Keith Sappington, executive director, Missouri Assisted Living Association, says the state’s assisted living communities scored a victory recently when Gov. Mike Parson allocated $10 million out of ARPA funds specifically for them and related residential care businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The measure sailed through the state legislature before returning to the governor’s desk for his signature.
“This is a welcome relief for us,” Sappington said, noting that details on how the money will be allocated and accessed have to be worked out in the coming weeks.
Early on in the pandemic, skilled nursing received specific aid to compensate for COVID-related expenses, but not assisted living. Now, this new money will help correct the situation, he says.
Any money sent from the state to operators has to be related to the COVID fight, like for PPR, bonuses, overtime pay, cleaning supplies, etc. Such relief will be much appreciated by communities that have seen costs skyrocket in recent years amid a corresponding drop in census.
“The governor’s action and that of the legislature is definitely advantageous for our recovery. And, I do think the census is picking back up. The real issue is we need to get staffing up. Staffing is a problem,” Sappington says.
