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Florida receives an additional $28 Million in response to COVID-19 impact

Posted at 11:25 AM, Dec 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-02 16:44:09-05

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — Florida will now be receiving an additional $28 Million in federal funding in response to COVID-19.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced it on Tuesday and said the funding would be through the U.S. Department of Labor Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant.

The grant will provide disaster relief employment in the form of temporary jobs, employment and training services, and supportive services to eligible Floridians.

“As our state and local communities continue to recover from the pandemic, I am proud to announce $28 million in additional funding for disaster-relief employment,” said Governor DeSantis.

“I look forward to putting these dollars to use right away to give Floridians in need an opportunity to work.”

Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Dane Eagle appreciates this grant.

“I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis for his leadership and for his steps to reopen the state, so more Floridians can find gainful employment,” said Eagle.

“We look forward to helping Floridians get back to work and receive the training and support they need as we rebuild our economy.”

According to the press release, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity was awarded $12 million for the Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant in response to COVID-19 earlier this year.

They say the disaster relief employment includes humanitarian assistance and cleanup activities.

Below is a list of those activities.

  • Providing medicine, food, and other supplies to individuals in need.
  • Assisting with setting up quarantine areas and providing assistance to quarantined individuals.
  • Working at food distribution centers and other community-support organizations.
  • Cleaning schools or sanitizing quarantine or treatment areas; and
  • Other activities related to organizing and coordinating recovery and quarantine efforts.

People who are dislocated workers, workers who have been temporarily or permanently laid off due to COVID-19, self-employed individuals who have lost work due to COVID-19, and individuals who have been unemployed long-term are eligible.

Local career centers are available online.