Pandemic Relief Experiences: A Focus on Six Communities

The PRAC along with 10 of our member Offices of Inspectors General conducted this second phase of our review in order to provide insights on the experiences of the two cities, two rural counties, and two Tribal reservations that, during the first part of our review, received a combined $2.65 billion in pandemic relief funding across 89 pandemic programs and subprograms. We found that the six communities shared similar experiences even though their populations, demographics, locations, and contexts were unique. Specifically, we identified four themes which provide valuable insights to policymakers, program officials, and the American public regarding the federal government’s COVID-19 response and how to prepare for the next major emergency. These themes focus on Program Administration and Guidance, Knowing Your Community, Pre-Existing Challenges, and Sustaining Lives and Recovering from the Pandemic.