FEMA AWARDS RHODE ISLAND ALMOST $2.3 MILLION FOR COVID-19 SHELTERING COSTS

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $2.3 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the costs of operating non-congregate shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,271,030 in Public Assistance grant funding will go to the Rhode Island Department of Administration to cover the cost of operating five non-congregate sheltering programs for individuals who needed to quarantine due to possible exposure to coronavirus or a positive diagnosis, but couldn’t do that in their own homes.
The state used three different hotels and six existing state-owned properties to implement the following programs:

  • The Congregate Care Reduction Program;
  • The Adult Quarantine & Isolation (Q&I);
  • The Shelter Reduction Program;
  • The Family & Youth Quarantine & Isolation;
  • and the Alternative Housing Program for Frontline Workers.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region I Acting Regional Administrator Paul Ford. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to more than $319 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Rhode Island, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4505

 

 
A Civil War-era abortion ban is being repealed by the Arizona state senate. Two Republicans joined Democrats to pass the proposal. The 1864 law that banned nearly all abortions was revived by the state's Supreme Court last month.        A deadline of today has been set for pro-Palestinian protesters inside New York City's Fordham University to disband. Similar to Columbia University, the protesters set up an encampment inside a university building. Last night, police forcibly removed protesters from a Columbia hall after they took control of the building 20 hours earlier.        Secretary of State Antony Blinken says it's up to Hamas to agree to Israel's ceasefire deal. He the White House is focused on reaching a deal that addresses civilians in Gaza and the remaining Israeli hostages. While in Israel, Blinken made an unannounced visit to a Gaza border crossing where aid trucks are inspected. Prosecutors say they're ready to retry former movie producer Harvey Weinstein. The 72-year-old former movie producer was in handcuffs as he was wheeled into the courthouse. Prosecutors told the judge they could be ready to try Weinstein for a second time, as soon as September.       Interest rates remain unchanged by the Federal Reserve. This comes as officials have expressed they want to be more confident inflation is coming down before cutting rates. The central bank has said its goal is to get inflation down to two-percent.        Live Nation will once again celebrate Concert Week by offering 25-dollar tickets to hundreds of shows. The specially priced tickets will go on sale starting May 8th and will be available through May 14th while supplies last. More than 900 artists will take part in the Concert Week deal, including acts like Blink-182, Iron Maiden, Janet Jackson, Tim McGraw and Peso Pluma.