RICHLAND COUNTY

RECOVERY PLAN

 

Interim Summary of the American Rescue Plan

August 2021

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

FUNDING FOR RICHLAND COUNTY
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

Richland County

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

General Overview ..........................................................................................................................2

Executive Summary .....................................................................................................................2

Uses of Funds...............................................................................................................................3

Community Engagement..............................................................................................................4

Labor Practices.............................................................................................................................4

Promoting Equitable Outcomes ...................................................................................................5

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ...............................................................................9

Use of Evidence .........................................................................................................................13

Project Inventory .........................................................................................................................13

Example Project ........................................................................................................................13

Additional Projects.....................................................................................................................15

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision .............................................................................N/A
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

In March of 2021, the United States Senate passed the American Rescue Plan. This 1.9 trillion 

dollar relief bill will allow for new programs and projects to aid in the recovery of ending a 

nationwide pandemic. Most notably, the American Rescue Plan provides $65 billion in direct aid 

to counties out of $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local and territorial governments to 

support the essential local government workers who have been on the front-line of the pandemic 

response.

Richland County is employed to develop a comprehensive plan to allocate funding received 

through the American Rescue Plan Act. The goal is to use funding in a manner that will respond 

to the most urgent needs of the community, enabling emergence from the public health crisis in a 

strong, stable position for its residents. This coronavirus stimulus package includes funding for a 

national COVID-19 vaccination program, food assistance, emergency childcare, small businesses, 

unemployment benefits, rental assistance, and public transit funding to help schools re-open safely.

Richland County will consider all allowable opportunities for the use of the $80,576,312 allotted. 

Programs considered would benefit citizens throughout the County to provide immediate and 

future opportunities to ensure mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In considering 

opportunities, the County seeks to respond with measures that are within the guidance of the 

provision of funding:

➢ To allocate resources for mental health, including suicide, burnout, special needs, 

substance abuse, etc.

➢ To assist with homelessness services and support.

➢ To address community behavioral health needs worsened by COVID-19.

➢ To evaluate the provision of broadband infrastructure throughout the County.

➢ To review the possibilities of assistance to nonprofits to address community impacts of 

the pandemic.

➢ To improve the availability of food and security for the community

➢ To improve Richland County infrastructure, which includes but are not limited to water, 

sewer, flood control, drainage, etc.

➢ To evaluate the replacement of public sector revenue loss and provide funding for those 

whose jobs were essential in responding to the public health emergency?

➢ To consider measures to reverse the negative impact of the pandemic on the small 

business community.

➢ To access and review the best method to assist equity-focus services in the 

disproportionately impacted areas of the county. 
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Uses of Funds

A. Public Health

Richland County continues to review different strategies and methods to deploy during the 

COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. Listed below are some of the various programs that 

the County is currently implementing without the use of American Rescue Funds. 

Public Health Event 1: 

Residents of the Lower Richland County community can get the COVID-19 vaccine and 

take advantage of other services at a one-stop-shop. This event is hosted by Richland 

County, Council Member District 10 (ten). The free event includes a mobile vaccination 

site run by Prisma Health, a book bag and book giveaway for children, and voter 

registration opportunities. In addition, staff from Richland County’s Office of Small 

Business Opportunity will be available to meet with business owners and potential business 

owners. Richland County’s Library staff will also be on hand to discuss the library’s 

programs. Residents can drop by the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at 

Hopkins Middle School, 1601 Clarkson Road, Hopkins. An appointment is not required to 

get the vaccine at the event. Richland County hopes residents will use the opportunity to 

help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Richland County.

Public Health Event 2: 

In April 2021, Richland County partnered with statewide elected officials to hold three 

vaccine clinics in Northeast Richland. Free COVID-19 vaccinations were offered to 

residents in Richland County Districts 7 (seven), 10 (ten), 2 (two) and 8 (eight). Residents 

ages 16 and older were eligible to receive the vaccine. The clinics ran from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

B. Negative Economic Impacts 

More than thirty million Americans have filed for unemployment since Mid-March of 2020. 

Richland County has and will continue to receive application from small business owners to assist 

in rendering aid. Richland County will also evaluate its economic impact and provide funding for 

program and projects that fit the guidelines of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). 

C. Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities

Richland County has approved more than $10 million in aid requests through its Rental Assistance 

program (RAP) to ensure citizens do not lose their place of residency. Richland County continues 

to access the housing situation in Richland County. Consideration to any and all other services to

disproportionately impacted communities will be review and assistance render if the guidelines of 

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) are met.
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

Community Engagement and Partnerships

a. Plan for Involving Targeted Community & Other Stakeholders; and Communicating 

Project Progress 

As the primary seat of local government, which is composed of smaller cities and townships, 

Richland County Council is experienced with the process of notifying and engaging the public 

in high-priority decisions which will have significant local impacts. In, addition, Richland 

County has a strong Economic Development and Grant Departments that are well-established 

with developing cooperative partnerships with numerous organizations and other state entities 

focused on revitalization.

Richland County is fully committed to developing all appropriate avenues to engage the 

community in the execution of this grant award. Community outreach and stakeholder 

involvement is essential to the success of this funding opportunity. Richland County is in 

partnership with community leaders and the Community Based Organizations to educate 

residents and stakeholders about the process of prioritizing and assessing potential 

programs/projects. Comments received will be reviewed as appropriate and incorporated into 

the decision-making process. In addition, Richland County has a Citizen Participation Plan that 

may be incorporated as an additional layer of community outreach. This plan focuses on 

creating timely and effective processes for on-going engagement.

Richland County has many partnerships with a variety of agencies and Community Based 

Organizations. These existing partnerships will be fostered and used along with a combination 

of the following approaches for community engagement:

➢ Factsheets/flyers for soliciting continued community engagement

➢ Open stakeholder meetings with municipal officials, interested members of the 

public, and organizations in a meeting location convenient to affected 

residents/organizations will be held upon reaching major milestones

➢ Open “Rescue Richland “to invite the public for education and observation of 

assessment activities in action 

➢ Local media (newspaper & TV) will be updated periodically with press releases and 

official notices

➢ Social media tools (e.g., Facebook)/Key websites will be kept up to date with the latest 

information

➢ A single point of contact within Richland County to ensure continuous engagement with 

the public

Richland County will consistently update information and disseminated it (in as many 

languages as needed) to impacted residents and Community Based Organizations in a timely 

manner to ensure the public is fully aware of the progress of the projects. In the process of 

establishing an open dialogue, environmental justice will be a key objective to provide 

improved lines of communication with harder-to-reach individuals. Richland County is 

sensitive to the fact that not all persons affected by this proposal have regular access to a 

computer, and as such, will make every attempt to not over-rely on web-based outreach efforts.

Richland County will: be sensitive to cultural differences & disabled individuals who want 
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

to participate in the execution of this project; proactively collaborate with residents, 

community leaders and Community Based Organizations to ensure we are appropriately 

responding to comments and information is being provided in a manner that is helpful to the 

public; and identify one point person, to handle all inquiries.

Labor Practices

At the current time Richland County has not started any infrastructure projects. The County is 

working with various departments to review if any projects would be an appropriate fit with the 

American Rescue Plan. If the County were to identify a project(s) it would require the Procurement 

Department, as an agent for purposes of entering into contracts for procurements of goods and 

services. Richland County Procurement staff are the only individuals authorized to initiate 

procurement and to sign purchase orders or contracts on behalf of the County. It is the 

responsibility of the Office of Procurement to assure the Administration and members of the 

County Council that purchases, and dispositions are made in a legal, ethical, and professional 

manner and that they are in compliance with the County Code and the other polices governing 

these actions (State, Federal). The Procurement staff will ensure, whenever possible that every 

contract entered into by the County for contractual services, whether awarded through seal bids or 

negotiations, shall be awarded on an equitable basis.

Promoting Equitable Outcomes

The County is considering the possibility of setting a more stringent standard with the labor 

practices in order ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. The County would 

consider apply the Davis Bacon Act and Related Acts to most or all projects that have labor 

practices. The Davis-Bacon Act (OBA) was enacted by Congress on March 3, 1931, to assure local 

workers a fair wage and to provide local contractors a fair opportunity to compete for local federal 

government contracts.

