Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro announced that the House Committee on Appropriations will be accepting Community Project Funding (CPF) requests from Members for Fiscal Year 2023. This is in addition to the standard programmatic and language-based requests. Each Member is limited to no more than 15 Community Project Funding requests across all subcommittees for Fiscal Year 2023 and there is no guarantee that all requested projects will be funded. More information can be found here.
Transparency:
All CPF requests submitted to the Appropriations Committee by Congressman Connolly will be posted below. Members will be required to certify that neither they nor their immediate family have a financial interest in the CPF requests made.
Projects:
Project: Behavioral Health Care Provider Incentive Program
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $2,000,000
Background: This program will provide eligible students and behavioral health care providers with financial assistance for education. Recipients must agree to employment in a provider position for a minimum of three years at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). This program will allow for a variety of behavioral health and developmental disability students and practitioners to receive financial assistance for education from Fairfax County in exchange for providing service to the CSB. This program will help to address the unprecedented workforce issues being faced by the CSB and would be targeted towards hard-to-fill positions that require either certificates or Associate Degrees, including positions such as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). There are more than 200 vacant positions at the CSB and not enough qualified candidates to meet the current workforce needs.
Project: Saving Lives and Decreasing Health Disparities
Recipient: George Mason University
Amount: $943,983
Background: Accurate assessment and identification of youth mental health difficulties is essential for reducing mental health problems. Without proper assessment, mental health conditions can be misdiagnosed or even overlooked, leading to increased suffering, a need for longer and more intensive treatments, increased emergency services and hospitalizations, and even the loss of life to suicide. This project will (a) train clinicians working with Community Service Boards in Northern Virginia who serve diverse low-income youth and families, and their clinical supervisors, using low to no-cost culturally sensitive evidence-based assessments that can be readily employed in community mental health settings; and (b) help administrators effectively implement use of these assessments across their organizations so that all clients may benefit from their use. The project’s focus on culturally sensitive assessments will also contribute to decreases in disparities in access to high quality behavioral healthcare for diverse and lowest income youth and families.
Project: Prince William County (PWC) Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center (CRSC)
Recipient: Prince William County Government
Amount: $2,000,000
Background: For someone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, the main place to go for an individual to go 24/7 to get assistance has typically been the emergency department of a hospital. Individuals meeting criteria for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization have frequently had to wait an extensive period for a bed to become available and in Prince William County, many must go outside of the region to find a bed. The Treatment Advocacy Center, a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to advocacy of timely and efficient treatment of the serious mentally ill, recommends a minimum of 50 inpatient psychiatric beds for 100K population. Northern Virginia has approximately 21 inpatient psychiatric beds per 100K population, which includes private psychiatric hospital providers. In FY 2020, our region had 855 individuals that had to be placed outside of our region because there were no available inpatient psychiatric beds. This project would help establish a Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center (CRSC) in Prince William County that will provide 23-hour crisis observation and short-term crisis residential services for up to 32 Adults (16, 23-hour observation and 16, crisis stabilization unit (CSU) beds) and up to 16 youth (8, 23-hour observation and 8, CSU beds). Phase 1 will provide 8, 23-hour observation and 8 short-term CSU beds for adults. Full adult and youth services will be added as ongoing funding is identified. This will be a regional facility for Prince William, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun. The CRSC will provide behavioral health crisis and detox services to stabilize individuals under the Crisis Now Model and connect them to ongoing community treatment services. Establishing a Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center within Prince William County would provide immediate crisis response and treatment for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, decrease the number of individuals needing inpatient psychiatric beds, reduce the time spend by law enforcement providing custody and connect individuals to community supports for ongoing treatment needs once the crisis has been addressed.
Project: Increasing the Number and Diversity of Nursing Graduates and Equipping them for Success
Recipient: Northern Virginia Community College
Amount: $2,757,969
Background: This project would provide Northern Virginia Community College’s Medical Education Campus (MEC) with $2,757,969.00, to expand the growth of Nursing with the goal of increasing the number of registered nurses (RNs) entering the workforce annually, and to acquire computerized manikins and other technology to support or supplement required clinical training for nursing, respiratory therapy, and EMS students. This project would immediately increase the capacity of the nursing program and could yield an additional 50 graduates annually to the region’s healthcare workforce. Therefore, helping to decrease the region’s growing nursing shortage, which was exacerbated by the pandemic and turnover rates that have grown from 15 percent to 27 percent. This project would help close the racial and ethnic diversity gap that exists in the healthcare workforce by graduating more persons of color from the License Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing program. According to labor force statistics woman of color are disproportionately represented in LPN jobs compared to RNs and healthcare occupations in general (2x) and the labor force overall (5-6x). Finally, this project will help ensure the graduation of highly competent healthcare providers by securing the best learning resources for use during their training.
