At their meeting on October 5, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners passed the first vote to award $3.2M to organizations who submitted proposals through the American Rescue Plan Act Funded (ARPA) Community Priority Fund (CPF). Proposals fall under the Addressing Housing and Homelessness and Expanding Access to Childcare categories of the fund. The organizations who are being considered for funding were recommended by a commissioner-appointed, Community Review Body and the County Administrator. .
The Community Priority Fund was created by the Board of Commissioners in March using ARPA dollars. The CPF is designed to provide funding and support to organizations that have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and are working in historically under-resourced areas of Washtenaw. It is also intended to expand the County’s ecosystem of providers by creating opportunities for organizations that have not historically contracted with Washtenaw County. All organizations approved for funding will also receive technical assistance to meet the rigorous data evaluation and reporting guidelines ties to ARPA dollars.
• Foundations Preschool ($20,000) - Founded in 1934, and formerly known as Perry Nursery School, approximately 70% of school’s population resides in the 48197/98 zip code area and other low opportunity areas of Washtenaw County. Over 97% of families are from low-income households
• Bottles and Backpacks Child Development Center, Inc. ($600,000) BNB is the largest African- American owned and operated early childhood education center in Washtenaw County. As a family-owned business, the co-owners have successfully operated within the early childhood development sector for over 17-years across Southeastern Michigan. BNB has served and cared for more than 700 families in the Ypsilanti area since 2008. Just as the center is located in the city of Ypsilanti, more than 90% of BNB’s staff and families live in those same zip codes (48197 and 48198).
• Child Care Network ($1,180,000)- Established in 1971, CCN is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the success of children, families and community through quality childcare education, advocacy, and family support.
• Huron Valley PACE ($278,181)-PACE, in Ypsilanti Township, serves adults aged 55 or older who have ongoing healthcare needs. PACE provides care and services covered by Medicare and Medicaid, and additional care and services regarded as necessary by the interdisciplinary team. PACE provides coverage for primary and specialty care, prescription drugs, medical transportation, hospital visits, dental care, medical equipment, home care, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and other services.
• Life After Incarceration: Transition and Reentry ($142, 000)- An occupational therapy program providing life skill and habit-building opportunities to justice-involved individuals and underserved communities to increase equity in the county and in the justice system overall.
• The House by the Side of the Road ($75,000) - Provides free clothing, linens, and small household items for those in need (e.g. people with disabilities, single parents, former prisoners, immigrants, and veterans) due to poverty, fire, flood, homelessness, prolonged illness, or job loss. Items are free to clients who have limited funds for household essentials, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, or size. In 2021, they served 2097 families; more than half live in 48197 and 48198 ZIP codes.
• Michigan Itinerant Shelter System Interdependent Out of Necessity (MISSION) ($55,900) - For nine years, M.I.S.S.I.O.N has provided direct support to the houseless community in Washtenaw County. They provide warm meals, winter clothing, boots, hygiene and personal care supplies, hand warmers, and other donated items as well as daytime sheltering to un-housed individuals and families. From December through late March, they served over 400 community members, most of whom repeatedly utilized the services.
• 2Marines ($22,000) - Providing interventional programs for veterans and families in the 48197/48198 zip codes. They work closely work with Veterans Affairs to access crucial veterans' benefits that aid in providing daily living necessities.
• Dawn Farm ($21,040.20) - Since 1973, Dawn Farm has offered a continuum of long-term treatment services to help addicts and alcoholics. This includes residential treatment, transitional housing, outpatient care, sub-acute detoxification, and a range of active outreach programs.
• Community Family Life Center ($676,582.80) - CFLC is a neighborhood-based, non-profit organization that serves as a hub for the Sugarbrook Neighborhood and greater Ypsilanti area. CFLC’s mission is to provie programming focused on social, educational, physical, and economic well-being.
• Family Empowerment Program ($129,296) - FEP is housed at Eastern Michigan University and coordinated by on-site social workers. Through partnerships and programming, FEP has developed a social services program whose purpose is substantially improve the educational, health and economic outcomes for 900 + individuals currently living in Ypsilanti Housing Commission (YHC) communities.
Marie’s House of Serenity was recommended by the Community Review Body and the Administrator to receive technical assistance. Recommendations in the final two categories of the Community Priority Fund, Addressing Educational Disparities and Direct Assistance to Households, are expected to come before the Board of Commissioners in coming weeks.
