Press Release

Gillibrand Announces Key Senate Panel Approves $300,000 to Strengthen Brooklyn Child Abuse Prevention Efforts

Jun 26, 2009

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Senate
Appropriations Committee approved $300,000 for Ohel Children’s Home and
Family Services in Brooklyn in the FY10 Commerce, Justice and Science
Appropriations Billto improve the well being of at-risk students.
Senator Gillibrand aggressively lobbied members of the Appropriations
Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending
bill.

“Nothing is more important than the safety
and well-being of our kids,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These federal
dollars will help give Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services the
resources they need to reach out and protect more New York City
children, and provide the mentoring, guidance and leadership they need
for a path to a bright future. I pledge to always be a voice for our
young people, and work to make sure they are safe and have every
opportunity to succeed.”

Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services is
a premiere foster care agency in New York City.  Ohel comprises 1,000
full and part-time psychiatrists, psychologists, certified social
workers, nurses and counselors who provide tutoring, mentoring,
vocational training and respite work for New York City children and
families.

The $300,000 federal investment will go
toward Ohel’s “At-Risk Youth and Child Abuse Prevention” program to
help improve the well-being of elementary and high school students
through school-based services, community education, crisis
intervention, psychological counseling, teacher training and mentoring.

Late yesterday, the Appropriations Bill for
Commerce, Justice and Science passed the full committee. The
legislation will head to the floor for a full vote before the Senate.
The bill will then proceed to the House-Senate Conference Committee,
before final passage in both chambers, and sent to the President to
become law.