SLFRF 'Highlights' Gives Us a Glimpse into the Program's Benefits

Very often, the federal government awards financial assistance funding ― particularly for large nationwide programs ― to recipients with little information to the public as to how exactly those dollars will be be used. The Department of the Treasury, however, is taking a different tack, recently issuing a multiple-page document listing “highlights” of how communities across the country are using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) awarded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (Pub. L. 117-2), based on recipient performance reports submitted on Aug. 31.

Noting that it “is processing these reports and will make them publicly available soon,” Treasury provided a large sampling of short- and long-term plans that recipients have for using the SLFRF funding for needs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, support job assistance, aid small businesses, rehire public sector staff, prevent crime and violence, provide housing, improve broadband infrastructure, provide child care, improve education, and expand mental and behavioral health services.

Among the 53 state, tribal and local recipients that are featured in the document include the following:

The state of Utah has appropriated funds for vaccine operations to prepare and provide for vaccine booster shots.

“These funds will be used to prepare for and to provide COVID-19 vaccine booster shots (if recommended) and/or to prepare for and to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to those under 12 (if recommended). Local health department and state contractor capacities such as staffing, mobile units and other resources to deliver the vaccine across the state if needed as quickly as possible. The immunization program staffing is ready to coordinate all operations of vaccine ordering, delivery, logistics in coordination with partners, data quality, vaccine monitoring and communications.”

The city of Saint Paul, Minn. is planning to invest in youth jobs programs as well as programs targeted to people of all ages to develop skills to maintain stable employment:

“In June, the city allocated the first $575,000 to expand the Right Track youth jobs program. Through this program, the city is partnering with Ramsey County to provide unemployed and underemployed young adults ages 18-24 with internships and professional development opportunities from August through November 2021 at an array of local businesses, community-based organizations and within local government… [The Jobs and Career Readiness Programs] are targeted investments ensuring people of all ages, backgrounds and skills can access, secure and maintain stable employment opportunities with living wages, professional development opportunities and career pathways to leverage the prosperity our city has to offer. Investments in this priority will include a focus on an array of sectors including infrastructure, youth jobs, business supports, arts, digital equity and green energy.”

The city of Wichita, Kan. plans to use funds to fill vacant government positions and has already begun recruitment efforts.

“Due to revenue and operational uncertainties, the city of Wichita hiring from March 2020-March 2021 was limited to critical positions, such as police and fire recruits. Due to the ARPA award, the city of Wichita intends to hire for positions that were held vacant, such as animal control officers, security screeners, street maintenance equipment operators, and park and tree maintenance workers. A total of 161 positions have been approved to be filled. Of these positions, 62% are in jobs that are with labor union representation. All new permanent full-time hires will start at an hourly rate of $15 or higher.”

Providing such an overall “highlights” document helps the public better understand where these funds are going and how they are assisting individuals, families and businesses. We would support other agencies taking a similar approach for some of their larger COVID-19 programs.

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