‘Looking at tougher times’: Nonprofits concerned about uncertainty of Jackson County COVID relief funds

By Nydja Hood, KCTV-5

The use of $70.4 million in COVID relief funds is on the line in Jackson County. Nonprofits who serve the community fear they will be left out of the equation.

“There’s still kids in Jackson County going into homes without lights on. There are families at the point where they could lose their home,” said Linc COO Jeff Hill.

Linc is one of several community-based organizations that contributed to an open letter addressing Jackson County executive Frank White, and asking to reinvest these funds into community needs.

Frank White has since responded to this letter in a statement saying in part,

“The plan I support offers a balanced and responsible solution. It would allow the county to reimburse itself for eligible public health and public safety costs, ensuring that we maintain critical services and financial stability. At the same time, it would provide opportunities to continue supporting non-profits and community partners in the coming years. While this approach is not ideal, it is the best option left available to the county as we face looming deadlines to allocate these funds.

The clock is ticking on the decision and in just a few short weeks, this money could be sent back to the federal government.

“The idea that this money could be sent back and Jackson County kids and families could lose out on the opportunity to access these funds is something that we just weren’t comfortable being quiet about,” said Hill.

Another nonprofit—Mattie Rhodes—provides services geared toward improving personal health. This includes preparing preschoolers for kindergarten, helping adults find jobs, and mental health services and therapy.

According to the nonprofit CEO, they applied to receive COVID relief funds last year and were denied. They said their plans for the funds were to support services addressing food insecurity, violence prevention, and after-school programming.

“Less dollars means you’ll have less people going hungry. Less dollars means that there will be fewer slots for kids to participate in afterschool programming,” said Mattie Rhodes President/CEO John Fierro, “Less money means organizations like us who need to make capital upgrades will have to put those on hold and just hope that we can find other dollars to address those capital needs.”

Some Jackson County leaders are proposing using the money to support salaries and benefits for public safety and health employees. Mattie Rhodes hopes there will be opportunity for discussion before a decision is made and that nonprofits like his will get a seat at the table.

“We’re looking at some tougher times for families ahead of us,” said Fierro.

Jackson County leaders have until the end of the year to decide what to do with the money or they could lose it.