CHICAGO – FEMA and the Michigan State Police (MSP), Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division announced today that more than $70 million has been made available to Detroit Public Schools Community District for costs related to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal disaster declaration of March 27, 2020.
This funding will reimburse the Detroit Public Schools Community District for costs to provide emergency protective measures that included procuring COVID-19 testing supplies and performing testing and lab services.
“FEMA’s Public Assistance Program remains an important resource for communities recovering after the outbreak of COVID-19,” said FEMA Region 5 Regional Administrator Tom Sivak. “This grant funding supports the work done by the Detroit Public School system to keep kids safe and continue the critical services that they provided to so many Detroit families during the pandemic.”
"During the COVID-19 pandemic, Detroit Public Schools implemented numerous measures to safeguard its students and ensure they remained engaged and actively learning, even in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “This reimbursement funding is a significant step toward replenishing the resources expended during that critical time. It enables the district to continue moving forward in this post-pandemic era with a strong commitment to the safety, well-being, and education of both students and staff."
This funding reflects two projects for the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The first totals $66,359,154 at 100% federal cost share. For the second project, FEMA is paying 90% of the $4,062,781 eligible cost. Final reimbursement amounts are pending an official project review by the state of Michigan.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for debris removal, disaster cleanup and emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.