15 Million Dollars Going Toward Home and Community Based Services

 As of January 2014, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued final regulations, or rules, for Home and Community-Based Services. The rules included the following: Outreach and information regarding the HCBS rules for individuals served and members of their support teams and Supporting individuals served on a more individualized basis to promote community integration and employment. With 2020/21 changing the world's state with a global pandemic, the federal center thought it would be best to add 15 million to the fund. 

California Power Resiliency Grants

 To help Californian’s better prepare for natural disasters,Governor Gavin Newsom will be distributing 50 million dollars to local communities. This grant is through the  Community Power Resiliency grants through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. CEO of MHM & Associates, Luvina Beckley says “A grant like this is essential.The year has been hard enough with the pandemic, no one wants a power outage to add on to the stress.”“Even amidst a global pandemic, we continue to prepare our state for the natural and man-made disasters that may lie ahead,” said Gov. Newson. “These grants are part of our continued commitment to make sure that no Californian is left behind when disasters strike.” The legislature has also approved Governor Newsoms 75 million dollar resiliency grants, which will be distributed as 39 million- Counties, 37.5 million- State Agencies, 23 million- Cities, 20 million- Special Districts, 4 million- Tribes.

Indigenous Californians Receiving $30 Million in Grants

 Last week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla announced that Californians of native descent will receive 30 million dollars in grants for affordable housing.   This grant is a part of the Historic American Rescue Plan. Native Americans, as well as most people have had a hard time during this pandemic. Luvina Beckley, CEO of MHM & Associates states, “I am glad to see funds advancing inclusion and equity in housing. We often overlook those ways in which to directly reach those most in need.”

The funds for the grant will be dispersed between different Native reserves throughout California. Some of these reserves include: Graton Rancheria Federated Indians, Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians, Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Yurok Tribe, San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians.  Additional grants advancing inclusion and equity are highlighted by MHM & Associates in order to keep grant funders aware of a good way forward.

Environmental Sustainability and Justice

 NRDC-IE ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Note: Biden/Harris Administration - Millions in Grant Funds Prioritizing Environmental Justice Grants! 

The National Resource Development Council for Inclusion and Equity (NRDC-IE) is seeking to engage and coordinate efforts with non-profit organizations in securing grants that are committed to advancing Environmental Justice!  Beckley - CEO of M.H.M. & Associates Enterprises , one of the most successful Black/Women owned Grant Writing Firms in the U.S., states ‘The best part about the Biden/Harris administration’s granting initiative is they have designated grant funding for small entities (with 10 employees or less). This immediately makes those that are often left out, competitive, regardless of the agency size’.  

NRDC-IE will be assisting hundreds of its members in pursuing millions in grants under its NRDC-IE E1:  Environmental Sustainability and Justice platform (as part of its e3p3 Initiative to engage Black and Women owned or led businesses in accessing grants).  The mission is to accelerate outcomes supporting effective partnerships, agencies or projects that address:

Climate resiliency; 

Disaster resiliency;

Water reuse innovation, infrastructure and technologies; 

Environmental Justice; and 

Land use and reuse. 

The next NRDC-IE coordinated Grant under E1: Environmental Sustainability and Justice will be submitted May 7th, 2021.  

To be a part of this collective effort and to receive grant funding to advance your project or mission, please RSVP to attend our next informational webinar on March 31st, 2021 at 10:00 PST at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M-wF2guxQ-miwg-M-2iECg

 

Let’s End this Pandemic on a Good Note

 The office of Governor, Gavin Newsom has confirmed that Newson has now signed a legislative package that will provide relief to citizens of california during this pandemic.This package will provide relief to small businesses, It will provide more resources for critical child care,and it will provide fee waivers for those with heavily impacted licenses. Grants and federal fundings are important at this time due to the pandemic. Many people have lost their jobs, their homes and even their will to keep moving forward. It has been a hard time for a lot of people, especially Californians. We have the most cases here in California, sitting at 1.6 million cases. Needless to say, we need all the help we get. With help from our government, we can get things back to normal. It will not be immediate, but it will happen soon enough. Luvina Beckley, with Mhm and Associates have been helping business owners receive government funds for over 20 years. She has been even more motivated to do so during this pandemic. Beckley is a leader who will see your goals, and help you achieve them. It is great to see that during this time, many people have stepped up to be leaders and to help their fellow citizens in need. Soon enough, we will all be able to look back at these times, and remember the good that came out of it, rather than the bad. If we all just share a little bit of kindness and support our local businesses, we can end this pandemic off on a good note.

The Importance of Teamwork in Pursuing Grants

 How many of you look forward to the opportunity to support others with your strengths?  According to the journal American Psychologist, It has been proven by science that working in teams is important when it comes to a company's success. Working in a team will always be more beneficial than working alone, so never see it as something that is dreadful.  I know some people do not feel comfortable working with others, or they just prefer not to, but it is essential. Someone that you work with may have an idea that you did not  think of or maybe they are more talented in a specific area. As John J. Murphy put it, “Each individual has unique gifts and talents.” When you work as a team of individuals, with each having their unique talents, you will grow as an individual as well.  In addition, you will learn new things about yourself, and you will become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses. When you have weakness, don’t fret, because your team ( a good team that is) will support you by covering for our weaknesses. You will not be the only one with weaknesses. In addition, you will get the opportunity to support others as well with your strengths. 

How we can Actually Help Small Businesses

 With the past year keeping everyone from spreading the coronavirus, a lot of businesses had to shut down while everyone was saying “support small businesses”, Yesterday. The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom announced that there will be a $9.6-billion economic recovery package. 2.1 billion dollars will go to grants for small businesses. This is great news! New grants being written and funded to ‘for-profit’ entities.  Allowing quite a few businesses to remain open or reopen. However, that will not be enough? For profit businesses getting grants seems like it's new but it's not. Companies such as Wells Fargo, Chrysler, and Alliance Financial Corp have received government funding  and each of them have been included as part of public, private partnerships.  So how can we keep this going. Maybe just maybe, for profit businesses can keep things going being a part of Public, Private Partnerships that support their sustained capacity to keep receiving grants!  Worth the thought!