Boulder County Board of County Commissioners Approves $36.5M in Second Round of Funds for COVID-19 Recovery
The following list includes ARPA-approved projects on 6/14/2022
Economic Challenges, up to $13,500,000
1. Survive and Thrive Nonprofit Grants, amount to be determined but not to exceed $7,500,000 – Immediate distribution of funds to support nonprofit organizations for meaningful short- and long-term investments that will stabilize their business condition, workforce, and operations (Survive). These funds will come with the requirement that awarded nonprofits engage with a variety of entities that provide business support services (Thrive).
2. Direct Cash Assistance to Families with Young Children, $6,000,000 – Direct cash assistance to low-income families with young children aged 0 to 3 years old, which have been particularly impacted by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and live in lower-income and vulnerable households. Modeled after the expanded Federal Child Tax Credit, funding amounts are $300 per month per child aged 0 to 3.
Housing Affordability, $12,000,000
3. Affordable Housing Pipeline, $7,000,000 – Working with Boulder County Housing Authority, Boulder Housing Partners, Longmont Housing Authority, and other non-profit developers on affordable housing pipeline projects for gap financing and to deepen affordability on existing projects. Specific projects to be determined as part of the vetting process.
4. Manufactured Housing Park Acquisition and Upgrades, $5,000,000 – Creates a reserve fund to supply grants or zero-interest forgivable loans to provide partial support for (a) acquisition of manufactured housing parks by residents that form resident-owned communities (ROCs) or assign their rights to the County or nonprofit land trusts; (b) major infrastructure improvement projects for ROCs or landlords who commit to long-term affordability; and (c) home repair assistance for low-income residents in these communities.
Mental Health and Social Resilience, $11,000,000
5. Community Mobile Response Teams, $3,000,000 – Resources a mobile response team to engage individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in order to de-escalate, assess, decriminalize, and determine a care plan that would result in increased access to behavioral health treatment, therapy, and supportive services. The program should be culturally responsive and coordinated across jurisdictions and across county services.
6. Community-Wide Navigation Hub, $3,000,000 – Provide a community-wide resource to support navigation and care coordination to appropriate mental and behavioral health services for all Boulder County community members.
7. Equitable Access (Front Door Model): Community–Based Grants, $3,000,000 – Grant program for mental health-related community-based organizations that allows organizations directly serving the community to either offer specific programs and services to a larger audience than they’re currently serving and/or provide these services for free.
8. Equitable Access (Front Door Model): Mental Health Vouchers, $1,000,000 – Mental health voucher/reimbursement program to allow community members to seek care, including alternative care, without worrying about financial burden.
9. Equitable Access (Front Door Model): School-Based Services, $500,000 – Model will be developed in collaboration with school and other related partners.
10. Equitable Access (Front Door Model): Community Trainings, $500,000 – Mental Health First Aid/RISE for All will educate the broader community and help reduce stigma and increase awareness surrounding mental health. To effectively reach specific priority populations, it will be important to include a variety of training options including in-person learning; working through schools, faith- and community-based organizations; and offering classes in different languages.
