by Rory Costello, Principal of KPMG Government Services Practice
View the entire newsletter for more articles: 2021 – NJAC County Biz – April
For decades, KPMG has been assisting New Jersey’s public sector entities as consultants, auditors and even tax advisors. As a firm that provides a wide range of services to most states and many prominent municipalities nationally, we understand the fiscal challenges resulting from COVID-19.
One area we follow closely for our clients is grant funding. From helping comply with federal compliance standards to meeting the challenges of administering state and federal funds timely, KPMG helps governments manage the breadth of their grants process. This often means a range of technology-enabled activities such as enrollment and eligibility, case management, program design and management, as well as oversight monitoring and reporting.
At $1.9 trillion, “The American Rescue Plan” is one such initiative for which we are helping governments better understand and explore their funding options.
The following areas may impact New Jersey’s counties:
- SNAP: $1.15 billion to extend administrative funding for the costs of State administrative expenses associated with carrying out SNAP programs.
- WIC: $390 million intended to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts, including appropriate waivers and flexibility, to increase participation in and redemption of benefits.
- Emergency Rental Assistance: $25 billion in additional funding to all States, Territories, and eligible local jurisdictions that were allotted ERA funding in December. Fund uses remain the same; however, grantees can now provide financial assistance to eligible households for up to 18 months.
- Homelessness Assistance Services: $5 billion for qualifying individuals or families in the form of rental assistance; affordable housing, housing counseling and homeless prevention services; as well as the acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units.
- Homeowner Assistance Fund: $10 billion for qualified mortgage assistance; reinstatement financing, principal or interest rate reduction, utility and insurance aid, etc.
- Vaccine Distribution, Testing & Contact Tracing: $53.5 billion to aid in vaccine distribution among states and local jurisdictions and to establish and expand testing and contact tracing capabilities.
- Community Health Centers: $6 billion in funding for community health centers and community care available until expended.
- Water Utility Rebate Aid Program: $500 million to States to assist low-income households that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services, by providing funds to owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works to reduce.
- Medicaid: $500 million to continue investment in COVID vaccines, vaccine distribution and testing. The funding also specifies the implementation, administration and planning services for programs, including mobile programs.Medicaid: $500 million to continue investment in COVID vaccines, vaccine distribution and testing. The funding also specifies the implementation, administration and planning services for programs, including mobile programs.
If you have questions about your funding issues, feel free to reach out. We are committed to the long-term success of New Jersey’s counties.
Rory Costello leads KPMG’s Government Services to state agencies and counties in New Jersey. Rory can be reached at rcostello@kpmg.com.