Rep. Blunt Rochester highlights push for funding for First State Community Action Agency, in face of Gov. Shutdown

GEORGETOWN, Del. – If you’re in Delaware, you know the work that the First State Community Action Agency does- from job sponsorships, the pallet village in Georgetown, food pantries, and even helping families become first-time homeowners.

But all those efforts are now threatened by a looming government shutdown, despite bipartisan support for the 770 million dollar block grant funding that helps the National Community Action Foundation programming.

The grants allow local centers to tailor their programming, staffing, and financial services based on local needs, but any pause or even delay from federal funding could jeopardize those services according to Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester.

“This community services block grant funding is necessary. The first state served over close to 12,000 individuals just in the past year. And so when we think about making sure that people thrive in Delaware, this funding is important,” Rep. Blunt Rochester said adding that she voted to keep the program funded at its current level, with the First State location receiving upwards of 6 million dollars in 2023.

She says that the program is supported across the aisle and is in the current House appropriations bill being negotiated, but even that is no guarantee that the funding could come down from Washington.

“Even if we don’t have a shutdown this weekend if it keeps getting pushed and pushed and pushed, there will be a point where the automatic cuts will go into effect,” she said.

Speaking in support of the center, Rep. Blunt Rochester heard from families who had found their first jobs post-incarceration, bought their first homes, or received aid funding through the organization, and says any pause could help undo years of work put forward by the group.

“You can’t just take an automatic cut in your household like your mortgage is still your mortgage, you have bills that you got to pay, and so for us, we want to see programs like this continue, she said.

If a deal is not reached in Washington a shutdown could take place as soon as March 1st.