Sykes Applauds Release of Federal Funding for Education and Local Health Departments
January 10, 2022
Vernon Sykes News
Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) supported the Ohio Controlling Board’s decision to appropriate about $78.6 million in federal Covid-19 relief funds for education and Covid-19 vaccine distribution.
“It’s imperative that we continue to support and promote widespread vaccine distribution, especially as the omicron variant surges throughout Ohio,” said Sykes, who is a sitting member of the Controlling Board. “It’s also crucial that we maintain support for our education system by continuing to provide essential services to students and teachers .”
These funds come from federal Covid-19 relief dollars, which were granted in addition to the usual federal financial support. The Controlling Board appropriated $10 million in Food Service Program Assistance funds at today’s meeting to support food service inspections and reduce burdens on restaurants. The Controlling Board also appropriated $20 million to administer federal grants and programs for schools and families. An additional $6.6 million in ARPA Tourism Grant Program was approved to support additional TourismOhio marketing initiatives. The board also approved $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act ARPA funds for Covid-19 vaccine preparedness, for local health departments' vaccine distribution and education.
The board also approved contracts totaling $7.7 million in previously appropriated funds to help fight Covid-19. These contracts will address nursing home staffing shortages, wastewater monitoring for Covid-19 and disruption in federal student aid form completion during the pandemic.
Additional distribution details for these funds can be found here.
“It’s imperative that we continue to support and promote widespread vaccine distribution, especially as the omicron variant surges throughout Ohio,” said Sykes, who is a sitting member of the Controlling Board. “It’s also crucial that we maintain support for our education system by continuing to provide essential services to students and teachers .”
These funds come from federal Covid-19 relief dollars, which were granted in addition to the usual federal financial support. The Controlling Board appropriated $10 million in Food Service Program Assistance funds at today’s meeting to support food service inspections and reduce burdens on restaurants. The Controlling Board also appropriated $20 million to administer federal grants and programs for schools and families. An additional $6.6 million in ARPA Tourism Grant Program was approved to support additional TourismOhio marketing initiatives. The board also approved $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act ARPA funds for Covid-19 vaccine preparedness, for local health departments' vaccine distribution and education.
The board also approved contracts totaling $7.7 million in previously appropriated funds to help fight Covid-19. These contracts will address nursing home staffing shortages, wastewater monitoring for Covid-19 and disruption in federal student aid form completion during the pandemic.
Additional distribution details for these funds can be found here.