HHS has announced the creation of the Office of Recovery Act Coordination to help ensure the timely and transparent distribution of an estimated $137 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds managed by HHS. Dennis Williams will lead the new office and serve as the HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Recovery Act Coordination. As of March 11, 2009, HHS has distributed $3 billion in ARRA funds to support a variety of policies and programs, including community health centers and state Medicaid programs. In a related development, NIH has announced the availability of $1.5 billion in ARRA grants to fund scientific research, construction and improvement of research facilities, and the purchase of scientific equipment.