Highlands County awarded federal funds from DHS

HIGHLANDS COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM

Highlands County has been chosen to receive $42,900 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by the National Board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide. The Local Board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A Local Board, made up of local government officials, clergy, emergency service providers, homeless representatives, and United Way will determine how the funds awarded to Highlands County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice non-discrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Highlands County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with five Local Recipient Organizations participating. These agencies assisted with food, rent, mortgage, and utility bills.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Debbie Wilson with United Way of Central Florida via email atdebbie.wilson@uwcf.org for an application. INDIVIDUALS CANNOT APPLY FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER FUNDS. The deadline for applications to be received is April 30, 2018.