Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 8, 2021 Mass. 1st in nation to get OK for federal Pandemic-EBT funds extension for local families Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus families will receive additional help against food insecurity By Steve Freker T here was some good news this week for thousands of Massachusetts families, including many of those in Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus struggling with the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Many local families with school-aged children will be among the first in the nation to receive extra financial assistance to combat food insecurity. State officials have announced that federal funding has been approved to continue the Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program through the end of the 2020-21 school year. In Malden, Everett and Revere, for instance, all families who have public school students in their households are eligible for P-EBT funds for the 2020-21 school year to help buy food. The funds that will be dispensed through the state-run program, using federal funds, are restricted to food purchases. Saugus families should check with local officials regarding P-EBT funds eligibility. The primary determining factor is if students are attending schools who benefit from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP). How much will families receive? Families of students in a fully remote learning situation will get $117.20 per month. Students in a hybrid learning situation will get $58.60 per month. Students attending school either half-day or fully in person are not eligible for P-EBT. Massachusetts received federal approval to issue P-EBT through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. The Bay State is the first in the nation to receive approval for the federal dollars. “COVID-19 has exacerbated food insecurity, especially for children who receive nutrition support in school settings. This remains a significant challenge for many families throughout the Commonwealth,” Secretary of Health and Human Services and COVID-19 Command Center Director Marylou Sudders said in a statement. “Massachusetts continues to maximize every opportunity to tackle food insecurity across the state. The rapid approval of our plan to issue P-EBT through the end of the school year will provide relief to hundreds of thousands of families across the state for many months as we continue to navigate this public health crisis.” P-EBT is a relief program created out of the CARES Act for families whose children qualify for free and reduced lunch. The program was launched in Massachusetts in April to help low-income families across the state cover the cost of missed school meals while their children learn remotely. It was extended in September to support students starting the school year remotely. In Massachusetts, about half of all families – more than 500,000 students – qualify for free or reduced-priced breakfast and lunch. T Parents and guardians who already receive benefits will get their P-EBT funds on their existing EBT card. Families who do not receive benefits from the Department of Transitional Assistance, but received a P-EBT card this year, will get their P-EBT funds on their existing P-EBT card. Newly eligible students will receive their P-EBT funds on their existing card if their families already receive benefits, or the students will be mailed a P-EBT card if they do not. Families who lost their P-EBT card can request a new one. Going forward, the benefit will be given to families monthly through the end of the 20202021 school year using $40-$60 million in federal funds each month. Altogether, more than $253 million in federal dollars have gone to supporting Massachusetts families through the nutritional assistance program. P-EBT can be used anywhere Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are accepted, including online from Amazon and Walmart. Many families eligible for P-EBT may also be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are encouraged to apply. In addition to P-EBT, all local communities are offered free “grab and go” in connection with local public schools. The Malden Public Schools Parent Information Center 781-397-7271 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENT 2021 -2022 The Malden Public Schools will begin the 2021-2022 Kindergarten Registration process March 1. During the last week of February 2021, the Parent Information Center plans to mail Kindergarten Registration Applications to families with children born between September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2016. If you are not sure your child’s name is on our kindergarten mailing list, please call the Parent Information Center to confirm. All forms must be filled out completely and submitted along with a copy of the child’s birth certificate, 3 proofs of Malden residency, the child’s immunization record, a current physical and a copy of the parent/guardian’s photo ID. All completed forms can be returned to the Parent Information Center in the envelope provided in the application packet or call to schedule an appointment. No registration will be processed without ALL required documents. Please call the Parent Information Center at 781-397-7271 if you have any questions. January 8, 2021 It is Said in Malden By Steve Freker hat Malden Health Director Chris Webb revealed Wednesday night at a COVID-19 update hosted by Mayor Gary Christenson that Malden will be using the Moderna version of the vaccine, which he said is easier to use than the Pfizer brand, since the shelf life is a lot longer and it is not subject to the -94 degrees storage temperature. **** That longtime Ward 7 City Councillor Neal Anderson was "back in the saddle" as Council President for Tuesday night's meeting and noted that he now votes last, while wielding the gavel, as opposed to voting first (since he is alphabetically enhanced with his last name) for the past six years. **** That Councilor Anderson and outgoing Council President Jadeane Sica (Ward 8) are the only two Councillors in city history to have served two consecutive years as President. **** That the Malden School Committee will meet virtually at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11 where it will be shown livestream on the MATV.org/YouTube. **** That the "countdown" is on when Malden Access Television (MATV) officially changes its name to "Urban Media Arts-UMA" moving forward. **** That Councilor at Large Steve Winslow told his colleagues at Tuesday's virtual meeting that an important Affordable Housing Trust Fund meeting is scheduled next week on Thursday, January 14 at 6:15 p.m., where the 2021 Action Plan will be discussed. **** That Janelle DeVits was elected chairperson of the Malden Cannabis Control Committee at Tuesday night's meeting for 2021. Malden Democrats announce upcoming meeting schedule T he next meeting of the Malden Democratic City Committee (MDCC) will take place on Saturday, January 9, from 10-11:30 a.m. online via Zoom. These monthly meetings enable residents to connect with fellow Democrats, discover volunteer opportunities and learn about issues and candidates – locally, statewide and beyond. MDCC meetings are open to the public, with Democrats and prospective Democrats especially welcome. To learn more and obtain instructions for accessing the meetings, email maldendemocrats@gmail.com. Also, save the date for future meetings this year, held on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom: February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 5. As the local arm of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, MDCC works to elect Democrats and advance the Democratic Party platform. If you are interested in joining the Committee, please contact your Ward Chair for details. (All Ward Chair contact information is listed on massdems.org.) To learn more about activities of Malden Democrats, email maldendemocrats@gmail.com, sign up to receive email updates at www.maldendemocrats.org and follow the group on Facebook at http://www.facebook. com/groups/MaldenDems and Twitter (@MaldenDems). Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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