PHOENIX— The House Democratic Caucus has directed another $8.8 million from President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act to 10 non-profit organizations working to provide affordable childcare, mental health services and workforce development to Arizonans impacted by COVID-19.
In 2021 Gov. Ducey agreed to work with legislative Democrats to direct $90 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to agencies or organizations selected and vetted by the caucuses, which the House and Senate split evenly. Today's announcement was the second outlay from those Democratic Caucus funding requests. In November, House Democrats announced $4 million in grants to 10 Arizona non-profits primarily focused on addressing homelessness and providing affordable housing.
"COVID-19 continues to take a toll on our most vulnerable communities. Our goal with directing these funds is to help Arizonans hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic by lifting up excellent Arizona non-profits already doing that work," said House Democratic Leader Reginald Bolding. "This latest round of disbursements – with more on the horizon – will help Arizonans find affordable childcare and safely return to the workforce and increase access to vital behavioral health services. We remain grateful to the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats for the American Rescue Plan Act, and to Governor Ducey for working with our caucus to provide a meaningful impact with these needed resources."
The funded requests from the House Caucus include:
• $3,854,892 for AZCASE – AZ Center for After School Excellence to enhance training and improve technology for staff and after-school programs.
• $2,000,000 for Career Pathways for job training to ensure highly skilled talent pools in high-poverty communities.
• $600,000 for Valle Del Sol to hire new clinicians to help deal with a backlog of behavioral health cases resulting from the pandemic.
• $500,000 for Zion Institute to expand and launch new early learning centers for pre-school and after-school care and expand behavioral health services for low-income families.
• $490,000 for Stepping Stone Foundation to fund COVID-19 mitigation services in underserved areas and expand childcare opportunities for families.
• $250,000 for Ryan House to provide increased respite care to immune-compromised children and their families impacted by the stress and financial hardship caused by the pandemic.
• $250,000 for West Valley Arts Council to train additional artists work with older adults in skill-based arts programs.
• $250,000 for YWCA Southern Arizona Women's Economic Advancement Center to increase career readiness, entrepreneurship, financial stability and economic mobility for disadvantaged individuals and women of color.
• $99,436 for Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture for farm job training and to address food insecurity in the Gila Bend area.
• $570,000 for the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children to provide preschool educators with professional development tools.
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