Federal Funding and Grants
FY 2011 Appropriations
Below you will find a list of local and regional projects submitted by Rep. Chu for consideration in Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations Bills. Rep. Chu believes these projects will contribute to the health and prosperity of our community. These submissions, and all submissions by other Members of Congress, are being made public on the internet because of reforms instituted by Congress in the interest of transparency. Congresswoman Chu will continue to work to help our communities provide services and improve the lives of her constituents.
$186,421- Adelante Educational Leadership Program, Salesian Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA, Department of Justice, OJP- Juvenile Justice. The summer leadership program will teach disadvantaged youth leadership skills and improve their self-esteem and motivation to address the long term problems associated with high drop out rates and lack of career readiness of economically disadvantaged youth.
This is a good use of federal funds because it will help address the drop out crisis in our community which has a long term effect on both individual and community economic success and help these disadvantaged youth succeed over the long term rather than finding a more destructive alternative.
$330,000 – the Azusa Health Center Equipment Upgrade, El Proyecto del Barrio, Inc., Azusa, CA. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Health Facilities and Services. The proposed funding will provide for the purchase of medical equipment that will enhance the delivery of primary health care services. The Center provides over 10,000 patient visits annually with services that include: primary and preventive care, chronic disease management, cancer screenings, tuberculosis treatment, immune system monitoring, gynecology pregnancy testing and care, mammogram and PAP smears, prenatal examinations and pharmacy assistance. Currently, El Proyecto is experiencing an overwhelming demand for access to primary health care services.
The equipment upgrade at The Azusa Health Center will provide a strong impact on the access and delivery of services to a target population that is in desperate need of quality health care.
This is a good use of taxpayer funds because there is a critical need for the delivery of health care among the uninsured and underinsured population, and this project not only addresses the health needs of its population, but also contributes to the reduction of emergency room visits which are costly to taxpayers, and provides the community with preventative and quality health care that will provide long-term financial savings.
$500,000 – Azusa Intermodal Transit Center, City of Azusa, Azusa, CA. Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities Account. Funding will go to the construction of the Azusa Intermodal Transit center for Foothill Transit Bus and Gold Line. This facility will be a four-level, 164,000 square foot, 500 space intermodal parking facility. It will provide parking for the Downtown Azusa Gold Line light rail station. This station is part of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension scheduled to begin operations in 2013. In addition, the facility will serve as a Park-and-Ride/bus transfer facility for Foothill Transit and Azusa Transit that provide service to the nearest Metrolink commuter train station in the City of Covina, approximately 5 miles away.
This is a good use of federal funds because by taking automobiles off the congested 210 and 605 freeways, vehicle emissions will be reduced, less fossil fuels will be used, quality of life will be improved by reducing the stress of driving in traffic, and the local economy will improve, particularly for the downtown commercial district. Using taxpayer funds to reduce pollution, increase mobility in the San Gabriel Valley, and stimulate the economy will benefit all residents in the region.
$ 1,000,000 – Baldwin Avenue Grade Separation Project, Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority/San Gabriel Valley, Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Irwindale CA. Federal Railroad Administration, Grade Crossings on Designated High Speed Rail Corridors Account. Funding for this project is for the construction of a double-track railroad bridge over a four-lane depressed roadway on Baldwin Avenue in El Monte, which carries 25,000 vehicles a day.
This is a good use of federal funds because construction of the Baldwin Avenue project will create an estimated 1,370 full-time equivalent jobs, providing a much needed boost for San Gabriel Valley communities struggling to recover from the recession and particularly for the City of El Monte which is classified as a disadvantaged community where incomes fall below 80% of statewide household income. The project will eliminate a highway-rail at-grade crossing, the potential for train-vehicle collisions, delays for emergency responders and reduce emissions, locomotive horn and crossing gate noise.
In addition, the Project reduces a projected 300% increase in auto/truck traffic delay at crossings resulting from up to 160% increase in rail traffic and 40% increase in vehicular traffic. The Project also eliminates 221 tons of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from being emitted annually in the worst air basin in the nation.
