On December 21, Congress finally reached a deal on COVID-19 relief and the annual federal budget. The Ohio Children’s Alliance has been advocating for our network’s priorities since the spring passage of the CARES Act, pushing for additional relief for children and family organizations and supports for our community members who are struggling due to the impact of the pandemic and economic crisis.
While we still have a long way to go, the legislation is a step in the right direction.
We can now confirm that the measures in the bill include:
The “Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act”, which includes $350 million for the Chafee program, which is funding that supports independent living services for foster youth and alumni, and flows through to public children's service agencies. It also provides $50 million for ETV vouchers which assists foster care alumni, including Bridges participants, with costs of attending higher education
$284 billion to the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) for first and second PPP forgivable small business loans
$20 billion to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Grants to businesses in low-income communities.
$7 billion for broadband access
$25 billion in rental assistance and an extension of the eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of the year
$82 billion for colleges and schools
$13 billion in increased nutrition assistance
$600 per person stimulus check, and an additional $300 per week unemployment benefit, for qualifying individuals
Summaries of the COVID-19 Relief legislation and the “Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act” can be found attached. Please feel free to contact Kate at Kate.Rossman@ohiochildrensalliance.org with any questions.
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