Project: Expansion of the Fairfax County Early Childhood Development and Learning Program
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $1,523,717
Background: This project would expand the Early Childhood Development and Learning Program (ECDLP) by providing access to early childhood education services for approximately 72 additional young children, ages birth to five years, in early childhood programs located in community-based settings (the number of children is dependent upon the care level – infant, toddler and preschool). In addition, the requested funding would be used to hire two additional staff positions, who would determine eligibility, process enrollment, and provide case management for participating families. Access to affordable, quality early childhood programs is a key strategy for supporting parents who are struggling to engage in the economy and take part in the workforce. This program helps address current labor shortages across most employment sectors. In addition, the program prepares young children for school and future workforce success, which provides long-term positive outcomes for Fairfax County and Virginia.
Project: Investing in our Youth: Career Readiness and Job Training
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $2,138,315
Background: This funding will enable Fairfax County, through the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), to create neighborhood job and entrepreneurship technology and research centers for teens and young adults at the County’s community centers, teen centers, and Neighborhood Initiative Sites. These centers would provide teens and young adults with career readiness skills, job training, and leadership programs. The project will provide career exploration, job skill training, professional certifications, and access to an increased range of technology and non-traditional careers and in-demand programs, as well as training programs to underserved communities in Fairfax County that have been affected by generational poverty exacerbated by the pandemic. In partnership with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDRDC), the County will provide enhanced workforce development services to youth who have been mandated by the courts to pay restitution, generally for offenses such as shoplifting and destruction of property. Often, these youth have never been employed and do not have the skills needed to make themselves employable. Without these skills, they remain unemployed and unable to earn income and then default on their judgements. Consequently, their time involved with the juvenile justice system is extended, often with additional judgements filed against them. This program will also strategically integrate social innovation programs that support inclusive prosperity for youth through economic mobility strategies, leadership, civic engagement, mental health, and mentoring, with the goal of interrupting the cycle of generational poverty by prioritizing economic mobility and inclusive prosperity for all. This program will focus on a youth continuum of services that increases their ability to create equitable pathways to thrive and be successful. Life circumstances, such as where someone lives or their household income level, can disrupt or limit youths’ ability to explore and pursue different careers.
Project: Securing the Nation’s Cyberinfrastructure
Recipient: George Mason University
Amount: $1,750,000
Background: The funding would help establish a first-in-the-nation Center of Excellence in Government Cybersecurity Risk Management and Resilience. The Center will directly support and advance cybersecurity leadership and governance across the U.S. federal government by developing and providing career-long cybersecurity and IT modernization learning opportunities for federal government IT and cyber executives and middle managers; acting as a strategic partner in federal government cybersecurity and IT modernization efforts; translating state-of-the-art research on technology modernization and cybersecurity into federal government practice; collating and disseminating best practices on federal government agency cybersecurity; and fostering U.S. government cybersecurity organizational capacity. Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing, School of Business, and Institute of Digital InnovAtion (IDIA) will develop and operate the Center of Excellence. The Center’s objective will be to support federal government cybersecurity efforts by strengthening and fostering current best practices in IT and cybersecurity leadership and governance. These activities leverage Mason’s leadership of the Northern Virginia Regional Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and a rich cyber infrastructure at Mason’s IDIA that integrates transdisciplinary centers and living labs with broad and deep interdisciplinary expertise across all facets of cybersecurity research, governance, policy, and education.
Project: Renovations/Improvements to the Little River Glen Senior Center
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $1,500,000
Background: The Little River Glen Senior Center provides recreational activities for adults ages 50 and over. The programs and activities are as diverse as the needs and interests of the community they serve. Meals and transportation options are provided as well as access and referrals to both government and community-based resources for residents in need. The Little River Glen Senior Center is heavily used by the adjacent senior affordable housing and surrounding community. This project would fund hard construction costs to assist with renovations and to replace and improve outdated systems. The project would update the space to meet the current needs of the senior community. Senior centers are one of the most important resources for our aging community. They are more than just a space for seniors to meet. Senior centers promote healthy aging by helping seniors stay active and independent and serve as a meeting center for older adults.
Project: Homeless Navigation Center – Eastern Prince William County
Recipient: Prince William County Government
Amount: $2,000,000
Background: This project will help establish a Homeless Navigation Center in eastern Prince William County, which will provide overnight, temporary, emergency sheltering and wrap-around services for up to 50 adults experiencing homelessness. Providing drop-in opportunities, emergency shelter, meals, showers, laundry facilities, educational opportunities, hypothermia sheltering, case management, behavioral therapy, job training, medical assessments and other support needed on an individualized basis can make the difference between persistent homelessness and moving to permanent housing and ultimately, self-sufficiency. Access to Rapid Re-Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing and Long-Term Care will be made available, as will access to public benefits. A homeless drop-in center will also be part of the programming. The new 30,000 square-foot facility will provide for increased cooperation and coordination between community partners to address individuals’ needs. This center will be a critical resource in our community’s effort to end homelessness.
