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Another $771,000 to help NMI through recession
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Posted on Apr 21 2009
[B]WASHINGTON, D.C.[/B]—Another $770,658 formula grant has been made available to the Northern Marianas, according to CNMI Rep. Gregorio C. Sablan yesterday.
The money is distributed under the Community Service Block Grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress in February.
“This money is intended to go to community organizations in our islands to help those who are having a hard time making ends meet,” said Sablan. “The Commonwealth is required to hand over 99 percent of the funds to community groups. So this is really a wonderful opportunity not only to provide assistance to the those most in need, but also to build up our non-governmental community services.”
Under terms of the law, organizations receiving CSBG funding must use the resources to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and assist low-income families become self-sufficient.
For instance, nationwide community action agencies help with job training and placement. They also conduct financial counseling to help people deal with debt.
The funds can also be used for housing assistance to help keep Americans in their homes and for nutritional assistance to make sure families at risk have enough to eat.
“Because of the tough economic times,” said Sablan, “Congress increased funding for Community Service Block Grants in the Recovery Act by $300 million over the program’s regular annual budget.”
The CSBG money is one of six grants—totaling $4.5 million—so far awarded to the Northern Marianas through the Recovery Act. These include:
Nutrition Services $60,625
Medicaid and Prescription Drug Program $1,523,000
Section 317 Immunization Funding $337,000
Child Care and Development Program $1,823,015
Community Services Block Grant $770,658
Total $4,514,298
All of the funds have been awarded by noncompetitive formula. The amounts are based on a variety of factors such as population, number of children, and number of families below the federal poverty line.
For more information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and about funding for the Northern Marianas go to http://sablan.house.gov. (PR)
