2022 -- H 8007

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LC005548

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $300,000 FROM THE AMERICA RESCUE PLAN ACT

FUNDS TO THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION (RICAA) TO

MITIGATE COSTS INCURRED PROVIDING NECESSARY ASSISTANCE AND

PROGRAMS TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND WORKING INDIVIDUALS

     AND FAMILIES DURING RHODE ISLAND'S COVID RESPONSE EFFORTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Noret, Solomon, Shanley, Vella-Wilkinson,
Baginski, Alzate, Felix, and McEntee

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, The funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

"provides a unique opportunity for state and local governments to make strategic investments in

long-lived assets, rebuild reserves to enhance financial stability, and cover temporary operating

shortfalls until economic conditions and operations normalize"; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Community Action Association (RICAA) is a trade

association for seven Community Action Agencies serving all 39 cities and towns and have, for

over fifty years, been a safety net for many Rhode Islanders in need; and

     WHEREAS, Current funding from the State of Rhode Island is in the form of the

Community Action Fund (currently $600,000) and is disbursed to the seven agencies based on

poverty data in each region; and

     WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally hit Rhode Island's

economically disadvantaged and working individuals and families on all levels; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout the pandemic, RIACC agencies have continued their operations

without interruption and adapted to the ever-changing environment by providing myriad

programs including food distribution along with home delivery for elder and disabled home

bound, remote Adult Education classes, telehealth, tele mental health, creating online applications

for service access, rental/mortgage and utility assistance including water, and redesigning

childcare facilities to meet the needs that occurred out of the pandemic; and

     WHEREAS, More than ever, the need for an increase in funding is clearly evident as the

pandemic has not yet reached an endemic and the rising costs, that low wage earners who come to

RIACC have to endure, makes the need for the agencies' services even greater in order to create

and maintain these essential programs; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money from the American

Rescue Plan Act in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2022-2023, the sum

of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) to the Rhode Island Community Action Association

for recovery assistance from the COVID-19 pandemic; and the state controller is hereby

authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum,

or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated

vouchers.

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LC005548

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $300,000 FROM THE AMERICA RESCUE PLAN ACT

FUNDS TO THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION (RICAA) TO

MITIGATE COSTS INCURRED PROVIDING NECESSARY ASSISTANCE AND

PROGRAMS TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND WORKING INDIVIDUALS

     AND FAMILIES DURING RHODE ISLAND'S COVID RESPONSE EFFORTS

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $300,000 to the Rhode

Island Community Action Association for funding to assist economically disadvantages families

during the State's COVID-19 response efforts.

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LC005548

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