Path to Recovery Update 9/13

Grant Funding Supports COVID-19 Response

Mt. SAC is working to strategically use state and federal programs designed to support communities grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of 116 California Community Colleges, Mt. SAC is eligible to apply for the COVID-19 Response Block Grant. This block grant can be used to support activities that directly impact student learning, continuity of education, and mitigate learning loss related to COVID-19. State legislators expect programs that support underrepresented students to be prioritized. At the federal level, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided Mt. SAC $17.5-million in coronavirus aid. Half of the aid was made available to students in the form of emergency cash grants to help students pay for housing, food, and other basic essentials. The other half is to help the college offset financial losses from the outbreak, such as faculty training to teach online, personal protective equipment, and covering parking permit fee reimbursements.

Los Angeles County COVID-19 Status

Recently, the state unveiled the Blueprint for a Safer California, a system that places California’s counties into four tiers based on the number of new daily cases and the percentage of positive tests. Los Angeles County remains in the widespread (purple) category with the highest level of restrictions. While neighboring Orange County has moved to a lower tier in the substantial (red) category, public health officials anticipate Los Angeles County will remain in the purple tier for at least another 5 weeks. Early data shows Los Angeles County residents were more careful over the Labor Day weekend and have avoided a major spike in cases like the one that occurred after Fourth of July.