In general, the OBA, as amended, requires that each contract over $2,000 to which the United 

States or the District of Columbia is a party for the construction, alteration, and/or repair (including 

painting or decorating) of public buildings or public works shall contain a clause setting forth the 

minimum wages to be paid to various classifications of laborers and mechanics employed under 

the contract. {The Davis Bacon Act is incorporated under 23 U.S.C. 113 as a Davis-Bacon related 

act statute and is applicable to construction of Federal-aid highways funded with Federal-aid 

funding. See the discussion on Applicability to Federal-aid Highway projects, questions 7 and 8.)

Contractors and subcontractors are required to pay their laborers and mechanics employed directly 

upon the "site of the work" no less than the locally prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates for 

corresponding work on similar projects in the area "regardless of any contractual relationship 

which may be alleged to exist." The Department of Labor determines and sets the prevailing wage 

rates. The geographical scope of the OBA is limited, by its terms, to the 50 States and the District 

of Columbia. Richland County agrees to any and all other federal requirements including “Buy 
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

American” would be implemented with every projected developed or the use of American Rescue 

funds use. 

D. Premium Pay: 

Richland County Council is in agreement with providing premium/hazard pay to essential 

workers. The County acknowledges the value and the economic stability these workers provided 

even till today. A list is currently being developed to determine total number of essential workers 

that will receive premium pay. 

In addition, Richland County is considering creating a policy and program strategies that will 

enhance and engage historically underserved communities in prioritizing investments. This would 

include working with the Richland County Business office to determine how many minority 

businesses are in the incorporated and unincorporated areas. The method or incentive would be to 

encourage these minority businesses to create opportunities to develop their own business in their 

own communities. The positive aspect of this is empowering and enriching their own 

neighborhoods. The significant of expanding these types of businesses is that they are often in 

communities of low-moderate income families.

Finally, Richland County is also considering expand public services that deliver critical physical 

and care infrastructure to disadvantaged communities. Lower Richland County is one of the most 

rural parts of the county. It is also the highest part of the community of the under and unserved 

live. The ARP funds make it possible for to expand local water, sewer, and broadband to this 

community. The County is working with the State of South Carolina to address the total aspect of 

ensuring all citizen have access to broadband.

A. One potential perspective to address homelessness prevention services in Richland County, is 

to look outside the City of Columbia through housing consultation, intensive housing case 

management, and information and referrals. One potential objective in assisting with 

homelessness services and support is to activities that benefit all residents where at least 51 

percent of the residents are LMI persons. Richland County may also undertake surveys in areas 

using HUD approved survey instruments and methodology to determine the percentage of LMI 

in a service area to include the following:

• Benefit a clientele that is generally presumed to be LMI. This presumption covers abused 

children, battered spouses, elderly persons, severely disabled adults, homeless persons, 

illiterate adults, persons living with AIDS, and migrant farm workers; or 

• Require documentation on family size or income in order to show that at least 51% of the 

clientele are LMI; or 

• Have income eligibility requirements limiting the activity to LMI persons only; or 

• Be of such a nature and in such a location that it can be concluded that clients are 

primarily LMI. 
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Additionally, the County has reached out to several non-profit agencies and inquired about the 

effect COVID-19 has had on their agency and the client’s they serve. The County was not surprised 

at some of the information that was provided. Most if not all of the agencies serve LMI clients, 

residents of low-income neighborhoods, minorities, disconnected youth, the unemployed, 

formerly incarcerated people, veterans, and people with disabilities. It is the intent of this grant to 

provide $1,703,439 to these non-profits. Several of these agencies provide a multitude of nonduplicated services throughout the community which include shelter, counseling, education, health 

prevention services, etc. The list includes but not limited to: a senior center, HIV/AIDS service 

agency, homeless service center and a children’s program, a total list is included in this interim 

report. 

