U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee has approved the FY11 Appropriations Bill, which includes $150,000 for the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. The funding will be used to conduct a study on at-risk teens in New York City. Schumer and Gillibrand worked closely with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending bill.
“This essential funding will help ensure that at-risk teenagers across New York City do not fall through the cracks,” Schumer said. “Providing funding to this outstanding organization will deeply benefit communities across the city and identify areas where we’re lacking to address problems with troubled teens. I will fight to see this funding through the full appropriations process.”
“It is critical that we help our city’s troubled teens so that they can achieve their full potential,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Federal investment for the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty will provide insight into ways we can keep our urban youth away from crime, violence and drug abuse and guide them towards success.”
“Teens in New York City face some of the toughest challenges and barriers to succeeding, and especially during this tough economy, with households under more stress than ever, teens are especially at risk for falling through the cracks,” said Met Council CEO Willie Rapfogel. “With our experience in tackling difficult urban issues, including poverty, domestic violence and youth at risk, plus our access to teens in religious and insular communities who aren’t normally studied, we recognize the importance of this project and are grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their leadership.”
The research by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty will study several types of at-risk teens in New York City. The Council plans to examine the characteristics of teens in danger of placement outside the home, teens impacted by drug or physical abuse, and those who have been branded as “problem teens” by their familial groups. Ultimately, the research seeks to identify service gaps and draft proposals on how to best meet the needs of this at-risk population. The findings will be disseminated to social workers, educators, counselors, and law enforcement officials.
Now that the bill has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, it will be sent to the full Senate Appropriations Committee, which is set to pass the bill this afternoon. Following approval by the Full Committee and the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.