Press Releases
GOV. MALLOY: STATE AWARDED $10.5 MILLION IN NEW FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS FOR HURRICANE SANDY
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the approval of more than $10.5 million in new disaster relief funding from the federal Administration on Children and Families for services to Connecticut residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I thank the Administration on Children and Families and its parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, for making this special disaster relief funding available," Governor Malloy said. "This particular funding stream is designed to give states flexibility in providing a range of vital services to our most vulnerable individuals and families."
Connecticut was awarded $10,569,192 in Hurricane Sandy Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Supplemental Funds, based on an allocation involving the number of people registering for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"To date, Connecticut has been allocated more than $260 million in federal disaster assistance for individuals and business across the state," Governor Malloy said. "This new infusion of $10.5 million from the Administration on Children and Families further underscores the continued need for relief and recovery assistance. We are aggressively pursuing any and all forms of aid available to help sustain full restoration after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy."
Governor Malloy has asked Department of Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby to provide recommendations for the specific use of Hurricane Sandy SSBG Supplemental Funds. DSS is also the state's administrating agency for regular SSBG funding.
"In general, SSBG funding is provided under federal law to support a variety of human service programs for families and individuals nationwide," Commissioner Bremby said. "We will quickly develop recommendations for how the Hurricane Sandy SSBG Supplemental Funds should be allocated in Connecticut, under the federal guidelines."
Under Title XX of the Social Security Act, states direct services to one or more of five social services goals:
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achieving or maintaining economic self-support to prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency;
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achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency, including reduction or prevention of dependency;
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preventing or remedying neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests, or preserving, rehabilitating, or reuniting families;
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preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based care, or other forms of less intensive care; and
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securing referral or admission for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate or providing services to individuals in institutions.
According to federal guidance, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 [Public Law (P.L.) 113-2] provides that, "in addition to other uses permitted by Title XX of the Social Security Act, funds appropriated in this paragraph for the Social Services Block Grant may be used for health services (including mental health services), and for costs of renovating, repairing, or rebuilding health care facilities, child care facilities, or other social services facilities."
In addition, the federal guidance said, members of Congress expressed through statements on the floor of the House of Representatives that funds may be used for educational transportation services under certain conditions; child care facilities and the availability of child care for families in the affected areas; temporary child care facilities or to support the rebuilding of child care facilities; and to provide mental health services to caregivers and young children in child care settings.
In addition, the federal guidance said, members of Congress expressed through statements on the floor of the House of Representatives that funds may be used for educational transportation services under certain conditions; child care facilities and the availability of child care for families in the affected areas; temporary child care facilities or to support the rebuilding of child care facilities; and to provide mental health services to caregivers and young children in child care settings.
Governor Malloy expressed appreciation to the Obama Administration for its continued support in helping Connecticut continue its recovery from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.
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For Immediate Release: April 1, 2013
Contact: David Dearborn
Department of Social Services
David.Dearborn@ct.gov
860-424-5024 (office)
860-301-8383 (cell)
Department of Social Services
David.Dearborn@ct.gov
860-424-5024 (office)
860-301-8383 (cell)
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