Project: The Lamb Center Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative
Recipient: City of Fairfax
Amount: $1,900,000
Background: The Lamb Center (TLC) Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative will be unique to the central Fairfax County and Fairfax City region. Fairfax City will work with TLC to build a facility that includes 54 efficiency-style living units within one block of the current TLC day shelter. Residents will receive on-site case management and other wrap-around support. Case managers will help each tenant formulate and achieve individual goals such as securing veterans benefits, earning income from work, improving physical and mental health conditions, and maintaining housing. Case managers will also provide skills training to improve individuals’ abilities to budget, manage medication, maintain employment, and develop positive social supports. Because the new facility will be in close proximity to The Lamb Center day shelter, current services will be leveraged with additional services at the new housing facility. More than 1,000 people experience homelessness every day in Fairfax County and Fairfax City. Over 60,000 people in Fairfax County and Fairfax City live below the poverty level, and more than 10,000 people per year need emergency housing assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless. Individuals in our community rely on The Lamb Center for the support they need to get back on their feet and this new center will be a critical resource for helping more people who could not otherwise find stable housing.
Project: Envision Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit
Recipient: Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
Amount: $2,000,000
Background: This project will help complete all planning and environmental studies necessary to start design and construction of the Envision Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit, a project that will connect the diverse communities along the VA Route 7 corridor with high-quality, frequent transit service from Alexandria to Tysons, Virginia. Route 7 is already the second busiest bus transit corridor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This BRT project will provide a reliable, affordable transportation option for communities along this corridor; provide a green transportation option that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help in the battle against climate change; reduce congestion along a key transportation corridor in Northern Virginia that is benefitting from significant economic development and investment; leverage a range of Commonwealth, regional, and local transportation funds; connect major employment centers (U.S. Department of Defense Mark Center, Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, West Falls Church and Tysons); and further enhance a robust and growing transit system in Northern Virginia.
Project: Sunrise Valley Cycle Track Innovation to Herndon
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $4,000,000
Background: The project would complete several bicycle and pedestrian improvements to increase mobility and enhance accessibility to the Metrorail Silver Line stations. This includes creating protected intersections and reconstructing Sunrise Valley Drive from Innovation Station to the Fairfax County Parkway to provide a cycle track. The project will substantially improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians within Herndon and Reston, a growing center of economic activity projected to provide approximately 220,000 jobs in the Reston Transit Station Area by 2050. Further, those living in, working in, and visiting the area will be able to better access the Metro, enhancing connectivity to the entire Metro service area.
Project: North Woodbridge Pedestrian Bridge
Recipient: Prince William County Government
Amount: $4,800,000
Background: This project consists of designing and constructing a pedestrian bridge across a busy six-lane section of US Route 1 to connect the planned North Woodbridge Town Center to transit, bus and rail options at the Woodbridge VRE Station. North Woodbridge is a Metropolitan Planning Organization designated Regional Activity Center located along the Route 1 and I-95 corridors in a Transit Access Focus Area. This project is part of a larger effort to create safe walkable mixed-use communities and is a key connection between Equity Emphasis Areas, which are defined by high concentrations of low income and minority populations, and development on the east and west sides of Route 1. Additionally, the new pedestrian bridge will comply with the American with Disability Act standards for accessibility. This project will help pedestrians avoid dangerous intersections and save lives.
Project: I-66 Trail/Vienna Metrorail Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $1,000,000
Background: This project will construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements from Blake Lane to near the entrance of the Vienna Metro I-66 westbound ramp. Improvements include a shared-use path along the south side of Sutton Road and a two-way cycle track and sidewalk along the south side of Country Creek Road and Virginia Center Boulevard. This project will improve access for pedestrians and bicyclists to the Vienna Metrorail Station and Oakton High School. It is in the heart of a regional activity center, is part of an equity emphasis area, and represents a link in the National Capital Trail Network. The Vienna Metro Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements project, when finished, will provide a key connection to the larger planned I-66 parallel trail network, which will provide more than 11 miles of connectivity from Gallows Road, Dunn Loring to Centreville in Fairfax County; connect to some of the area’s major regional trails, such as the W&OD Trail, to provide improved mobility and travel choices; and create additional connections along new bridges over I-66 that will better serve cyclists and pedestrians.
Project: Housing Program Participant Information Digitization/Imaging
Recipient: Fairfax County Government
Amount: $200,000
Background: This project will help the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) with the process of digitizing/imaging hard copy housing program client files, in order to achieve two principal goals: 1) provide more efficient access to client information to improve customer service and 2) allow for more robust telework options for staff, in keeping with the FCRHA’s obligations under the federal Privacy Act. The project will improve customer service and protect data privacy for the more than 5,000 participating Fairfax County families in the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. Currently, much of the data related to participants in the FCRHA’s federal housing programs is maintained in hard copy. The proposed digitization project will allow employees to work more effectively and with more remote work options, while protecting the data of program participants. Finally, the project will improve and streamline operations of FCRHA, especially for the federal Housing Choice Voucher program.
|
|