E. Water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure

Currently, Richland County has not started water, sewer or infrastructure projects. The County is 

working with various departments to review if any projects would be an appropriate fit with the 

American Rescue Plan. The County has identified the following projects that will meet the 

guidelines of The American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Pineview Industrial Park – Water Infrastructure upgrade - $7 million - $8.5 million

The Pineview Park is the home to Jushi Fiberglass, Miwon Specialty Chemicals, and most 

recently Mark Anthony Brewing (MAB). The Park is served with 48” and 36” sewer lines, 

a looped 16” waterline, and a Norfolk Southern Rail spur (currently under 

construction). The county owns 486 developable, prime industrial acres at the park and is 

in a position to win another large industry. However, there is one potential hurdle that 

could impact the county’s ability to win a large user – while there is an abundant source of 

water, with the volume of water needed to serve MAB, there are capacity limitations at the 

park. The solution is to construct a water tank to serve the park. Lead time on water tanks 

runs anywhere between 18 and 24 months, and in the Covid environment can be even 

longer. In the case of MAB, a 2-year wait would have forced the project to another 

location. The Economic Development office is working with the City of Columbia utilities 

department, the City’s engineering firm and Alliance Consulting Engineers to review the 

system, analyze future capacity needs and design a water system needed to serve the 

park. The city and our engineers recommend a 1.5 mgd tank and infrastructure to fully 

serve the park. Alliance is completing cost estimates for design and construction and 

detailed estimates will be available in the near future, but initial estimates place the project 

at between $7 and $8.5 million.

Blythewood Industrial Park – Road construction and improvements, water, and 

sewer extension - $6.2 million - $6.5 million

In 2019 the county purchased 1,349 acres of prime property in Blythewood to develop as 

a Class A business and industrial park. The Park has abundant infrastructure on the 

periphery and, as the economic development office works with partners to develop the 

interior of the park, it is time to begin to extend infrastructure into key areas within the 
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

park. In 2019 the county received grants, totaling $2.3 million, from two key partners –

SC Department of Commerce and SC Powerteam – to clear and grade a 360,000 SF 

building pad on one of the key interior parcels. The project is underway, and there is 

expected to be a cost savings if construction goes as planned. The funding partners have 

agreed that the county can use the leftover funds to extend infrastructure to the site. The 

areas identified are: creating an entrance road from Community Road, extend the SC Water 

Utilities sewer line from the south to the site and extend the City of Columbia waterline 

from the south to the site along the new road right of way. The ED office is working with 

its consulting engineers at Thomas and Hutton to complete cost estimates for the three 

projects, but initial estimates total $6.2 to $6.5 million.

Entrance Road

Traffic has been a main concern for the citizens of Blythewood and during the master 

planning for the park, the ED office worked closely with the engineers to identify areas 

where traffic can be directed to avoid additional strain on Blythewood Road. One solution 

is to make the primary entrance into the park off Community Road rather than Blythewood 

Road. This accomplishes three things - an entrance road off Community Road will; 1) 

provide visibility of the industrial park from I-77; 2) potentially alleviate traffic from 

Blythewood Road; and 3) provide access into the industrial park and graded pad while the 

Blythewood Road widening, and Locklier Road realignment projects are underway. The 

entrance road will be built to Class A standards – wide road with curb, gutter and sidewalks, 

landscaping and park signage. Additionally, the cost estimate includes turn lanes on 

Community Road. Initial cost estimates show the projects at approximately $4.3 million

Sewer Extension

SC Water Utilities has a force main south of the graded pad but no sewer extensions have 

been completed within the park. The proposed plan is to extend a gravity sewer line from 

the main to the south, through the park to the graded pad. The proposed routing will 

provide service to 7 parcels totaling approximately 192 developable acres. The initial cost 

estimate is approximately $1.2 million

Water Extension

The City of Columbia has a waterline to the south of the graded pad, but as with sewer, no 

extension have been completed within the park. The proposed plan is to extend a water 

line along Community Road and the new entrance road right of way to provide service to 

the 5 of the 7 parcels mentioned above. The initial cost estimate is approximately 

$700,000. Additionally, while the engineers are reviewing the water system with the City 

of Columbia, they will also review the need for an elevated water tank. It is proposed that, 

at a minimum, we identify a site and complete design and permitting for future tank 

installation.

F. Revenue Replacement

Richland County will partner with the Workforce Investment Program that focuses on adult and 

dislocated workers for employment and training activities. There primary role in these projects 

will be: 
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

• Distribution of program and marketing materials to inform and recruit program 

participants.

• Community & Individual Outreach to recruit program participants.

• Referrals for other related services necessary to enhance their employability and individual 

employment related needs. 

Its primary purpose is to promote jobs for its participants by providing quality and safety 

conscious laborers to other community partners, employment agencies or future commercial and 

industrial customers and encouraging economic development throughout the county.

