California Employees And Community Groups To Receive Help Amid COVID Surge

Cal OES Awards $47 Million to Help Nonprofit and Faith-Based Organizations Enhance Security and Safety

SACRAMENTO — Strengthening efforts to protect Californians from hate-motivated violence, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services or Cal OES today announced the award of $47.5 million to 290 community groups across the state.

The funding, which was proposed by the Governor and approved by the legislature in the 2021-22 state budget, provides grants for physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs or mission.

Administered by Cal OES, the funding is through the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides funding for physical security enhancements and other security related activities. Possible upgrades include reinforced doors, gates, shatter-proof glass and window film, security personnel, access control systems and more.

Funds are awarded through a competitive grant process for which organizations, particularly those targeted on the basis of race, religious affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status or similar criteria may apply.

The $47.5 million awarded today follows the $15 million awarded under the same nonprofit security grant program in 2019.

For a complete breakdown of the distribution of funds awarded today, click here

Framework Announced to Extend Supplemental Paid Sick Leave to Californians Amid COVID Surge

SACRAMENTO — Amid the national surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon Jan. 25, reached an agreement on a framework to ensure employees continue to have access to COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave through Sept. 30, 2022:

“California’s ability to take early budget action will protect workers and provide real relief to businesses reeling from this latest surge. By extending sick leave to frontline workers with COVID and providing support for California businesses, we can help protect the health of our workforce, while also ensuring that businesses and our economy are able to thrive.”

Early budget actions will also include restoring business tax credits, including research and development credits and net operating losses, that were limited during the COVID-19 Recession; tax relief for recipients of federal relief grants for restaurants and shuttered venues; and additional funding for the Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program. The framework includes significant funding to bolster testing capacity, accelerate vaccination and booster efforts, support frontline workers, strengthen the health care system, and battle misinformation.