$250,000 – Bienvenidos Children’s Center At-Risk Youth and Family Support Program, Bienvenidos Children’s Center, Covina CA, Department of Justice, OJP – Juvenile Justice Bienvenidos Family. Funding for this project will be used to provide comprehensive case management, individual and family counseling with a specialist, life skills training sessions, and parenting sessions to at-risk youth, including pregnant teens, and their families.
This is a good use of federal funds because it addresses at-risk youth, many of them victims of domestic violence and substance abuse, and pregnant teens before these vulnerable populations get worse. The At-Risk Youth and Family Support program is a solution to ending dependency on costly social services by equipping at-risk youth with the life skills and support they need to succeed in school and become self-sufficient adults.
$250,000 – California Forensic Science Institute (CFSI) Crime Laboratory Training Program, California State University, Los Angeles, CA. Department of Justice, OJP – Byrne Discretionary Grants. CFSI in partnership with local law enforcement agencies and California State University, Los Angeles, will develop and deliver in-service training courses for crime laboratory personnel and conduct public education programs regarding criminal justice issues.
This is a valuable use of federal taxpayer funds because forensic science is an increasingly important component to the work done concerning criminal justice, and strengthening the personnel assigned to this vital task is essential to improving the quality of work produced by crime laboratories in Los Angeles and in the Southern California region.
$373,379 – California State University Los Angeles Metro Academies for Low Income and First-Generation College Students, California State University, Los Angeles, CA. Department of Education, Higher Education. Metro Academies are designed to increase college completion by low-income and first-generation college students, setting them on a path to employment in high-demand industries. Each Academy is a three-semester learning community that serves some 200 students and has a career theme in a high-growth employment area like health or green technology. One campus may house multiple Metro Academies with a variety of career themes, and may even organize all first- and second-year students in this fashion.
Metro Academies provide a true gateway to higher education with courses carefully coordinated between community college and CSU levels. Faculty from both segments worked together to craft a rigorous curriculum that puts students "on track to graduation."
This is a good use of federal funds because three-quarters of the fastest-growing US occupations require more than a high school diploma and this project ensures that low income and first generation college students graduate from college. This will better prepare youth for a successful future and career.
$175,000 – Caregivers Employment Training Program, CA-32, Homecare Workers Training Center, Los Angeles, CA. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. This funding will be used to fund a free program to train in home caregivers on how to best care for senior citizens and people with special needs by focusing on advanced medical training, CPR, paramedical service, infection control and mobility service.
This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the State of California currently mandates no training for In-Home Supportive Services providers; as a result, the field is saturated with untrained or minimally-trained caretakers who are directly responsible for the daily care and safety of the county’s most fragile citizens. This lack of training has been identified as a factor that contributes to neglect and abuse. This funding will help protect seniors and the disabled and ensure they receive proper health and home care.
$100,000 – City of Duarte Emergency Operations Center, Duarte CA, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, State and Local Programs/Emergency Operations Center. The purchase of new technology and equipment for the Center will enhance the City's capacity for responding to emergencies and provide residents with more technologically exact and responsive services.
Taxpayers depend on the government to provide emergency services. This is a good use of federal funds because it will directly impact the efficiency of the Emergency Operations Center and ensure that residents will receive the immediate help they need in emergency situations.
$2,000,000 – City of Hope National Medical Center’s Advanced Molecular Medicine Initiative, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte CA, Department of Defense, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy (RDTE, N). Funding for this program will go toward the Advanced Molecular Medicine Initiative (AMMI) to develop innovative molecular-targeted therapies for more effective and less toxic treatment of cancer. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the advancement of medicine in the area of cancer treatment will benefit millions affected by cancer, potentially save lives and help those suffering from cancer endure the disease with less toxic treatments. It will also help the Navy better treat service members exposed to radiation.
$375,000 – City of Monterey Park Emergency Operations Center, Monterey Park CA, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, State and Local Programs/Emergency Operations Center. With a new Emergency Operations Center, Monterey Park’s residents, as well as neighboring and regional citizens will benefit. It will provide essential safety services in case of an emergency. This is a good use of federal funds because the economic impact resulting from this project will essentially result in lower costs to agencies in the surrounding area, State Disaster Area C, and Los Angeles County through immediate response and shared resources. The project construction aids in the stimulation of the economy by providing jobs to local and regional persons.
$187,500 – Community Mental Health Program for Underserved Populations , El Monte, Alma Family Services, Monterey Park, CA. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Ethnic minority populations are unserved, underserved or inappropriately served in the mental health arena. In addition, the lack of financial resources for local families places them at risk of developing mental health problems. In El Monte, funding will help increase information, resources, and raises awareness regarding mental health problems.
This is a good use of federal funds because it will reduce future costs to the taxpayer by addressing at-risk populations that would otherwise not have access to the resources to develop the skills and education, in spite of any mental health challenges, to find employment, take care of their families, and become self-sufficient instead of depending on social services.
$500,000 – Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station, City of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park, CA. Federal Highway Administration, TCSP Account. This project will install a compressed natural gas (CNG) station with fleet access that will also be open to the public. The station is designed to be approached by vehicles in any direction, and the fueling dispenser is accessible on two sides. Equipment would be state-of-the-art with fueling time in less than one minute. The City currently owns large vehicles that provide services to the community on a daily basis, but a closer and more efficient source of natural gas is needed to fuel the fleet and expand it.
As a nation we are continually concerned about climate change. This is a good use of federal funds to deal with this issue because a CNG fueling station is key to helping reduce pollution, improve the environment, and improve transportation and commuting in the San Gabriel Valley.
$500,000 – Construction for South El Monte Community Complex, City of South El Monte, South El Monte, CA. Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiatives Account. Funding will be used to construct a new community center for the City of El Monte. The Center will provide community meeting space, recreational facilities for the city’s youth, a technology lab and facilities for vocational training classes.
This is a good use of federal funds because the City of El Monte has an unemployment rate of 14.9% and only one park for the community to use. By funding this project, residents will have greater access to job training and classes right in their neighborhood. It will create construction jobs and help provide health awareness and reduce childhood obesity.
$5,018,625 – Education for Democracy Act, Civitas International Exchange, Council for Economic Education, New York, NY. Department of Education, Safe Schools for Civic Education. Education for Democracy Act programs promote a profound understanding of and commitment to the fundamental values and principles of American constitutional democracy as expressed in such seminal documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the Gettysburg Address. They also promote students' capacities to participate competently and responsibility in the political life of their communities and the nation.
Funding for Education for Democracy Act programs provides free sets of specialized textbooks for their schools at the upper elementary, middle and high school levels. Teachers receive professional development seminars and institutes to improve their content knowledge and teaching methods. A network of dedicated volunteers administers each program locally, adapting the program to their local needs and leveraging the federal funding with additional amounts at the state and local level in support of the program.
This is a good use of federal funds because it positively impacts of all of these programs – student civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
$26,635,625 – Education for Democracy Act, The Center for Civic Education, Calabasas, CA. Department of Education, Safe Schools for Civic Education. Education for Democracy Act programs promote a profound understanding of and commitment to the fundamental values and principles of American constitutional democracy as expressed in such seminal documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the Gettysburg Address. They also promote students' capacities to participate competently and responsibility in the political life of their communities and the nation.
Funding for Education for Democracy Act programs provides free sets of specialized textbooks for their schools at the upper elementary, middle and high school levels. Teachers receive professional development seminars and institutes to improve their content knowledge and teaching methods. A network of dedicated volunteers administers each program locally, adapting the program to their local needs and leveraging the federal funding with additional amounts at the state and local level in support of the program.
This is a good use of federal funds because it positively impacts of all of these programs – student civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
$185,055 – El Monte Family Services, JWCH Institute, Inc., Los Angeles, CA. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration – Health Facilities and Services. The funding will enable JWCH to provide comprehensive reproductive health care in the community of El Monte. They will benefit greatly from this project as it will provide its members with the information and services for good reproductive health.
