Arnall foundation awards $300K in grants
The A rn all Family Foundation announced Friday that nearly $300,000 in grants has been given to 27 organizations throughout the state as part of a newly created fund to help agencies respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agencies dealing with domestic violence intervention, mental health services, foster care and juvenile justice will use the money to fund new technology, family support options and informal care for foster families.
Oklahoma' s Office of Juvenile Affairs received $20,000 and will use the funds to buy devices for youth in custody to communicate with family, mentors and service workers.
“Family engagement is essential because it contributes to the youth's ongoing well-being and development,” Office of Juvenile Affairs interim Director Rachel Holt said in a statement.
Western Plains Youth and Family Services in Woodward also won funding and plans to upgrade its internet services and software for teletherapy throughout rural northwest Oklahoma, according to a news release.
“It was important to us to quickly provide support to these populations that we know are experiencing immense stress as a result of this pandemic,” said Sue Ann Arnall, president of the foundation. “But we are also hopeful that some of these immediate solutions will create opportunities for longterm benefits.”
The original plan was to give out up to $200,000 from the COVID-19 Child Welfare Rapid Response Fund, but that increased after the agency received over 60 applications totaling over $1 million, according to a news release.
“Communities throughout the state are rising to the occasion to keep families and youth connected during a time when it is so easy to feel isolated,” Arnall said in the release.