THERE REMAINS
NEED A
by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads
W
In the last week of March, we held four vaccine clinics at Texas Motor Speedway, inviting more than 50,000 individuals to receive shots. By the first week in April, we began vaccinating individuals who registered on our Vaccine Interest Portal after Gov. Abbott opened access to the vaccine to all adults. In fact, Denton County opened its portal to all adults the very same day the state made the announcement. On March 26, we had a total of 447,825 individuals on our waitlist with only 51,842 remaining to be scheduled for appointments. We’ve been
e have come a long way this past year together in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - from the early days of grappling with the unknown to where we are today distributing COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults who want one.
Currently, our COVID-19 cases are
• 122,593 first doses and 51,799
hospitals are returning to handling
vaccine through an ongoing
dropping to September levels, our normal procedures, and our businesses are bustling.
However, we do know there remains a
need to help support our economy, non-
profits, residents, businesses, and more — as everyone has been affected by this year-long crisis.
With the $147 million CARES funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, we were able to provide:
• $38.9 million in more than 2,400
grants to Denton County businesses
• More than 35,000 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to feed the hungry
• 20,000 in turkeys, hams, and chickens to provide protein
• $6.5 million plus for rental assistance, helping 4,242 households with rent, mortgage, and utilities
• Providing millions of dollars to our communities to help them with COVID-19 costs
able to vaccinate individuals within weeks, if not sooner, after they sign up. We anticipate continuing vaccination clinics at Texas Motor Speedway for
second doses of the COVID-19
the next few weeks, continuing a 16-
efficient process
attention, even with the White House,
In the third week of March, we rolled out the Consolidated Appropriations Act
Emergency Rental Assistance program to
provide $23 million to assist families earning 50% to 80% average median incomes
with rent, utilities, and other ancillary costs. Through the CAA ERA program, landlords and tenants work together to apply for all
rent in arrears through March 2020 as well as a potential rent coverage up to three
months ahead if the need is demonstrated. This program will help our landlords and
property owners become whole and, in turn, our banking system as well. Of course, the
real effect is keeping people in their homes
lane process that has garnered national which requested footage of our process before setting up their federal drivethrough clinics across the country. We also worked with several partners, Denton County Transportation Authority, and Span Inc., to provide transportation for individuals who do not have access to a vehicle or need specialized assistance to get to the Texas Motor Speedway. Individuals can call 940-243-0077, and arrangements will be made either by riding a bus at one of two locations in Denton and Carrollton or through a SPAN bus or through a volunteer with our local
without a big rent bill hanging over
Rotary Clubs. Both have played a huge
their heads.
role in volunteering.
We are currently in talks about the American
In fact, we’ve had more than 4,400
for Denton County. As we plan, we’re talking
hours to help us with the vaccination
looking long-term to see where these funds
County comes together in times of
Rescue Plan and the $172 million earmarked
volunteers serve more than 26,400
with groups around the county as well as
clinics. That alone shows how Denton
can do the most good.
need to get things done.
CONNECT WITH US
If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. 940.349.2820 | andy.eads@dentoncounty.com | www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
APRIL 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILL | 25