This is a worthy use of taxpayer funds because good reproductive health prevents STIs and unintended pregnancies, which can reduce reliance on emergency health services and address health disparities among minority groups.
$389,290 – El Monte Transit Village Water Project, City of El Monte, El Monte, CA. Environmental Protection Agency, STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Account. This project will ensure that the community and businesses at El Monte Transit Village will have access to clean and reliable water supplied to them by installing water pipes to promote drinking water.
The El Monte Transit Village is designed as a housing community, a commercial and retail site, and an integrated transit hub. With the completion of the Transit Village, El Monte is slated to become the largest transit hub of the San Gabriel Valley. The current plan will generate 652 housing units and 125,000 square feet of retail space coupled with the largest bus center in the region.
This is a good use of federal public funds because the region will generate commercial and economic activity, improves mobility as a transit location, and provides housing for a mixed income community. This is a strategic long-term investment that will yield jobs and housing for residents of the San Gabriel Valley.
$250,000 – Employment Services for Californians with Mental Illness Program, Pacific Clinics, Covina, CA. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Funding will go directly to the expansion of the Champions of Employment program, which assists mentally ill persons in obtaining and maintaining employment by providing fully integrated employment services and training.
Additionally, this project will help mentally ill persons gain employment thereby decreasing psychiatric symptoms and increasing self-esteem, which leads to reduced suicide rates and medical costs. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it takes a significant financial burden off of the local and state governments by turning unemployed mentally ill persons into productive tax-paying members of society.
$100,000 – Foothill Family Service’s Teen Family Services, Foothill Family Service, El Monte CA, Department of Justice, OJP – Juvenile Justice. Foothill Family Service’s Teen Family Services is a comprehensive case management and mentoring program that proposes to serve at least 145 pregnant or parenting teens in the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, South El Monte and West Covina each year.
The primary goal of the program is to promote the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting teens and their babies by linking them to existing resources.
Teen Family Services’ case management effectively assesses and addresses the risks and resources for the pregnant and parenting teens, and assists them in raising healthy babies, complete school, and make healthy life choices.
Teen pregnancy imposes a tremendous financial burden on taxpayers and society as a whole. Compared to women who delay childbearing, teen mothers are more likely to drop out and never graduate from high school, resulting in a higher likelihood that they will draw on social support programs such as TANF, Unemployment Insurance, housing subsidies, food stamps and Medicaid. In 2004, researchers estimated that the total public cost of teen childbearing was $9.2 billion per year, an estimate which included costs and expenses associated with medical care, child welfare, incarceration and the loss of tax revenue.
Foothill Family Service’s Teen Family Services not only promotes the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting teens and their babies, but saves public funds by mitigating the costly problems often associated with teen pregnancy as previously mentioned.
$600,000 – Foothill Transit Alternative Fuel Buses, Foothill Transit, West Covina, CA. Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities Account. Funding will go to the purchase of alternative CNG fuel buses.
As a nation we are continually concerned about climate change. This is a good use of federal funds because this project would not only reduce energy consumption, but also help reduce emissions in the Los Angeles area where air quality is a constant concern. Public transit inherently makes communities safer, more livable and attractive to economic investment. Transit with alternative fuel vehicles multiplies these benefits, and makes projects such as this one perfect candidates for federal funding as they fit the government's fuel economy, clean air and job creation goals.
$375,000 – Library Seismic Retrofit of the Covina Public Library, Covina CA, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, Predisaster Mitigation. Funding for this project will go to retrofit the library for future earthquakes by infilling between the inner and outer walls, wrapping and bracing of load-bearing pillars, and installation of top braces between shelving. The result will be enhanced safety for all library users, protection of the structural integrity of the building, and preservation of the resources it contains.
The Library has almost 300,000 visitors annually and a seismic retrofit would provide enhanced safety for all patrons. As things stand now, a major quake could do severe damage to the structure and the resources it contains.
