Schaffer Announces Approval of Additional Pandemic Funds for Ohio's Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Support Centers, Libraries and K-12 Schools
Additional CARES Act Dollars also going to Veterans and Elder Fraud Programs
July 27, 2020
Tim Schaffer News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) today 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.
"I am proud of the State of Ohio’s commitment toward using CARES Act funds to help Ohioans who are hurting the most from this pandemic,” Schaffer said. "I am excited to see the number of grant dollars being used to bridge the broadband gaps in Ohio, especially for our rural school districts. This is a step in the right direction and we need to continue to find ways to expand access to broadband in these rural areas.”
The funding approved today includes:
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.
"I am proud of the State of Ohio’s commitment toward using CARES Act funds to help Ohioans who are hurting the most from this pandemic,” Schaffer said. "I am excited to see the number of grant dollars being used to bridge the broadband gaps in Ohio, especially for our rural school districts. This is a step in the right direction and we need to continue to find ways to expand access to broadband in these rural areas.”
The funding approved today 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