County accepting applications for American Rescue Plan Act funding through April 7

Sonoma County has opened the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Notice of Funding Availability process to accept applications for ARPA funding through April 7. The county has allocated $34 million to support community resilience programs that address community needs identified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county is prioritizing applications that address systemic public health and economic challenges contributing to the unequal impact of the pandemic on certain populations. 

“The Board of Supervisors is pleased to provide this opportunity for local organizations to participate in supporting and addressing the needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Supervisor James Gore, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We look forward to supporting and strengthening our community resilience through these targeted efforts.”

The COVID-19 impact across Sonoma County and the nation have disproportionately impacted certain communities. As a result, the county is prioritizing community investments that address disproportionality and ensure accountability of the equity principles in the ARPA legislation, in the County’s Racial Equity & Social Justice Strategic Plan Pillar and in the Portrait of Sonoma County: 2021 Update. The county has relied on the data revealed in the Portrait of Sonoma and COVID-19 Case Data for Sonoma County related to the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on specific populations, to further define the areas of focus.

ARPA funds will be used in Sonoma County to address the public health and economic impacts of the pandemic on the hardest-hit communities, populations, and households in Sonoma County. In December 2021, the board allocated $9 million to launch a Rapid Economic Assistance Program to address the impacts of the pandemic on low-income residents. Through a series of community engagement efforts, including virtual town halls, surveys and convening an ARPA Equity Workgroup, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has prioritized the funding of specific impacts and disparities in public health outcomes as a result of the pandemic. These activities include:

• Direct financial assistance to households for basic needs
• Childcare and childcare facilities
• Educational disparities
• Community health worker and public benefits navigators
• Housing and shelter
• Mental health services
• Assistance to essential workers, including farm workers
• Small business and nonprofits
• Premium pay
• Culturally responsive COVID-19 disaster response and long-term recovery

Applicants are encouraged to describe how their programs will help eliminate or reduce disparities experienced by adversely impacted populations. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to review the ARPA Notice of Funding Availability webpage and timelines.

For more information and details about submitting your application to the ARPA NOFA process, visit the Sonoma County Upstream Investments American Rescue Plan Act page.

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