PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey and Boys & Girls Clubs Arizona Alliance today announced emergency operational funding to support youth impacted by COVID-19 school closures. The partnership will enable state funding to compensate Boys & Girls Clubs to provide expanded services to Arizona families, while encouraging and leveraging private donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.
“Our top priority is protecting public health and safety,” said Governor Ducey. “Today we announced a two week closure of Arizona schools, and our office will be working closely with partners in the non-profit, faith-based and education communities—such as the Boys & Girls Club—to make available childcare options and assistance to families who need it. My sincere thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs Arizona Alliance and everyone working to protect public health and support each other at this time. We will continue to work together—the government, non-profits and the private sector—to do all we can to keep kids and families safe and healthy.”
“Our Clubs provide services to kids and families across Arizona in nearly 40 urban, rural, military and Native American communities,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs Arizona Alliance. “With this partnership in place, we are stepping up to provide greater assistance to critical workers like those in health care, public safety and other essential functions, and families in need. We are continuing to raise funds from individuals, corporations and the philanthropic community to support our extended operations. We appreciate the partnership with the Governor’s Office and State of Arizona, and our dedicated staff members stand ready to assist during this critical time.”
With this partnership in place, the Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona will extend youth development program hours to accommodate current youth members and children of health care workers, public safety and those from other essential industries impacted by school closures.
Immediate service availability will be given to the health care, public safety, and other essential workers in the communities of:
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- Metro Phoenix,
- West Valley,
- East Valley, and
- Scottsdale
Statewide Clubhouse operations may vary, based upon capacity and community demand. A list of Clubhouse locations providing extended services will be made available via www.bgcmp.org.
The following service delivery priorities are in place for:
- Working families needing childcare.
- Priority given to healthcare employees, public safety and essential service workers.
Boys & Girls Clubs Arizona Alliance will monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and continue to coordinate closely with the Arizona Department of Health Services for health advisories, recommended public and private assembly restrictions and community closures, and deploy best practices in youth facilities.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Boys & Girls Club Arizona Alliance and the State of Arizona goes into effect tomorrow, Monday, March 16 through May 1, 2020.
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