Results from Columbia ARPA focus groups revealed

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services has been collecting feedback from the community on how to allocate American Rescue Plan funding the City of Columbia received. 

ARPA is a federal aid package that provides funding to families, governments, businesses, schools, nonprofits and others impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Columbia will receive a total of $25.2 million of ARPA funds to use.

Following a survey -- that received 4,470 responses -- PHHS conducted a series of focus groups to hear from individuals who were identified as underrepresented and individuals who have experiences that align with the top priorities identified in the survey results. 

Focus groups were held from Aug. 8- Sept. 1 and the results were presented to the City Council on Nov. 7. Initial applications are open until Friday. Applications for funding for the second half of the money will be open at a later date.

The results of the survey and focus groups determined these as priority areas: 

• Access to services.
• Affordable housing.
• Workforce support.
• Access to mental health services.