The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recently disbursed $3.4 million in federal pandemic relief funds to expand the number of older individuals across metro Atlanta receiving a range of critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is part of the CARES Act passed by Congress. Henry County received $156,765 in relief funds.

  The funding will enable ARC to expand the number of people receiving services through its partners in several key areas:

• Social services and wellness support, including a new service providing emergency aid for materials such as groceries, personal care items, and technological tools that help people to perform daily activities

• Nutrition services such as home-delivered meals and food boxes

  In the last fiscal year (FY19), ARC’s county and nonprofit partners served 137,386 individuals. The new funding allows for a 22% increase in funding for aging services and will help meet the increased critical needs of older people during the pandemic.

  In addition, ARC will use the funds to expand some of the services that the agency provides directly, including coaching for individuals living in affordable housing with behavioral health needs and the launch of a volunteer-staffed telephone reassurance program to combat social isolation. 

  The funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress to protect Americans from COVID-19’s public health and economic impacts. As the federally designated Area Agency on Aging, ARC receives federal funding and partners within Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties.

  “The generosity of Congress during this time means a great deal to our work,” said Becky Kurtz, managing director of ARC’s Aging & Independence Services. “CARES Act funding, combined with funding from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, passed earlier this year, represents a significant increase in the ability of ARC and our partners to provide services to older persons in our region.  This population is disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the resources have been badly needed.”