Wallingford Organization Awarded $300K In State Grants

WALLINGFORD, CT — The Spanish Community of Wallingford will receive a combined $300,000 in state grants over the next two fiscal years, State Rep. Mary Mushinsky (D-85) announced Wednesday.

Mushinsky said the Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW) will receive two Connecticut Department of Social Services Community Services grants to address the “abrupt reduction” in SCOW's state funding that occurred before the pandemic.

DSS will give the local agency $150,000 per year for the next two fiscal years, beginning July 1, 2023, according to a news release.

Mushinsky said she had met with SCOW director Adriana Rodriguez who explained anticipated grant support from DSS had stopped. The two then lobbied the Appropriations Committee.

"I'm grateful that the co-chairs of Appropriations, Sen. Cathy Osten and Rep. Toni Walker, listened to our advocacy and set aside designated funds in the state budget for SCOW, which has provided extensive public health and education services as well as job coaching for Wallingford and neighboring communities," Mushinsky said in a statement. "SCOW served the community on overtime duty during the tough times of the pandemic when we most needed them, and they deserve this state support."

The new state budget year starts July 1, 2023. SCOW can release the grants by completing contract documents with the CT Department of Social Services, according to the news release.