Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. House today gave final approval to the 2010 Appropriation bill funding the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, Health & Human Services and other related federal agencies. 

The Department of Health & Human Services Administration on Aging (AOA) section of the legislation contains $400,000 requested by Rep. Neil Abercrombie targeted to Catholic Charities Hawaii in Honolulu.  The organization will design an independent living demonstration project that addresses the need for a trained workforce to provide in-home, non-medical services to help senior citizens live independently.

“This comes at a critical time as senior centers are losing funding and need to be able to explore alternative means of sustaining, refining and adding needed services,” said Jerry Rauckhorst, Catholic Charities Hawai`i President & Chief Executive Officer.  “This project will help Oahu senior centers build a wellness network to sustain and serve elders who want to remain active and independent.”

Rep. Abercrombie also included $200,000 in the legislation to expand the Lifelines Hawaii suicide prevention program administered by the Coalition for Drug Free Hawaii, and $100,000 for the Gregory House’s case management system for people with AIDS.

The Appropriations bill also contains $47-million in funding for Native Hawaiian Health Care primary care and disease prevention services and education requested by Abercrombie and Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, and $12 million for vocational education for Native Hawaiian and Alaska Natives. 
 
Hawaii will also share in nearly $76 million in funding for national education projects, including the Center for Civic Education, Reading Is Fundamental, Teach For America and Reach Out and Read.

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