New COVID-19 funding support announced for vulnerable Delawareans, healthcare professionals in 24/7 facilities

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, and the Department of Health and Social Services have announced almost $17 million in financial support for Delawareans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as healthcare professionals at DHSS’ 24/7 facilities.

This new support, which we’re told will also expand COVID vaccinations and testing and provide housing assistance for vulnerable Delawareans, is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

This round of ARPA-funded projects related to DHSS include:

• Retention payments ($6.7 million): DHSS is providing quarterly retention payments to RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and other direct-care staff at its 24/7 facilities in response to the shortage of healthcare workers
• Housing assistance ($6 million): This funding will allow more families to begin the transition from emergency housing to permanent housing
• COVID testing in childcare centers ($1.5 million): Funding will provide for COVID-19 testing at early childhood development and education centers. Quidel, which has provided rapid antigen testing at Delaware’s K-12 schools beginning in 2021, will expand its services to childcare centers
• Housing for vulnerable pregnant women ($1.5 million): The Division of Public Health will support a housing model with wraparound services to serve pregnant women who are housing insecure
• Homebound COVID vaccine hotline ($1.1 million): DHSS is expanding its existing program, which delivers vaccines to people who are homebound, in partnership with independent pharmacies, pharmacist contractors, and nursing students and their supervisors
• Emergency supplies for families ($194,000): Contractors through the Division of Public Health will provide emergency supplies, including face masks, hand sanitizer, no-touch thermometers, diapers, infant formula, food, and water to families enrolled in home visiting programs