American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as an effort to jumpstart the economy. Mississippi will receive approximately $2.8 billion of the stimulus money. For more information on ARRA go to www.recovery.gov or to learn more about the impact on Mississippi, visit the Governor’s website at www.stimulus.ms.gov.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has received funds to assist Mississippians with needs related to housing, employability, nutrition and child care. The following Divisions under the Department of Human Services have expanded existing programs as a result of ARRA:

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS):


Meals for Seniors: ARRA provides funds to assist Mississippians over the age of 60 with nutritious meals. A nutritious lunch is provided at a senior center or a congregate meal site which not only provides a meal, but also companionship and social interactions. A limited number of meals are available for qualifying seniors who are homebound. ARRA allocated $890,833.00 for these two programs. For more information review the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Area Agency of Aging in your location.

Senior Employment: Seniors looking to enter the job market may qualify to participate in the Employment Training Program for Seniors. This program helps low income seniors, ages 55 and older, an opportunity to learn new job skills to increase employability. For more information review the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Area Agency of Aging in your location.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: MDHS, Division of Aging and Adult Services, in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Health, the Mississippi Area Agencies on Aging, The Mississippi Division of Medicaid and Valley Services, Inc., will begin implementation of the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) and Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) in two designated communities.

The Mississippi CDSMP intervention will provide a six-week course called “ Motivated to Live a Better Life” and “Motivated to Live a Better Life with Diabetes” to an estimated 700 to 1,000 seniors sixty years or older who have at least one chronic disease. Participants will learn how to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives through participation in this highly interactive evidence-based program facilitated by trained community lay and professional people who have chronic disease themselves.

The anticipated outcomes of the CDSMP programs are participants improved self-management of their health through learning to set attainable goals, learning how to making daily tasks easier and working with their healthcare provider that lead to an enhanced health status, better healthcare system utilization, and improved self efficacy. Seniors who participate in the program should see improvement in their general health with trends toward fewer outpatient visits and hospitalizations resulting in a cost savings for them and the state.

Division of Economic Assistance:


Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP provides monthly benefits that help low income households buy the food they need for good health. Eligibility criteria, income and resource limits and benefit maximums per household size are set by federal laws and regulations governing the SNAP Program under USDA. A person who meets one of the following criteria may qualify for SNAP benefits:

• Work for low wages.
• Unemployed or work part-time.
• Receive TANF, SSI or other assistance payments.
• Elderly or disabled and live on a small income.

As a result of ARRA, those persons receiving SNAP benefits will see a 13.6% increase beginning in April 2009. To learn if you qualify contact your local county office or Applications are available online. Frequently Asked Questions are available for more information.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): is a Federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost. The food is provided to the Mississippi Food Network, which in turns distributes the food to local organizations such as soup kitchens and food pantries.
ARRA allocated $1,303,021 to the Division of Economic Assistance for the TEFAP program in 2009 and 2010. Frequently Asked Questions are available for more information.

Mississippi Steps

Division of Community Services:


Weatherization Program: Weatherization is the nation’s largest residential energy efficiency program. Home Weatherization reduces energy costs for low-income citizens by improving the efficiency of their homes.

ARRA allocated $49,421,193.00 to the Division of Community Services to expand the number of homes to be weatherized. It is expected that with this additional funding, approximately 5,400 families in Mississippi will have their homes weatherized as well as the creation of additional jobs throughout Mississippi. For more information contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services at 1-800-421-0762 or the Community Action Agency Weatherization Subgrantees in your location.

Additional Information on Weatherization:
Frequently Asked Questions on Weatherization
Contractor Information
ARRA Weatherization Pre-Application
ARRA Weatherization Program Referral Form
Weatherization Brochure

Community Service Block (CSBG): CSBG is a block grant used to provide a range of services or activities designed to ameliorate the causes and effects of poverty. Such activities include: attaining an adequate education, securing and retaining employment, making better use of available income, obtaining and maintaining adequate housing, health services, achievement of self-sufficiency, transportation, and so forth. ARRA allocated $15,904,460.00 to the Division of Community Services for these services. For more information contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services at 1-800-421-0762.

Office of Children and Youth:


Child Care Development Fund (CCDF): Mississippi received $30,983,386 in ARRA funds for CCDF child care certificates. This will assist eligible families pay for child care at any legally operating child care provider. This assistance allows parents to return to work, maintain employment, or complete an educational or training program. In addition, some CCDF has been designated for quality improvement in Infant and Toddler Programs. For more information review the Frequently Asked Questions or to apply for a Child Care Certificate, contact your local Planning and Development District.

Additional Information:
OCY Child Care Brochure

Additional Resources and Links:


MDHS ARRA Contacts

Report misuse of funds