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American Rescue Plan Act: One Year Anniversary
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This video highlights the important services the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides in North Carolina and includes an introduction from Gene Sperling, White House Coordinator for the American Rescue Plan.
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March 11, 2022, marks the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) being signed into law. ARPA provided critical and unprecedented support to the children, families, and communities we serve. In particular, ARPA provided $4.5 billion in supplemental funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and an additional $500 million to help fund the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Throughout the month, OCS will release new materials highlighting the impact ARPA funding has had on the programs they administer and the individuals and families they serve. They have released a video showcasing the impact of LIHWAP and the great work of their partners in North Carolina and also features an introduction from Gene Sperling, American Rescue Plan Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President, on the importance of ARP funding for LIHWAP.
OCS asks that you join in celebrating this observance throughout the month. OCS also encourages grant recipients to share success stories highlighting how ARPA funds have made a difference in the communities you serve across your platforms using #ARP365 and #AmericanRescuePlan.
Stay tuned for more information on the OCS website soon. Additional program information can be found on the LIHEAP website and LIHWAP website.
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A Word from NCPRO Executive Director Stephanie McGarrah
In May, NCPRO welcomed our new Deputy Director Tommy Clark. A native of eastern North Carolina, Tommy has served the state of North Carolina for over 25 years as the Wildlife Resources Commission’s Budget Director for over 16 years and as the Chief Financial Officer for the Secretary of State for over 7 years. We hope you will join us in welcoming Tommy to NCPRO!
This spring, our staff has been working diligently with recipients of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF). Our Data Management team launched the Pandemic Grants and Awards Management (PANGRAM) system for SFRF recipients and internal staff to create and manage agreements, submit reporting, monitor project progress, and pull data research and analysis. Our Grants Management team has been working directly with SFRF recipients throughout the funding process, including working alongside the UNC School of Government (SOG) to discuss U.S. Treasury Uniform Guidance and any questions related to ARPA SFRF. On June 10, U.S. Treasury released their updated Compliance and Reporting Guidance and the Recovery Plan Performance Report template for the next reporting deadline of July 31, 2022.
NCPRO is also preparing to receive the second tranche of ARPA Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (LFRF) to disburse to the 525 Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) of Government during the beginning of the new Fiscal Year. We look forward to our partners - the NC League of Municipalities, the NC Regional Councils of Government, and the NC Association of County Commissioners - providing technical assistance and supporting regional planning so that this funding can continue to positively impact the recovery of local governments across the state.
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NC Community Engagement Survey
The NC Pandemic Recovery Office is seeking community leaders to participate in the NC Community Pulse Survey, which launched in May 2022 to track the local impact of the pandemic and our progress toward recovery. Monthly results will be analyzed and published to help local and state leaders make data-driven decisions to help accelerate recovery and strengthen economic resilience.
Click here if you are willing to participate in the June 2022 Community Engagement Survey.
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NCPRO Launches Community Engagement Survey to Gain Local Feedback and Guide Pandemic Recovery Efforts Across NC
Partnership between NCPRO, NC Rural Center, NC Association of County Commissioners and NC League of Municipalities Launches Survey Seeking Updates on Community Conditions During Pandemic Recovery
The NC Pandemic Recovery Office launched the inaugural NC Community Engagement Survey in partnership with the NC Rural Center, NC Association of County Commissioners, and NC League of Municipalities. The survey, which will be conducted by researchers from East Carolina University, will solicit timely insights into the state of community conditions recovering from the pandemic and preparing for the future. The approach will monitor, measure, and evaluate the impact of economic and social interruptions found across the state. The survey results will help measure the progress toward full pandemic recovery and should help strengthen regional economic resilience.
“The impacts of the pandemic have been felt deeply and unevenly across our state and this survey will help us to more clearly see the problems so we can tackle them,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This effort is an important step to give state and local leaders actionable data to make evidence-based decisions about how to use our recovery resources and plan for the future.”
Read the full press release about the launch of the NC Community Engagement Survey.
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Economic Update: North Carolina Continues to Grow, but Headwinds Exist
North Carolina’s establishment employment climbed by 11,300 workers over the month to a count of 4,429,100 for April 2022. This was the twenty-second monthly increase following the March-April 2022 Covid-induced recession and marked the seventh consecutive month of positive employment growth. The April increase is below the monthly average for the seven month period (just over 16,000 per month) and below the 26,000 average total realized during the previous two months (February and March 2022).
Headwinds remain on the horizon regarding future growth and inflation. The major risks include monetary policy missteps, the war in Ukraine producing a global slowdown in growth, and the on-going supply chain bottlenecks. Plus, Covid cases are once again on the rise in North Carolina. This rising case rate, along with requirements of people returning to their offices, is increasing the hesitancy of many to return to the labor force – thereby producing another headwind for economic recovery and expansion in North Carolina and the nation.
