Dismantling the Invisible Wall: Breaking down barriers to pandemic relief
This article details California's Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) program, which provided $500 in cash aid to undocumented adults affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the state, community-based organizations (CBOs), and Code for America to distribute $75 million to 150,000 individuals.
In response to the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from federal COVID-19 relief efforts, California launched the DRAI program to offer financial assistance to those adversely impacted by the pandemic.
The California Department of Social Services partnered with 12 CBOs and collaborated with Code for America to develop a digital portal facilitating the application and distribution process. Despite initial challenges, such as overwhelming demand crashing phone systems, the program successfully disbursed all funds through adaptive strategies like drive-through debit card pickups and real-time system improvements. The initiative underscores the importance of inclusive policies and the role of technology in delivering critical aid to marginalized communities.
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