The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic also threatens the financial security of millions, creating additional anxiety. For 68 Family Support Services (FSS) clients between the ages of 18 and 23, the pandemic’s financial aspects could add up to potential disaster.
The FSS Finance team worked out a way to alleviate some of the pressure. Each of the 68 clients participates in one of three FSS programs designed to support young adults:
- Extended foster care
- Postsecondary Education Services and Support (PESS)
- Aftercare
Despite differing eligibility guidelines for each of the programs, the team executed a plan to help the affected clients stay afloat. Through April 2020, each of the 68 clients received an additional $200 unrestricted stipend for 90 days; parents received a $300 unrestricted stipend for 90 days; and one young lady, who turned 23 in April, remained eligible for her PESS funding of $1,256, plus an additional $200 stipend for the next 90 days.
As the finance team showed, going the extra mile isn’t always about distance, but it’s always about caring.
