Sykes Applauds Coronavirus Response Appropriations
November 9, 2021
Vernon Sykes News
Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) commended the Ohio Controlling Board’s decision to appropriate $53.5 million in federal Covid-19 relief funds to support Ohio’s continued pandemic response.
“Even as more Ohioans are getting vaccinated and the spread of the virus slows, problems like homelessness, barriers to medical care and potentially dangerous home situations are exacerbated as a result of the pandemic,” said Sykes. “As Congress begins to address our long-term infrastructure needs, we are thankful to have these federal funds to address emergency situations in our state’s pandemic response.”
Thirty-six million dollars in Federal CARES Act funds are being re-appropriated for use during this fiscal year to support local governments and non-profit housing assistance providers in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health and local health departments will receive $8 million in Federal ARPA funds to address workforce and staffing issues by hiring staff and providing training. The Department of Job and Family Services will also use $9.5 million, which comes from a combination of ARPA funds and the Child Abuse and Prevention Act federal grant, to increase services that address child and elder abuse and neglect.
Additionally, $35 million in previously released federal coronavirus response funds will be used to purchase more than one million rapid tests for over-the-counter availability, as well as to provide the Department of Health the flexibility to buy additional tests.
Additional distribution details for these funds can be found here.
“Even as more Ohioans are getting vaccinated and the spread of the virus slows, problems like homelessness, barriers to medical care and potentially dangerous home situations are exacerbated as a result of the pandemic,” said Sykes. “As Congress begins to address our long-term infrastructure needs, we are thankful to have these federal funds to address emergency situations in our state’s pandemic response.”
Thirty-six million dollars in Federal CARES Act funds are being re-appropriated for use during this fiscal year to support local governments and non-profit housing assistance providers in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health and local health departments will receive $8 million in Federal ARPA funds to address workforce and staffing issues by hiring staff and providing training. The Department of Job and Family Services will also use $9.5 million, which comes from a combination of ARPA funds and the Child Abuse and Prevention Act federal grant, to increase services that address child and elder abuse and neglect.
Additionally, $35 million in previously released federal coronavirus response funds will be used to purchase more than one million rapid tests for over-the-counter availability, as well as to provide the Department of Health the flexibility to buy additional tests.
Additional distribution details for these funds can be found here.