On February 13, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly referred to as the economic stimulus package. A direct response to the economic crisis, the Recovery Act has three immediate goals:

• Create new jobs as well as save existing ones
• Spur economic activity and invest in long-term
  economic growth
• Foster unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency in government spending

While many Recovery Act projects are focused more immediately on jumpstarting the economy, others, especially those involving infrastructure improvements, are expected to contribute to economic growth for many years. Under the Recovery Act, Western Dairyland EOC Inc. has implemented the following initiatives:

Weatherization
ARRA funding: $3,100,000

• 508 additional homes weatherized with ARRA funds from June 2009 through August 2010.
• 18 full time jobs created

Head Start
ARRA funding: $268,097

• Purchased new playground equipment to improve playground accessibility and safety for children.
• Purchased a bus to improve the availability of transportation for children in rural areas.
• Renovated the Independence Center to improve the overall health and safety environment.
• Cost of living adjustments for staff to retain teachers with bachelors degrees and improve the overall quality of the program.
• $44,913 of the total amount was awarded to our delegate agency, the Eau Claire Area School District Head Start program, for teacher salaries and classroom improvements.

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP)
ARRA funding: $800,000

• Program will assist approximately 350 individuals/families to procure housing and/or remain in their current homes through the provision of rental and utility assistance as well as housing counseling.   
• A $48,000 subcontract with Legal Action Services of WI provides legal services and mediation to clients with eviction notices and landlord disputes.
• Hired one new FTE Homeless Specialist for a two-year term.

Homeless Havens
ARRA funding: $10,000

• Assist in payment of the rent and utilities of Western Dairyland's seven homeless havens (one year duration).

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP): 
ARRA funding: $17,068

• Buffalo County received $4,155 to provide minimal amounts of funding for food pantries, homeless shelter rent, motel vouchers and rental assistance.  (1 year duration)
• Trempealeau County received $9,004.04 to provide minimal amounts of funding for food pantries, homeless shelter rent, motel vouchers and rental assistance.  (1 year duration)
• Jackson County received $3908.96 to provide approximately seven months of WDEOC homeless shelter rent. 

Fresh Start
ARRA funding: $51,786

• Provides partial salaries for 2 FTE Fresh Start Program Managers, one in Jackson, one in Eau Claire, serving 20
  at-risk youth. 
• Covers travel, supplies and $9500 of participant support, including transportation, meals, driving lessons, tuition fees, and minor renovation of office space. 

Skills Enhancement Program
ARRA funding: $19,932

• $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to 10 individuals who are income eligible, working at least 20 hours/week and are choosing to enter post secondary school training that will be completed within 2 years.  Funding can purchase books, permits, testing fees, uniforms, lap tops, etc. 
• Covers a portion of staff salaries for one year.

Foreclosure Intervention: 
ARRA funding: $42,322

• Funding for an Intervention Coordinator, serving over 100 families to restructure mortgages, pay back-taxes, etc. to remain in their homes. (1 year duration)

AmeriCorp
ARRA funding: $45,070

• Hired two AmeriCorps members.  One operates the Financial Literacy program (FLIP) serving 75 clients to create, understand and manage budgets—financial education-- and one is the Fresh Start Volunteer Management and Generation member recruiting 25 additional volunteers to work with the youth in Fresh Start.  (1 year duration).
• Pays the health insurance, WC, FICA, etc. along with travel, supplies and computers for the two AmeriCorp members.

Job & Business Development
ARRA funding: $100,315

• Salaries, fringe and travel expenses for staff members.
• Fifty individuals will attend group training sessions, of which 30 will receive individual technical assistance.
• 11 new businesses will be created and 4 struggling businesses will be retained.

Child Care Partnership Resource & Referral
ARRA funding: $77,217

• Mini grants for regulated child care providers living under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• 0.25 FTE position.
• Child care business start-up technical assistance for licensing.
• Onsite child care business technical assistance for the purpose of quality enhancement and retention.
• Early childhood workshops and materials to keep providers eligible for regulation and to enhance business skills.

Partner Agencies & Community Organizations
Western Dairyland awarded $50,000 of ARRA funds to the following organizations:

• Hmong Mutual Assistance Association ($10,000 for Hmong Elderly Project)
• Chippewa Valley Free Clinic ($10,000 for medications)
• Community Table ($5,000 for food)
• St. Francis Food Pantry ($10,000 for food)
• Alma Food Pantry ($5,000 for food)
• Arcadia Food Pantry ($5,000 for food)
• Taylor Food Pantry ($5,000 for food)