State Rep. Ben Frederick today said local medical facilities and other care providers are eligible to apply for grant funding to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and protect patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frederick, of Owosso, said the $25 million grant program was created by the Legislature using funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

“Our frontline health care workers have put themselves in harm’s way while working long hours to care for patients and keep our loved ones safe from COVID-19,” Frederick said. “We must make sure they continue to have access to the personal protective equipment they desperately need. This grant program will ensure providers can afford the PPE needed to protect health care workers, their families and patients from the further spread of coronavirus.”

The Michigan PPE Grant Program provides funds to eligible Michigan health and human services providers to cover costs for up to 90 days of PPE for frontline employees.

Eligible providers include long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, outpatient medical facilities, home health care providers, dental offices, pharmacies, EMS providers, funeral and mortuary services, long-term acute care hospitals, and residential congregate facilities, including child caring institutions and supervised independent living.

Grant awards of up to $250,000 will be made based on the number of client-facing workers at each facility.  

 Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Sept. 8. The application is available on the Michigan PPE Grant Program webpage: https://is.gd/COVID_PPEApplication.

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