SUBJECT
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Approve an Amended American Rescue Plan Fund Agreement with Noah's Ark of Central Florida (No Fiscal Impact)
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DESCRIPTION
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law which included the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF). The Act was designed to facilitate the United States' recovery from the COVID pandemic. Of the $1.9 trillion approved, approximately $140.8 million was appropriated to Polk County BoCC. The Fiscal Recovery Funds are intended to provide to local government economic relief in response to the impacts of COVID.
A portion of the ARP Funding, $10.5 million, was allocated to address COVID's impact on public health and economic harm to households, small businesses, nonprofits, and impacted industries. In October 2021, the Board of County Commissioners requested and received proposals from applicants who qualified based upon the criteria that 1) the business/non-profit is located in Polk County, 2) the business/non-profit has been active as of January 1, 2021, and 3) the business/non-profit was negatively impacted by COVID. The Board selected recipients to receive an ARP Fund award to address these impacts.
Noah's Ark of Central Florida provides low-income housing to individuals with developmental disabilities (as defined by the State of Florida). In addition to housing, Noah's Ark provides Life Enrichment Activities (LEAs) which include vocational training, classes, and studies along with group activities to help facilitate independent life and more. Through these LEAs, residents learn a variety of skills from how to care for themselves, wash clothes, practice safe habits, and basic skills such as math and money management. LEAs help empower individuals who might otherwise be fully dependent upon others to live healthy, safe, and productive lives. Through this funding, the program will be able to provide vocational and educational training to an additional one hundred r...
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