenses for Ohio’s K-12 schools, libraries, veterans homes and crisis support centers.

These funds, approved by the state Controlling Board, are provided to Ohio through the federal CARES Act and can be used for necessary pandemic costs, including but not limited to personal protection equipment (PPE), safety and sanitation operations, and remote learning technology.

"The funds approved this week are essential to maintaining vital community-centered services throughout our state," said Huffman. "As our communities recover from the financial hardships the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, I am proud that Ohio continues to respond with the necessary resources to help those who need it most."

The funding includes:

• $50M in matching grant dollars to Ohio’s K-12 school districts for remote learning tools, including broadband communication devices, hotspots, etc.
• $18.3M for Ohio’s libraries
• $8.75M for Ohio’s domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers
• $4.6M for BMV Deputy Registrar sites and State Driver’s Test centers
• $3M for Ohio’s congressionally-chartered veterans organizations
• $1M for Ohio’s two veterans homes located in Sandusky (Erie county) and Georgetown (Brown county)
• $1M through the Attorney General’s office to be used on COVID19-related fraud prevention, especially as it relates to fraud targeting Ohio’s elderly population
• Additional dollars for Ohio’s 86 rest stops, operated by the Ohio Department of Transportation

To date, nearly $1.7B in CARES Act funding has been approved by the General Assembly to be distributed Ohio’s communities as they continue to battle and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. More information about the funds can be found here.