Direct care workers who live – or work – in Camden County, New Jersey, are now eligible for a $1,000 grant in recognition of the important and challenging work they do, and did throughout the most challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bancroft was proud to join County Commissioners Ed McDonnell and Ginny Betteridge as they announced the program Tuesday at Bancroft’s Jacob Schaefer Center in Cherry Hill.
“Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of our organization,” said Clair Rohrer, Bancroft senior vice president for Adult Services in NJ.
“Throughout the pandemic, they showed up with commitment and compassion working long hours and providing services that enabled those we support to live their best lives in the most challenging of circumstances. They were there for those who needed them, sometimes at the expense of their own families and free time – and that is what makes this grant so special.”
Bancroft Program Associate Robyn Rowe was the first caregiver to register for the program.
“I want to thank the Camden County Commissioners for recognizing the field I work in, and all of the caregivers who have worked on the front lines of the pandemic taking care of the special population we serve,” Rowe said. “I am forever grateful for this grant I am receiving which will be a big help to me and my family during these difficult times.”
To qualify, the caregiver must:
- Live in Camden County or work in/provide services to a resident of Camden County.
- Provide evidence of at least 500 hours of hands-on healthcare and/or essential day-to-day support to one or more elderly persons or children and/or adults with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities and brain injuries from March 1, 2020, through March 7, 2022.
- Provide a verifiable Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
- Complete IRS Form W-9
“We are very grateful to the Camden County Board of Commissioners for recognizing our skilled and caring direct support professionals in such a powerful and generous way,” said Bancroft President & CEO Toni Pergolin. “These funds will provide necessary relief to those who have dedicated their professional lives to taking care of others.”
The Camden County Caregiver Grant program is funded by the Camden County Board of Commissioners, using $1.2 million in COVID relief funds through the American Rescue Plan.
Applications are now available online at www.camdencountycaregrant.com, or by calling (856) 389-6704 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Read more coverage of the announcement:
