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GoogleOn Tuesday, Gov. Phil Bredesen announced the approval of $19.5 million in funding for Tennessee made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.
SCHRA, which services Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry and Wayne counties, will receive $1,293,376, according to the announcement.
The funds will flow through the Tennessee Department of Human Services and on to the 20 community action and human resource agencies across the midstate and are targeted at low-income seniors, individuals with disabilities and families with very small children.
"Community Services Block Grant funds are a lifeline to our most vulnerable citizens," Bredesen said.
"The additional dollars will help more families take care of the basics: putting food on the table, making this month's rent or mortgage payment, or even buying diapers and baby formula for their children."
The goal of the CSBG program is to provide services to eligible low-income individuals and families to improve the communities in which they live. A family or individual must be living at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (that's $27,562/year for a family of four).
CSBG agencies will focus on five areas for their ARRA funding: nutrition (particularly food banks), employment, housing, health, and emergency services.
"DHS sees effects of this troubled economy every day, in every corner of the state," said DHS Commissioner Gina Lodge. "The number of individuals and families applying for public assistance programs has risen greatly over the past year. We are so pleased that more help for vital services will be made available through the Recovery program and our local CSBG agencies."
The CSBG Recovery Act provides $1 billion in federal funds to be distributed nationally, with Tennessee's share at $19.5 million.
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Vote buying plain and simple.
The money would have helped more if it had stayed in the hands of the people who earned it, where it's investment would have created real jobs.
The only reason the economy is down right now is because of a small segment of the population bought stuff they couldn't afford (housing crisis). Then the government did the same with the stimulus package and the bailouts, that only lengthened and deepened they economic problem instead of letting it correct itself.
Yes quietmike I have to say I totally agree with you. All that stimulus money should have went straight to the banks just like the billions of other dollars. It has provided so many new jobs, just think how many more new jobs this would have created.
"I hope everyone in this room knows sarcasm when they hear it"
I hope this money goes to the elderly, the crippled, the mentally handicapped and the terminally ill. Based on what I've seen from most of the "low-income" group these are the only deserving poverty level people. When I see the young girls stop getting pregnant out of wedlock, the people in the welfare lines give up their cigarettes, their tattoos, their pedicures and manicures, their multiple piercings and their 6 or 12 packs, then maybe I may start to believe they deserve a free handout of taxes taken from my hard-earned pay.
All that stimulus money should have went straight to the banks just like the billions of other dollars.
-- Posted by Lostin Thought on Wed, Jul 29, 2009, at 2:31 PM
If you think only the banks pay taxes, then I need to have a talk with the IRS.
I don't know about sarcasm, but I know spoon fed propaganda when I hear it.
Has anyone taken the time to realize that this "fake" money is just debt that we owe as a nation?
This money is not real; it is borrowed from other countries.
This is the demise our currency and our country if this madness does not stop.
I am sure it will go to all the illegals here in Shelbyville. I am so tired of seeing them pay for groceries with the American flag credit card "food stamps". In front of me at the grocery store the other day were two buying some veggies and meat and then they bought those single serving muscle milk at $3.00 to $ 4.00 a piece with food stamps what is wrong with this country?
This is a bunch of bull. What about the struggling single parents who make just over the limit you all allow. Those so called low-income families get enough of our money that we work hard to make. Let these so called low income people get their lazy selves up and get a job and quit laying on their backs and having babies all the time and selling their foodstamps to buy drugs and beer and cigarettes.
This is part of the stimulus fund package and you are going to pay taxes on this money regardless of where it is used. Would you rather that maybe this money be used to help some poor elderly family have heat this winter or pay bonuses for bankers?
But I do agree with you our welfare and or Food Stamp program is flawed greatly. I do not agree with women having a house full of kids in order to live on government asistance and government housing. There should be a limit to the amount of funds that one person is allowed to receive if they are able to work. The elderly in America are the ones who are left out of this problem they live on very small Social Security checks and are offered $20-25 a month in Food Stamps (what does 20-25 dollars really buy a month)
The problem with limiting resources that these people are allowed to receive is you not only punish the parents that are living off the government but you are punishing the children also. They are not old enough to fend for themselves... most of these parents wouldn't get a job even if you offered them one and let me assure you they will eat whether the kids do or not.
what about the people who cannot get assistance in any form the poor working middle class. We don't get food stamps welfare or whatever.. but we work hard and still struggle.
4fabfelines . . . and we still get taxed so they can give it those who cant or dont want to work or provide for themself. The middle class will always be screwed!
Would you rather that maybe this money be used to help some poor elderly family have heat this winter or pay bonuses for bankers?
-- Posted by Dianatn on Thu, Jul 30, 2009, at 12:13 PM
Where are you getting the idea that the stimulus money is only coming from banks????
The stimulus money comes from taxpayers, you and I who are hard working and can use the money more wisely, efficiently, and with less waste than the feds.
Yep, middle class are the one who are getting the raw deal.
Also, the food stamp program needs restructuring. I personally think it should only pay for fresh vegetables, meats, breads, etc. Not a box of ding dongs, a case of pepsi, chips, etc. It's ridiculous!!! I could say more but I don't want to step on any toes here.
Where are you getting the idea that the stimulus money is only coming from banks????
The stimulus money comes from taxpayers, you and I who are hard working and can use the money more wisely, efficiently, and with less waste than the feds.
-- Posted by quietmike on Thu, Jul 30, 2009, at 2:51 PM
hmmm I never said the stimulus money was coming from banks there is a difference in coming from and going to. But if you don't know that the banking system has received billions in stimulus money and are paying bonuses and large salaries with it you need to turn on your TV every once in a while.
You ask the question would we rather the money go to old folks or bankers?
The money to the bankers has already been spent, sending good money after bad does not make things even or better. I have opposed every "bailout" by the feds, no matter where it goes.
Robbing hardworking people to give it to leeches, be they corporate or skid row, only hurts everyone and penalizes hard work and prudent decision making.
I think that the money should be used by the elderly the diabled amd handicapped there isn't enough done for them you work all your lifr to retire and just living on ssa is hard no 401 k's or
retirement benefits for a lot of us
honda14 . . . I absolutely agree. I will see people use the food stamp card and see so much junk food and other foods that really aren't needed in their basket. They definitely need to restructure the program and welfare in general so that it motivates and requires people to look for and get a job even it is catching chickens at Tysons. The system now creates an atmosphere that allows individuals to be accustomed to receiving handouts which starts a cycle that never ends because it is easier to them. So many times we help individuals who don't want to help themselves but ignore the elderly and disabled who can't help themselves and that frustrates me so much!
That is also how I feel about healthcare . . . if people want to receive some form of government healthcare then they need show proof that they tried everything possible to afford insurance on their own such as removing cable, cell phones, internet, cigarettes and alcohol among other personal luxuries from their budget and must answer to an agent ever month and continue to show their income expenses and receive guidance on maintaining their income. It is only fair if you are going to stick your hand out for assistance . . .
Totally agree with you Jaxspike. So many times I have seen people pay with food stamps while they are stand there talking on there cellphone. Whats wrong with that picture I know what my phone bill cost surely if they can afford a cell phone they shouldn't have food stamps.
look yall are mad cause yall dont get them....ya kno maybe our husband pay's the cell phone bill && for 2 why you gotta look in people's buggies its none of your business...maybe you have the money other people don't so don't critisize the way people are...jus keep ur mouths shut until you get in a situation....pople cant help the way they are...and the healthcare thing you ppl are worthless....go get a life yall are mad cause yall have 2 pay everytime u have to go to the doc && i dont....G.N.R.