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Kansas Office of Recovery





September 23, 2022






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This week’s edition of the Office of Recovery Newsletter features an update from the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee. The Executive Committee met on September 16, 2022, to make recommendations for $374M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.  

Also included is information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on how Kansans can access free at-home COVID-19 tests. 

For the latest Treasury updates and information about resources available to Kansans, see the “Updates to Services and Support” section of this newsletter. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Office of Recovery website at: COVID.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]  

 

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SPARK Update
SPARK
 

*SPARK Executive Committee Makes ARPA Investment Recommendations* 

Last week the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee made recommendations regarding the high-level distribution of $374 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF) for investments in broadband infrastructure and adoption, the modernization and improvement of government services, economic development, and health and education. 

The four SPARK Advisory Panels -- Connectivity, Efficiency & Modernization, Health & Education, and Economic Revitalization -- met between January and April 2022 to review information and feedback from Kansans and prepare proposals for the most effective statewide distribution of federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to Kansas through ARPA. The Executive Committee reviewed the Advisory Panels’ proposals before making its recommendations. 

“Friday’s action has allowed us to better define the resources that will be available in these four important areas that impact all Kansans*,” *Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said*.* “Now that the high-level decisions are made about investments in each of the four areas, we look forward to finalizing the program details so these dollars can flow to Kansas communities quickly.” 

The Executive Committee recommended $374 million in investments across the four Advisory Panels. The recommendations include: 


* Connectivity - $35 million 
* Efficiency and Modernization - $100 million 
* Health and Education - $109 million 
* Economic Revitalization - $130 million 

Program details, including eligibility information and how to apply for funding, will be determined at a later date. Per the legislation that enacted the SPARK process, the Executive Committee’s recommendations must be approved by the State Finance Council before funding can be allocated and expended. 

The Office of Recovery newsletter will provide updates on these recommendations as the process moves forward. Please watch for future newsletters with more details on potential funding opportunities. 

For more information about ARPA, the SPARK Executive Committee, or the Office of Recovery, please visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ]. 

 

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COVID-19 Testing
COVID test

 

*Free COVID-19 Tests Now Available for All Kansas Communities* 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation’s public charity, RF Catalytic Capital, and Project Access to Covid Tests (Project ACT), is now offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to households in all Kansas communities. All Kansas households can visit AccessCovidTests.org [ [link removed] ] and enter their zip code to place an order for 5 at-home COVID-19 test kits. Amazon will deliver the test kits directly to your house. 

Frequent testing is especially important for those with more exposure outside the home, such as kids in school or people who spend time in a group setting. By visiting AccessCovidTests.org [ [link removed] ], Kansans will be able enter their zip code to order free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits. 

Kansans who need more support in ordering may call 866-534-3463 (866-KDHEINF). 

This opportunity is currently limited to one order per household. If you need additional testing, please visit KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com [ [link removed] ] to find a free testing site in your community. 

 

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Updates to Services and Support
Services and Support
*Treasury Releases SFRF Guidance for Affordable Housing * 

On August 10th, the US Treasury hosted a webinar on recently released State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) guidance for housing production and preservation. Treasury provided an overview of guidance, which increases flexibility to use SLFRF to fully finance long-term affordable housing loans and expands presumptively eligible affordable housing uses to further maximize the availability of SLFRF funds for affordable housing. Check out the Affordable Housing How to Guide [ [link removed] ] for more information on how to use these funds. 

You can also review the SLFRF Affordable Housing Production & Preservation Presentation [ [link removed] ] and the SLFRF Affordable Housing Production & Preservation Webinar. [ [link removed] ] 

 

*Tips to Ensure SAM.Gov Entity Validation*  

SAM.gov requires entity validation during the registration process to confirm an organization is unique and existing. Organizations utilizing ARPA funds must be registered with SAM.gov.    

If your organization is having issues validating, consider these options to reach resolution.  

*You will need to provide acceptable documents for entity validation. These documents include:*  


* Articles of Incorporation, must be stamped, as filed with an authority.   
* Department of Treasury IRS letter assigning entity’s EIN   
* IRS Forms marked as received by the IRS or processed by a CPA or e-filing software   
* Formal Resolution from town council establishing office "if" it contains the date that the entity began   
* Utility Bill with a physical address   
* Tax Return with legal name and physical address   
* Official Tax ID Documents   

*Additional Considerations *  


* Documents must show entity information "exactly" as it is entered into the “Enter Entity Information” screen on SAM.gov.   
* Be cautious of naming conventions (La Grange, LaGrange, City of LaGrange, LaGrange-Crossroads).   
* P.O. Box #’s are not permitted.   
* Review any messages received from SAM.gov for additional instructions unique to each entity.   
* Federal Service Desk help is available at www.fsd.gov [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]or by telephone at 866-606-8220 (toll free).   

*Helpful Links for Entity Validation Process*" "  


* GSA Federal Service Desk - Validating Your Entity [ [link removed] ]   
* GSA Federal Service Desk - What documentation do I need to validate my entity? [ [link removed] ]   
* GSA Federal Service Desk - Incorporation Date [ [link removed] ]   
* 7 Common Reasons Entity Validation Documents Get Rejected   [ [link removed] ] 
* How to Renew or Update an Entity [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]  
* Checking the Status of Your Entity Registration  [ [link removed] ]  

If you continue to have issues, you can reach out to the Office of Recovery using the CONTACT US link at covid.ks.gov.  [ [link removed] ]    

 






Contact the RO

The Office of Recovery is here to offer support and coordination.  Questions and inquiries may be submitted via the Contact Us [ [link removed] ] form. Please visit covid.ks.gov [ [link removed] ] for up-to-date information and resources on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for Kansas residents, businesses, and communities.

*Question/Request Form* [ [link removed] ]


*DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D.*

Secretary, Kansas Department of Administration

On behalf of the Office of Recovery,

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

*Join Our Mailing List* [ [link removed] ]







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