Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced multiple ways the state will be helping those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including announcing $10 million in grants during a live-stream of his Tuesday afternoon media briefing.
Lee said 100% of school districts will be closed by Friday following his urging Monday for school districts to do so. He said he knows the closures are putting a burden on parents and child care facilities and he announced that $10 million in grants will be used to help child care facilities through out Tennessee.
Lee also said Tennessee Assistance for Needy Families funding, which is at an all-time high for the state, will help those who may lose their job as a result of the pandemic. The state will also lessen TANF restrictions, which will allow a family of five, which has experienced a job loss, monetary assistance of up to $1,000.
The Tennessee Department of Labor is also working to help with the use of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, Lee said. The fund, which is also at an all-time high for the state, will allow those who have lost their jobs or have been quarantined to receive unemployment benefits.
Gov. Lee urged people to access to go to www.tn.gov/workforce, which he said is the quickest way to get help.
You can watch the media briefing in its entirety below.