The Berks County Board of Commissioners has extended its online Community Needs Assessment to give local businesses and organizations more time to participate. The assessment is designed to help identity and collect information about the unmet financial needs of community organizations from COVID-19 and assist with the distribution of Berks County’s $38 million of CARES Act funding.
Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt said the assessment will now remain open until July 31. Commissioner Barnhardt noted that roughly 75 organizations have completed the assessment so far. The Commissioners want to have a thorough understanding of the critical needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as they begin to determine how to make the most of the CARES Act funding, which the county received July 13. Commissioner Barnhardt said the county expects to start dispensing the funds the first week of August. The county has also hired Witt O’Brien’s to assist in sourcing grant monies and find additional CARES Act funding sources for community partners. The assessment is available on the county’s website and includes a tutorial video from Commissioner Barnhardt and Chief Information Officer Justin Loose. The process requires specific financial information, so it is advised that responders first print a copy of the assessment before attempting to complete the online form.
The assessment can be accessed at https://communityneeds.countyofberks.com/results/main_page.aspx. Any questions about the assessment should be forwarded to [email protected].
