More than $400,000 in grant funding was distributed to shelters, including A Woman’s Place in Bucks County, serving families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors and their families, and others across Pennsylvania to improve internet access and support purchase of computer equipment for parents and children to use while staying at the shelter. This funding is aimed to help parents at these centers look for jobs, housing and other necessary services, and for children to participate in educational services and programming, especially as some schools continue to operate blended or virtual learning models.
“We live in an increasingly digital age, and as COVID-19 is requiring limited social interaction, greater barriers are created for families that do not have reliable access to technology. This can make it harder for parents to pursue employment, education and training, and other supportive services, and for children to participate in virtual learning and stay on top of homework assignments,” said Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller. “These grants will help families in difficult situations access technology and services necessary to break down barriers and continue looking towards the future.”
Fifty-nine family homeless, women’s and domestic violence shelters in 28 counties received $420,375 in grant funding distributed by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning to support the purchase of, or improvements to, internet and wireless access, computer equipment and supplies, and family engagement materials and activities for parents and children to use while in shelters. Centers awarded funding are available here.