Use of Evidence 

Richland County is committed to ensuring that any and all program monitoring and evaluations

will be conduct in accordance with the American Rescue Plan requirements and SLFRF funds are 

being allocated. Scientific Evidence-Based interventions are based on the conviction that 

a systematic documenting of a large number of high quality RCTs (Randomized with 

Concealment, Double blended, complete follow-up, intention to Treat analysis) gives the least 

biased estimate.

Agencies requesting funds will need to conduct process monitoring data including but not limited 

to: Individual Level interventions, (ILI) Group level interventions (GLI) and or Prevention Case 

Management (PCM). Additionally, interventions proposed should also be ensuring cultural 

competence. This will provide for better information and outcome data. It is important to 

understand there are different types of program performance assessments. Performance 

measurement is the ongoing monitoring and reporting of program accomplishments, particularly 

progress toward pre-established goals. It is typically conducted by program or agency 

management.

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination Not Applicable 

at this time

1.2 COVID-19 Testing Not Applicable 

at this time

1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing Not Applicable 

at this time

1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings (Nursing 

Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, 

Schools, etc.)

Not Applicable 

at this time

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment Not Applicable 

at this time
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1.6 Medical Expenses (including Alternative Care 

Facilities)

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes 

to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID19 public health emergency

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

1.8 Other COVID-19 Public Health Expenses 

(including Communications, Enforcement, 

Isolation/Quarantine)

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

1.9 Payroll Costs for Public Health, Safety, and 

Other Public Sector Staff Responding to 

COVID-19

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

1.10 Mental Health Services Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

1.11 Substance Use Services Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

1.12 Other Public Health Services Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid 

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.4 Household Assistance: Internet Access 

Programs

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.5 Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.6 Unemployment Benefits or Cash Assistance to 

Unemployed Workers

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.7 Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, Employment 

Supports or Incentives)

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds* Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General) Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

2.13 Other Economic Support Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2.14 Rehiring Public Sector Staff Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.2 Education Assistance: Aid to High-Poverty 

Districts

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and 

Mental Health Services 

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.5 Education Assistance: Other Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home Visiting Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.8 Healthy Childhood Environments: Services to 

Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System 

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.9. Healthy Childhood Environments: Other Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.10 Housing Support: Affordable Housing Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons 

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Health Workers or Benefits Navigators 

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.15 Social Determinants of Health: Lead 

Remediation

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

3.16 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Violence Interventions 

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

4 Expenditure Category: Premium Pay

4.1 Public Sector Employees Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

4.2 Private Sector: Grants to other employers Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.1 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater treatment Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.2 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater collection 

and conveyance

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.3 Clean Water: Decentralized wastewater Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.4 Clean Water: Combined sewer overflows Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.5 Clean Water: Other sewer infrastructure Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.7 Clean Water: Energy conservation Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.8 Clean Water: Water conservation Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.9 Clean Water: Nonpoint source Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.10 Drinking water: Treatment Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.11 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.12 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution: 

lead remediation

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.13 Drinking water: Source Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.14 Drinking water: Storage Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.15 Drinking water: Other water infrastructure Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

5.17 Broadband: Other projects Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

7.2 Evaluation and data analysis Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

7.3 Transfers to Other Units of Government Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00

7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

(States and Territories only)

Not Applicable 

at this time

0.00
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 13

Project Inventory 

At the current time Richland County has no project inventory. There may be a program in the 

next report that might require project inventory. 

Use of Evidence – Interventions/Example Project

Richland County has made a commitment to addressing mental health issues (including suicide, 

burnout, special needs, behavioral health, substance abuse, etc.) from a prevention and health 

promotion perspective. The example below is to demonstrate the type of prevention that a client 

may receive if attending one of our community partner’s interventions with measurable outcomes. 

• Mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety affect an individual’s ability to undertake 

health-promoting behaviors. Chronic diseases can have a profound impact on an 

individual’s mental health; in turn, mental health status affects an individual’s ability to 

participate in treatment and recovery. A group of mental health and public health 

professionals convened to develop a logic model for addressing mental health as it relates 

to chronic disease prevention and health promotion. The model provides details on inputs, 

activities, and desired outcomes, and the designers of the model welcome input from other 

mental health and public health practitioners.