This is a good use of federal funding because it would save lives, and the funding of this project would produce a long-term benefit to the safety of library patrons.
$466,000 – Los Angeles County Draining Area (LACDA) Water Conservation and Supply, Whittier Narrows Dam, CA, Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Alhambra CA, Corps of Engineers, Investigations. Funding for this project will go toward the implementation of a feasibility study, which will increase local water supply for a large portion of the San Gabriel Valley and East Central Los Angeles County. The change in operations at both dams could produce an additional 10,000 acre-feet of local water supplies per year. When water is not available from local supplies, the water must be imported. The costs for 10,000 acre-feet of imported water are well over $4 million today, and costs are rising every year. Increasing local sustainability will help control the cost of water for area residents of Los Angeles County.
Providing federal dollars for this project will have national significance and be a valuable use of taxpayer funds since it is intended to address challenges and opportunities relative to water conservation at a regional level. The results of the study can be used to increase local supplies of groundwater not only for the region, but the entire state of California and decreases the demand of imported water from Northern California. The interstate benefits also include less demand on the Colorado River, which serves California, Nevada, and Arizona.
$1,000,000 – Metro Gold Line Eastside Four Quadrant Gate Project, CA-32, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA. Federal Railroad Administration, Research and Development Account. The project would install four quadrant gates at 24 at-grade intersection crossings located along the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension. The four quadrant gates would provide an additional safety enhancement for Metro patrons and Eastside residents by reducing violations of vehicles crossing the tracks during red lights.
This is a good use of federal funding because quadrant gates at each of the 24 at-grade intersection crossings will provide an additional safety enhancement for patrons and residents and reduce violations of vehicles crossing the tracks during red lights.
$3,000,000 – Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2B, Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, Monrovia CA. Federal Highway Administration, TCSP Account. Funding for the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2B will complete Advanced Conceptual Engineering, including preliminary engineering and completion of the environmental process. Phase 2B expands the Metro Gold Line LRT from the City of Azusa to Montclair, connecting the cities of Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair.
This is a good use of federal funds because energy savings for the entire Phase 2 are estimated at 1.5 million gallons of gasoline each year, which will reduce levels of pollution. In addition, the overall extension will create an estimated 2,690 jobs. Much of the impact will occur in the construction industry, with over one third of the total (direct, indirect and induced) employment generated by the program.
$425,000 – Nueva Maravilla Community Policing and Technology Program, Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles, Monterey Park CA, Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology. This appropriations request of $425,000.00 will help support the Nueva Maravilla Community Policing and Technology Program in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). Through enforcement, investigation, and prevention/intervention strategies. Furthermore, the funding will support the pursuit of LASD COPLINK and Advanced Surveillance and Protection (ASAP) technologies.
The overall goal of this enhanced technology is to more efficiently and effectively detect and address crime at this housing development. The Nueva Maravilla Community Policing and Technology Program project is a good use of federal taxpayer funds because it will reduce crime and make the community safer.
$150,000 – Oral Health Care Expansion Project for People Living with HIV/AIDS, AltaMed Health Services Corporation, El Monte, CA. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Health Facilities and Services. Funding will be used to increase the number of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the district that receives oral health care, thus reducing oral health disparities for People Living with HIV/AIDS.
Effective management of people living with HIV/AIDS is vital to improving the quality of life for these patients. Adults who do not receive regular professional care can develop oral diseases that eventually require complex treatment and may lead to tooth loss, systemic health problems and overuse of emergency rooms.
This is a good use of federal funds because health centers reduce the need for complex and expensive dental procedures, and they lower emergency room visits, saving billions of taxpayer dollars each year. AltaMed provides services to vulnerable populations who would otherwise not have access to dental care and preventive services. Health centers, like AltaMed’s El Monte Clinic, are a cost-effective approach to oral health care that improves health outcomes and the quality of life, and lowers the cost of treating patients with chronic illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS.
