REGION 1 – FEMA recently obligated $1,210,103 to reimburse the Boston Public Health Commission for the cost of COVID-19 community-based testing sites at five local health centers between May 13 and Aug. 31, 2020.
The grant, which was provided at 100% federal cost share, reimburses the Boston Public Health Commission for costs it incurred for the creation, operation and management of the testing sites during the COVID-19 emergency response.
"Testing is vital to the coronavirus-pandemic response, and these health centers helped save the lives of many in the Boston area,” said Acting Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford, who oversees FEMA’s operations in New England. “The centers continue to serve an important role in underserved communities throughout the area and with those disproportionately affected by COVID-19.”
Fixed and mobile site testing was conducted at Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester House (DotHouse Health), East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center and the Whittier Street Health Center. Costs for testing at individual testing locations varied depending on the location and number of testing-related services performed.
This project is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program that reimburses eligible applicants for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a major disaster. Eligible applicants include the state, federally recognized tribal governments, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. Project applications are submitted from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), which coordinates the process with eligible applicants.
FEMA awarded funding for this project directly to MEMA who works directly with the applicant to ensure all terms and conditions of the award are met before funding is disbursed.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters