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Authorizing the Use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Fund Addressing Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents for the Kane County Health Department
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WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has enacted the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) to provide economic relief to State, Local, and Tribal governments responding to economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the County of Kane has received a total of $103,413,041 (One Hundred Three Million, Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand, Forty-One Dollars) from the United States Department of the Treasury, in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) pursuant to ARPA, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to ARPA and the administrative regulations adopted by the United States Department of the Treasury (“Final Rule”), the County of Kane shall use SLFRF to defray costs associated with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the County, to address the economic fallout from the pandemic, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-313, the Kane County Board has established the American Rescue Plan Committee (“ARPC”) as a resource for research, education, planning, and recommendations for the best allocation and uses of the County’s SLFRF; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-156, the Kane County Board approved the recommended Spending Plan as proposed by the ARPC, which designates $42,000,000 (Forty-Two Million Dollars) to be used for Kane County Department and Elected Office project requests; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Health Department has made a request in the amount of $9,975,000 of SLFRF to fund Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents for the purpose of Responding to the public health and negative economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic and
WHEREAS, the mental health impact of the pandemic has been well documented. The National Institutes of Health point to a 2021 study which showed almost half of Americans reported recent symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder, with 10% reporting that their mental health needs were not being met. Rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, overdose, suicidal ideation, suicide all increased during the pandemic. In Kane County, suicide attempts have increased by 97% since before the pandemic and Kane County Coroner data shows a 16% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2021. Many stressors increased risk for all residents including: fear of illness death to individual or a loved one, uncertainty, change in routine, remote schooling, loss of care giver, social isolation and financial instability. Data from the CDC show young people were especially impacted with 37% of high school students reporting poor mental health and 44% reporting that they had feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Specific populations require unique interventions, so this project will address issues experienced differently by residents of different ages, races/ethnicities, socio-economic groups and orientations. and
WHEREAS, to assist the County in determining whether the project is an eligible use of SLFRF under ARPA, the Final Rule, and the related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, the ARPC consultant, Ernst and Young, has reviewed the Kane County Health Department’s request for SLFRF for Addressing Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents for the purpose of responding to the public health and negative economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic and completed an assessment regarding the project’s eligibility under section EC1 (Public Health), sub-categories 1.12 (Mental Health Services) and 1.13 (Substance Use Services)(see Exhibit A); and
WHEREAS, the ARPC recommends that the Kane County Board authorizes the use SLFRF in the amount of $9,975,000 to fund the Addressing Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents for the Kane County Health Department, to be spent during the ARPA period of performance and in accordance with the ARPA, the Final Rule and related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, and any other Federal, State or local laws and regulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kane County Board hereby authorizes the Kane County Health Department use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the amount of $9,975,000 to be used for Addressing Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents, in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Final Rule, and related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, and any other Federal, State or local laws and regulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Kane County Board that the following grant expenses be budgeted in:
2024 2025 2026 Total Project
355.800.668110.40000 Salaries and Wages $170,000 $210,000 $220,000 $600,000
355.800.668110.50150 Contractual/Consulting $2,860,000 $3,160,000 $3,160,000 $9,180,000
355.800.668110.60010 Operating Supplies $100,000 $50,000 $45,000 $195,000
$3,130,000 $3,420,000 $3,425,000 $9,975,000
Passed by the Kane County Board on December 12, 2023.
_________________________ _________________________
John A. Cunningham, MBA, J.D. Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: