Abstract
This paper presents research conducted by the Arlington County Department of Human Services to understand the use of safety net services during the pandemic, identify disparities, and reduce or eliminate them. Arlington County's levels of health and economic wellbeing are generally high; however, residents of color experience significant disparities compared with White residents, with lower median incomes, lower rates of college completion, lower life expectancies, and higher rates of chronic illness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these disparities were amplified as Black and Latinx residents experienced disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as disproportionately high rates of job loss. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Arlington County mounted an interdisciplinary response to stabilize community needs, including food security, eviction prevention, isolation housing, behavioral health stabilization, and digital equity. This integrated approach was especially important during the pandemic, as the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic disproportionately impacted health and economic wellbeing among Arlington's Black and Latinx residents, low-income residents, and vulnerable communities.
Highlights
Arlington County, Virginia, is an urban community located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC
Residents of color experience significant disparities compared with White residents, with lower median incomes, lower levels of educational attainment, lower life expectancies, and higher rates of chronic illness
Participation rates increased across all demographics, especially in Black communities where the percentage of potentially eligible residents participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increased from 48% in September 2019 to 62% in September 2020.36 These results suggest that Virginia’s policy changes have been effective in increasing SNAP participation and reducing food insecurity in communities who were hit the hardest
Summary
Arlington County, Virginia, is an urban community located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Arlington’s home-delivered meals program for seniors saw year-over-year increases of up to 136% in the total number of clients served each month between March and September 2020.16 The program adjusted its services rapidly to meet the increase in demand by recruiting new volunteers, nonprofit partners, and staff to deliver meals; setting up direct delivery of meals to affordable-housing communities; using CARES Act funding[37] to provide meals at no cost to vulnerable older adults in targeted communities; and recruiting volunteers for a friendly caller program to provide social contact and wellness checks to vulnerable adults These efforts resulted in increased enrollment across all racial and ethnic groups, among Latinx, Asian, and Black clients.[16]. While this program has not yet met its goal of serving all families with students who receive free and reduced meals, it has been a key resource to previously unconnected families during the pandemic
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