- $1 million will support teachers impacted by Hurricane Ian and $13.8 million will support mental health services
- To date, the Department of Children and Families has provided crisis counseling to over 20,000 individuals struggling to recover following the storm
- Organizations will also use the funding to help teachers and school employees with affording essential items like food, gas, and baby supplies in addition to home repairs and addressing transportation challenges
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that additional funding is on the way to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian.
DeSantis directed the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to utilize $13.8 million in grant funding to support and expand mental health resources for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian. The Governor also awarded $1 million through the Florida Disaster Fund to help teachers and other school employees who suffered impacts from Hurricane Ian.
Additionally, DeSantis announced that the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has obligated more than $500 million in public assistance funding to communities impacted by Hurricane Ian, and Florida’s first ever state led sheltering and housing program has installed more than 140 travel trailers for Floridians who lost their homes due to Hurricane Ian, more than the 80 total distributed by FEMA.
So far, the FDEM has more than 2,400 additional trailers ordered, and the Governor has directed FDEM to cut through any red tape preventing trailers from reaching Floridians in need.
“The funding we awarded today is an important part of the recovery process,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are committed to cutting red tape and getting temporary housing trailers delivered to these communities as fast as possible so they can accelerate the rebuilding process. We will continue to fund programs and fill the gaps for Floridians as they recover after Hurricane Ian.”
DCF noted it will utilize $13.8 million in grant funding to provide additional crisis counseling and mental health support for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian, including on-site services at Family Resource Support Centers and expanding call lines and other resources for survivors.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, the Division continues to cut through unnecessary red tape and get impacted families into safe, temporary housing while they navigate the next steps in their recovery,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. “The Division is proud to support Floridians in times of need and will continue to work diligently to assist Hurricane Ian survivors and place trailers as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The $1 million awarded through the Florida Disaster Fund will be awarded to support organizations of school districts in five of the hardest hit counties to support teachers and other school employees who were impacted by Hurricane Ian. Counties receiving the funds include Lee County ($250,000), Collier County ($250,000), Sarasota County ($200,000), Hardee County ($150,000) and DeSoto County ($150,000).
Oh Lord, do you mean Ron is caving in to SOCIALISM?? Isn’t that what using tax dollars to help citizens means?