Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties receive intergenerational poverty grants
Eight counties received funding to support local efforts as part of the Intergenerational Poverty Implementation Program Grant
The Department of Workforce Services announced Aug. 30 that eight counties received a total of $900,000 in funding to support plans addressing intergenerational poverty in their local communities. The Intergenerational Poverty Implementation Program Grant recipients are Carbon, Iron, Kane, San Juan, Sanpete, Utah, Washington, and Weber Counties.
“Utah communities are stepping up as leaders in tackling intergenerational poverty,” said Utah Lt. Governor Spencer Cox. “These grants will help communities implement local solutions to improve the quality of life for our families stuck in the cycle of poverty.”
Each county is working on strategies relating to Utah’s four focus areas of child well-being for the Intergenerational Poverty Initiative: Early childhood development, education, family economic stability, and health. All funded county plans must include outcomes and use data to measure progress toward the outcomes. The Utah Legislature funded the grants during its 2018 General Session. The requirements for the funding were included in House Bill 326, sponsored by Rep. Edward Redd and co-sponsored by Sen. Howard Stephenson.
“Many people in local communities understand the long-term effects of intergenerational poverty on children and families and are actively engaged in developing solutions,” said Redd. “These grants will assist ongoing efforts of communities in our state to mobilize local resources to address intergenerational poverty on a local level.”
A summary of the Intergenerational Poverty Implementation Program Grant recipients, their plans, and funding amounts is below:
—Carbon County was awarded: $75,000plans to expand the Strengthen Families Program, which teaches parenting skills, children’s life skills and family skills. This will be conducted through Carbon County’s Circles program.
—Iron County was awarded $150,000 and plans to have a social worker in each middle school to focus on student who are experiencing intergenerational poverty, and also plans on enhancing the 4-H afterschool program.
—Kane County was awarded $75,000 and plans to make a current part-time family resource facilitator into a full-time position to focus on early childhood development through Allies with Families. The facilitator will also administer an afterschool program for Kindergarten to 6th grade and a free summer lunch program.
—San Juan County was awarded $75,000 and plans to make a current part-time family resource facilitator into a full-time position to promote early childhood literacy.
—Sanpete County was awarded $75,000 and plans to hire a social worker to focus on preschool enrollment for children experiencing intergenerational poverty, and connecting families with services and programs.
—Utah County was awarded $150,000 and plans to support a variety of initiatives such as mentoring, health, education, and food services through its community partners. These include the USU Extension Office, Boys and Girls Club, Community Action Services, Utah Food Bank, Provo School District and the Utah County Health Department.
—Washington County was awarded $150,000 and plans to focus on improving education, mentoring and connecting individuals to resources by partnering with the Circles program, Dixie Tech and Workforce Services.
—Weber County was awarded $150,000 and plans to support Integrated Community Action Now, a pilot program focusing on family resiliency, community accountability and child self-determination. It will also support trauma informed care training.
For more information on the Intergenerational Poverty Initiative, visit intergenerationalpoverty.utah.gov.
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