• Many of the modifiable risk factors for chronic disease are behavioral, such as engaging in 

adequate physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and not using tobacco products. Mental 

illnesses such as depression or anxiety affect an individual’s ability to undertake these 

health-promoting behaviors. Chronic diseases such as diabetes or cancer can have a 

profound impact on an individual’s mental health; in turn, mental health status affects an 

individual’s ability to participate in treatment and recovery. The cycle does not end with 

the patient. Family members and caregivers of people with chronic diseases are also 

affected psychologically, and they, too, may neglect their own health.

• The intent of our logic model is to present the “big picture” in all its complexity. The model 

depicts the conceptual relationships between and among activities and outcomes, thus 

serving as a guide for discussions about what and how much to do. The logic model starts 

with inputs, or the resources needed to successfully undertake activities. If activities are 

successfully implemented, then a sequence of short-, mid-, and long-term outcomes will 

result.

InputsThe model’s key inputs include dedicated staff, funding, and infrastructure in the form of an 

organizational home. Another resource, technical assistance, indicates that expertise outside of the 

areas of mental health and chronic disease prevention and health promotion would be required to 

provide guidance.
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 14

ActivitiesActivities include surveillance, research, and programs. Surveillance is one of the underpinnings 

of public health. Creating operational definitions of mental health is an important step in mental 

health surveillance. These definitions need to acknowledge that mental health includes a broad 

spectrum of mental states ranging from optimal mental health to severe mental illness. Creating an 

operational construct for optimal mental health is not a trivial task, because although we may be 

able to agree on what constitutes mental illness based on conventional definitions, the question of 

whether people are performing at their peak mental health is quite another matter.

Strengthening surveillance for mental health status in multiple existing surveillance systems will 

improve our understanding of the interdependent relationships among mental health, risk factors, 

and physical health. It will also allow us to monitor trends across time and to make comparisons 

among different populations. It is important that surveillance be strategic and not duplicate 

activities others are performing.

Many federal agencies (HHR/CDC/SAMHSA) has already performing mental health surveillance 

and epidemiology. For example, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey 

includes questions on quality of life and binge drinking. 

Research on the relationship of mental health and chronic disease prevention and health promotion 

would benefit from a review of research gaps and the development of a research agenda to guide 

resource investment. Further research could build on intriguing findings from surveillance data 

and would ideally be geared toward identifying opportunities for programmatic activities to 

improve overall health.

Short-Term outcomes

The logic model included depicts an expectation that through enhanced surveillance, research, and 

programmatic activities in mental health, the public health community can generate understanding 

that good mental health is fundamental to maintaining good physical health. The model also 

indicates that the role of chronic disease prevention can be clarified and strengthened through 

partnerships.

Mid-Term Outcomes

We identify several systems-level interventions in the health care delivery system, communities, 

and individuals that could lead to better mental health. In primary prevention, the public health 

community ensures that optimal mental health promotion strategies are integrated into other 

health promotion strategies to achieve maximum synergy. In secondary prevention, the public 

health community implements strategies to mitigate the impact of poor mental health on physical 

health risk behaviors that may lead to additional chronic disease comorbidities.

Additional mid-term outcomes include the following:

• Treatment, referral, and self-management of mental and physical health issues become 

the norm rather than the exception in clinical encounters.
Richland County 2021 Interim Recovery Plan Performance Report 15

• Workplaces, schools, and other communities become healthier and more supportive.

• Individuals have a better understanding of the integral link between mental and physical 

health.

• People with mental health problems gain a greater sense of empowerment to undertake 

and sustain healthy behaviors.

Long Term Outcomes

Ultimately, we hope that a concentrated effort to integrate mental and physical health activities

will result in significant improvements in the health of the nation. We envision that individuals 

and communities will become more resilient — that is, better able to adapt to normal and extreme 

stressors. In targeting improved quality of life, we acknowledge that regardless of the life 

circumstances of individuals, quality of life should be independently targeted for intervention. In 

defining optimal physical and mental health as outcomes, we acknowledge that there is no health 

without mental health. And on a health care systems level, we expect that mental health, public 

health, and physical health care systems will be integrated at all levels to eliminate barriers to 

effective cooperation imposed by current systems.

Additional Projects- Currently Richland County is reviewing possible/potential projects.

.

Item

Amount

a. Revenue-reducing Covered Changes $12,080,011.00