By
Osage News
As the Osage Nation continues to apply for supplemental American Rescue Plan Act funding, the Nation announced it will receive $12 million for existing programs and projects as of June 30.
According to an Osage Nation press release, the (supplemental) funds are separate from the ARPA general fund and require ongoing review and application by the Osage Nation Office of Grants Management.
“We are continually applying for ARPA grant funding as opportunities come down from the federal governmental granting agencies,” Christa Fulkerson, director of Osage Nation’s Office of Grants Management said in a statement. “It’s an ongoing process that our office and other departments are working diligently on to receive supplemental support to benefit Osage Nation.”
So far, the ON Office of Grants Management has received nearly $8 million in ARPA supplemental federal grant funding with additional funding expected in the future. These funds were received to enhance services provided by the Osage Nation in the following areas:
• Childcare: To build a stronger childcare infrastructure and capacity within the Osage Nation service area where childcare is scarce.
• Elder Nutrition: To expand on nutritional assistance for Osage elders.
• Housing: To support Pawhuska Senior Housing improvements.
• Utility Services: To expand on the services already provided to address the energy disparities that disproportionately impact low-income households within the Osage Nation service area
In the same release, the ON Strategic Planning and Self-Governance Office received notification from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, of an allocation of $4,431,258 from ARPA under the Self-Governance funding agreement.
“These funds are provided under the Aid to Tribal Government line item to support Tribal Government Self-Governance programs such as public safety and justice, social services and child welfare assistance. Strategic Planning and Self-Governance is awaiting the ARPA final rule, expected mid-July, for more specific information on eligible uses of the funds,” according to the release.
“We are happy to receive this distribution from the (DOI) in order to provide more support to those departments that have experienced an increased demand on their services from their constituents during and post COVID,” said Candy Thomas, director of the Strategic Planning and Self-Governance Office. All federal/non-tribal funds are required by law to be appropriated by Osage Nation Congress before expenditure.
Original Publish Date: 2021-07-01 00:00:00
