Justice Discusses School Re-Opening Plans Again; Clothing Allowance Applications to Begin Being Accepted on Sept. 1
By Chris Johnson on August 07, 2020 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said on Friday during his COVID-19 response press conference that he understands there are questions that remain in regard to plans to re-open schools on Sept. 8 but criticism is unfair.
"We have given tremendous flexibility to the counties for them to know what is best for their communities," Justice said. "We have given great latitude and choice to parents, because nobody knows what is best for their children than their parents.
"Of course it's not a perfect plan, but it is perfect to the best of our abilities."
Justice went on to say that everybody involved is pivoting when new information comes in and he went over the undertaking of the Kids Connect Program which will add internet access points to all 55 counties to assist with virtual learning options.
More information about the re-opening plans including a map for the planned new access points can be seen HERE
It was also announced during the press conference that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will begin accepting school clothing allowance applications on Tuesday, Sept. 1., for eligible children enrolled in West Virginia schools. Each eligible child will receive a $200 benefit that may be used toward the purchase of appropriate school clothing or piece goods for families who sew clothing for their children.
The following will automatically receive school clothing allowance benefits for each school-age child in the home by the end of August:
- Families with school-aged children currently receiving WV WORKS cash assistance
- Those in foster care
- Children ages 4-18 that receive SNAP, are enrolled in school and under 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
Families who received school clothing allowance in 2019 and currently have Medicaid coverage only should receive an application by mail in late August to apply for the school clothing allowance program. Those needing to update their address may do so at www.wvpath.org or by calling DHHR’s Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212.
Others may be eligible for school clothing allowance benefits, but the monthly income for a family of four may not exceed $2,184. Verification of income for the month of September must be submitted with the application.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school clothing allowance program recipients will receive either an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card or a check in place of the traditional paper voucher. This system upgrade allows for both online transactions and increased choice of vendors when purchasing school clothing or piece goods. The EBT card will operate as a debit card; the checks may be deposited or cashed.
Justice once again began his press conference by offering his condolences to the families of the three latest deaths from the virus, which brings the state's total to date to 127 before proceeding to talk about the other daily statistics.
"Our active cases are at 1,796 and are hospitalizations are at 122 up from 115," Justic.e said. "While we are concerned with these numbers but compared to the national level, they are phenomenally good. Our RT number is now at .92 and that's the eighth best in the nation."
The governor said there are still five counties in the state with active church outbreaks, including Taylor. He also said that a staff member of the veterans nursing home in Barboursville has tested positive but she has been quarantined at home and plans are in the works to re-test all staff and residents at that facility.
As far as funding allocations go, Justice said $7.6 million has been sent to small businesses and $72 million of CARES Act funds has been sent to 176 different county and city governments.
Video from Friday's press conference can be viewed below.