Read the full monthly economic update.
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Housing Corner
The latest on the NC Housing Assistance Fund (HAF) Program...
The NC Homeowner Assistance Fund was established through the 2021 American Rescue Plan to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements and foreclosures for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The law allocates funding for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and eligible territories and tribal authorities to provide relief for our country’s most vulnerable homeowners. Based on guidance from the US Department of the Treasury, each state developed its own plan. North Carolina was allocated $273 million and developed the NC Homeowner Assistance Fund that is tailored to meet the needs of most North Carolina homeowners impacted by the pandemic.
Learn more about the NC Homeowner Assistance Fund, eligibility, and how to apply.
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NCPRO has a new website! All the latest information, with an updated look, found at ncpro.nc.gov. Click the link below to check it out.
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North Carolina joins in the celebration of Juneteenth, a National holiday and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederacy. We encourage you to use the resource webpage that has been curated by the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission to encourage awareness and enthusiasm for the Juneteenth holiday.
Juneteenth Toolkit
2022 Juneteenth Calendar
Juneteenth Speakers Bureau
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Our NC Pros
Each month we will feature the innovative work happening across the state of North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in being featured or know of other groups and stories we can highlight, please contact our Communications Team at NCPRO@osbm.nc.gov.
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White House Pandemic Team Visits Raleigh, Applauds Data-Driven COVID Response
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VIDEO: White House Pandemic Team Visits Raleigh, Applauds Data-Driven COVID Response
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About two out of every three people in North Carolina have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, data shows.
Those who are older, Asian, Hispanic or identify as female are more likely to get their shots, the state's dashboard reveals.
North Carolina has been transparent about that information since the early days of the pandemic and now, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy are lauding those efforts.
"[They were] really meeting and reaching people where they are at," said Matthew Hepburn, the White House senior advisor for pandemic preparedness. "That needs to be prioritized on a leadership level. That has to be resourced and what North Carolina really did was prioritize that at the beginning of the pandemic."
Read the full WRAL story.
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NC On Track to Roll Out 9-8-8 Mental Health Crisis Hotline
In July, there will be a new universal phone number — 9-8-8 — for people across the United States to call when they or someone around them experiences a mental health crisis. The idea is that it’s short, easy to remember and the same everywhere.
North Carolina... is ready and on track for the July launch date, according to Deepa Avula, director for the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services.
“I was involved very heavily in the implementation on the front end of 9-8-8. So I know where North Carolina is relative to other states, and North Carolina’s Crisis Response Suicide Lifeline response is very, very strong compared to others,” said Avula who worked for 20 years at the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration prior to her current role.
Read more.
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North Carolina Tourism, Travel and Outdoor Recreation Industries to Receive $6 Million Investment
New Initiative to Support State's Hard-Hit Sectors
North Carolina was awarded $6.4 million to establish a new tourism-focused economic recovery initiative. The new program, Supporting and Strengthening Resiliency in North Carolina’s Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors Initiative, will help develop and implement economic-building strategies for the recovery of North Carolina’s travel and tourism industries that suffered economic losses due to the pandemic.
“The travel, tourism and outdoor recreation industries are major contributors to North Carolina’s economy, bringing people here from all over the world and making our state a great place to live and work,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Investing in the resilience and growth of this sector is the right thing to do for our entire economy.”
Read more.
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Governor Cooper Releases Proposed Budget, Building on Success
On May 11, Governor Roy Cooper released his recommended budget for FY 2022-2023, Building on Success. The plan put forth by the Governor presents a budget that builds on the state’s success by investing in North Carolina families, businesses, and communities.
“Families have returned to their lives of work and school after tremendous challenges but find that they still struggle to find affordable healthcare and childcare,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina is emerging from the pandemic stronger than before, and we will sustain that only if we invest in a strong foundation for our people: A quality education, good jobs and infrastructure, and access to affordable healthcare. Let’s use this historic opportunity to give families, businesses and communities the tools they need to thrive.”
Read the full press release.
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North Carolina Announces Plan to Join Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
On May 16, Governor Roy Cooper sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce declaring North Carolina’s intent to participate in the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
“State and federal partnerships are critical to helping us close the digital divide and North Carolina is all in on getting internet for all,” said Governor Cooper. “This effort will pave the way toward a future where everyone will have access to high-speed and high-quality internet.”
“North Carolina’s participation in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program will bring additional funding to connect unserved households and businesses across the state with high-speed internet service,” said N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny. “We look forward to working with both our federal and local partners in this initiative so more North Carolinians can benefit from crucial access to online work, education and healthcare resources.”
Read the full press release.
Read Governor Cooper's Letter.
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Visit our website for more information and follow us on social media.
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Visit the NCDHHS COVID-19 Response website for more information about
COVID-19 data, guidelines, testing, vaccines and more.
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