Colorado Economic Recovery and Accountability

Press Release - $9M Recovery Funds for Community Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009


CONTACTS:

Linda Rice, 303.358.035, linda.rice@state.co.us

Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us


GOV. RITTER PRAISES $9M RECOVERY FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES


Gov. Bill Ritter today applauded the receipt of $8.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to fight poverty in communities around the state. The funds will be made available through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program and administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.


"I want to thank our congressional delegation for its support and advocacy of these dollars on behalf of Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "We appreciate these efforts to improve funding for Colorado communities in these difficult times. This will provide a much-needed boost to critical services for our citizens in greatest need."


Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs added, "These funds provided through the Recovery Act represent federal, state and local governments working together to create solutions and address pressing needs in Colorado."


Under the Recovery Act, organizations receiving CSBG funding must use the resources to help get our economy back on track. Funds must be used to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and help low-income families become self-sufficient. Eligible entities use funds to provide services and activities addressing employment, education, housing, nutrition, and emergency services to combat the central causes of poverty.


Services currently provided by community organizations that receive CSBG funds include:

  • Job training and placement assistance
  • Financial literacy programs such as credit counseling
  • Housing assistance programs that help keep Americans in their homes
  • Nutrition programs that provide meals to vulnerable families
  • Community agencies that bring public and private resources together to assist families in need.


For more information about ARRA and state programs that will receive and administer federal stimulus dollars, go to: