Funding Made Possible from Provision Pallone

Authored in the American Rescue Plan

Press Release 3/17/21

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that New Jersey will receive $267,527,208 to support COVID-19 screening testing for teachers, staff, and students so that schools can safely re-open for in-person instruction. The funding is part of the American Rescue Plan that Pallone authored in the U.S. House of Representatives and President Biden signed into law last week. State and certain local health departments should expect to receive the funding by early April.

“I’m glad to see funds from the American Rescue Plan are making their way to New Jersey to support our state’s ongoing COVID-19 testing operations,” Congressman Pallone said. “Testing is key to reducing the spread of COVID-19, getting our kids back to school, revitalizing our economy, and safely returning to normal patterns of life. This funding will help students, teachers, and staff return to the classroom with confidence knowing that our state has the resources it needs to reduce the transmission of the virus. It’s important that we get students back in the classroom when it’s safe so that they receive the education they need.”

The funding will be distributed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC will also work with state and local health departments to provide technical assistance in setting up COVID-19 testing programs. CDC guidelines have noted that COVID-19 screening is a tool schools can utilize to help re-open safely as part of a comprehensive COVID-19 mitigation approach.