SPECIAL EDITION: COVID-19

COVID-19 stimulus grants and formula funding opportunities – April 11, 2020

US Federal Government COVID-19 Stimulus Packages: The US Federal Government has released three different stimulus packages to help with devastating economic fall out of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Seneca Nation’s Grants team is working very hard to be sure we have access to and apply for all possible funding programs that can help reduce the increased financial burden of our general fund resources while complying to the specific guidelines written about spending.

On March 6, 2020, COVID-19 Stimulus Package 1 was passed. This package is called the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. Funding in the amount of $8.3 billion ($40 million for tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations, or health service providers). The CDC awarded $30 million to Navajo Chickasaw and Choctaw, CDC then appropriated $40 million to Title 1 and Title 5 Tribes which was divided and distributed to Urban Indian Organization only.

On March 14, 2020, COVID-19 Stimulus Package 2 was passed. This package is called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Funding in the amount $64 million was specifically allocated to Indian Health Services for COVID-19 testing and $10 million was allocated for nutrition for elderly Native Americans. The Seneca Nation received $47,430.00 on March 25th, 2020 to offset the costs of providing meals to our elders. The Seneca Health Systems received $131,711.00 to offset costs related to COVID-19 testing on April 2, 2020. The Grants Team is also working with the Seneca Health System to apply for a Center for Disease Control (CDC) grant under this stimulus package.

Most recently, on March 27, 2020, Stimulus Package 3 was passed. This package is called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act. This package included several provisions and funding for Native Nations. The chart below shows the programs the Seneca Nation can receive money for and what has been received. This package is the largest stimulus package and has the best representation for Native Nations.

The Seneca Nation has received the following CARES Act funding thus far.

  1. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $772,572.00 to assist the Seneca Nation Housing Authority with COIVD Emergency Relief Funding through the Indian Housing Block Grant.
  2. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $400,486.00 to the Seneca Transit System to support operating, capital and other expenses.
  3. Indian Health Services (IHS) has provided $ 1.4 million dollars to help with all COVID-19 costs, emergency response, operating costs and program implementation.

The Seneca Nation is following up on the follow CARES Act funding opportunities:

  1. Department of Treasury – CARES Act Tribal Coronavirus Relief Fund Payments Dept. of Treasury
  2. FEMA – Public Assistance funding during State of Emergency
  3. USDA Food Distribution and Older Americans Nutrition
  4. HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant – Imminent threat funds
  5. Child Care Development Grant funds BIA’s $453 million for welfare assistance, social services, emergency response