South Central Community Action Program energy auditor Jason Hickman checks the energy efficiency of a furnace in a home east of Bloomington. Hickman’s job is being funded by part of the $899,000 in weatherization stimulus funding that SCCAP will be receiving. His position is one of four full-time jobs and one part-time job that will be added to the weatherization program as a result of the stimulus package. Jeremy Hogan | Herald-Times
South Central Community Action Program energy auditor Jason Hickman checks the energy efficiency of a furnace in a home east of Bloomington. Hickman’s job is being funded by part of the $899,000 in weatherization stimulus funding that SCCAP will be receiving. His position is one of four full-time jobs and one part-time job that will be added to the weatherization program as a result of the stimulus package. Jeremy Hogan | Herald-Times

By Kate Koselke, Herald-Times

kkoselke@heraldt.com

Federal stimulus dollars already are at work in Monroe County, and they're protecting our kids at play.

The soft rubber mulch that now blankets the playgrounds of Bloomington's Head Start program not only protects Head Start preschoolers, it helps meet two goals set out in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - its purchase has pumped cash into the economy and it is a green recycling project, turning trash - discarded tires - into "treasure."

The 28 tons of rubber mulch that was laid down just two weeks ago cost the Head Start program $10,556, money from a $122,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the South Central Community Action Program, which operates Head Start. The grant is a tiny part of the $4.6 billion in stimulus funding that is expected to flow into the Hoosier State over the next few months.

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