Utah receives more stimulus funds

The Obama administration on Thursday released more economic stimulus funds for Utah, including $22.4 million to help with child care for low-income families, $2.2 million to help with immunizations and $515,000 for emergency shelters and food banks.

Vice President Joe Biden said as he announced the child-care funding, "Parents are worried about finding a job or keeping the job they have, and they shouldn't have to worry about affording quality child care. Safe, affordable, high-quality child care gives working parents the peace of mind they need to be stable, dependable employees."

Utah received $22.4 million in extra money through the Child Care and Development Fund, the primary federal program to help provide care for children whose low-income parents are working, looking for a job or are receiving job training or education. That included more than $1 million targeted for infants and toddlers.

Two Utah tribes also received money through the program: the Paiute Tribe received $24,757 and the Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation received $78,790.

Utah's share is part of $2 billion divided among the states, territories and tribes for child care.

Also, Utah was given $2.2 million to buy vaccines and operate facilities and programs to help distribute them.

Biden said, "Vaccines help keep children healthy, prevent costly stays in hospitals and fight diseases that can lead to serious illness or death. The Recovery Act will help to vaccinate more Americans, cut health care-costs, improve public health and save lives."

Utah's share is part of $300 million divided among the states and territories for vaccines.

Utah homeless shelters and food banks will split $514,469 in extra stimulus funds beyond amounts previously released last December.

Amounts granted include Salt Lake County, $200,567; Utah County, $78,409; Washington County, $31,355; Iron County, $9,621; Uintah County, $4,430; and San Juan County, $3,294.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who helped announce funding, said, "Shoring up efforts by the states to meet the surge in demand by families hit hard by the recession is a primary goal of the economic recovery legislation. Whether it's providing immunizations for preschoolers, more money for child care vouchers or additional funds to community shelters, this announcement delivers on that goal."

E-MAIL: lee@desnews.com