$200,000– Police Emergency Response System, City of West Covina, West Covina CA, Department of Justice, OJP – Byrne Discretionary Grants Account. Funding for this project will go toward the installation of emergency signal technology in West Covina that will allow police vehicles to respond more quickly to an urgent scene without unnecessary delays.This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it meets the demands of the region for quick police response to emergency situations and will enhance the safety of the San Gabriel Valley.
$1,500,000 – Raymond, Six, Chino, & San Gabriel Basins, CA, Raymond Basin Management Board, Azusa CA, Corps of Engineers, Investigations. Funding for this project will go to the Water Supply Reliability Project, which is a regional solution that will add up to 500,000 acre feet of water storage to the underground aquifers. This is a good use of federal funds because it will make the region far less dependent on imported water and will dramatically reduce the energy needs for transporting water from greater distances. Construction of these projects will allow the region to more efficiently control groundwater contaminant migration, while better managing storage and distribution of groundwater supplies during recurring periods of drought. These projects increase flexibility of imported water deliveries, enhances supply reliability, and augments water quantity to the major Foothill and Inland Empire communities.
The project will also help local communities meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act goals and the State of California's Department of Public Health's (DPH) objectives for water quality, as well as providing the region with water in the case of a major seismic event or bushfire.
$10,000,000 – Reach Out and Read, Reach Out and Read, Boston, MA. Department of Education, Innovation and Improvement – Reach Out and Read authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Funding for Reach Out and Read will promote early language and literacy development and school readiness. Pediatricians and other healthcare providers guide and encourage parents to read aloud to their children from their earliest years of their life, and send them home from each regular checkup with a new book and a prescription to read together.
Reach Out and Read is a national evidence-based school readiness initiative that promotes literacy and language development in infants and preschoolers, targeting children and families living in poverty and under-performing school districts. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because promoting early language and literacy skills prepares children to excel in school. Today, Reach Out and Read serves 3.8 million children annually, but millions more children nationwide do not receive the necessary support and assistance they need to develop these critical skills and enter kindergarten ready to learn.
$10,000,000 – San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, San Gabriel Restoration Fund, West Covina CA, Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources. The San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund will use funds to design, construct, and operate water projects to contain and treat the spreading groundwater contamination in the San Gabriel and Central Groundwater Basins. The plume of contamination in these two groundwater basins, which serve as the primary source of drinking water for almost 3 million people in Los Angeles County, is spreading at the rate of several miles per year. This project will address the groundwater contamination and provide safe and clean drinking water to residents within the San Gabriel Basin. This project is a good use of federal taxpayer funds because it will provide residents in the region with a clean and reliable supply of water.
$350,000 – Small Business Job Growth Program, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE), El Monte, CA, Financial Services and General Government, Small Business Administration, Salaries and Expenses. Funding will go to the Job Creation through Small Business Growth Program to increase the number of low income, ethnic minority and immigrant clients that are eligible. By increasing the scale of the current program, PACE will be able to reach a level of activity that is both self-sustainable and highly significant to the hundreds of thousands of low income, ethnic minority and immigrant entrepreneurs in my district and the Greater Los Angeles area.
The Job Growth Program is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because of the dire need for jobs in my district and the Greater Los Angeles area. This program also meets both the President’s and Congress’s priority for creating jobs. With unemployment hovering at 12%, there is an immediate need to create jobs quickly.
$250,000 – Supportive Services for At-Risk Youth in Foster Care, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, Los Angeles CA, Department of Justice, OJP – Juvenile Justice. The Center’s Supportive Services for Youth in Foster Care program will support up to 25 LGBT foster and other system-involved youth through comprehensive, multifaceted supportive services delivered to them in their foster homes and other placement settings. Our goal is to keep these highly at-risk youth safe, stable and well cared for in their existing homes and facilities, while simultaneously providing them with a sense of support, belonging and identity with the LGBT community. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the average public cost for impaired homeless adults decreases 79% when housed, from a monthly average of nearly $3000 to $605. It stands to reason, therefore, that preventing chronic homelessness, which is a central aim of this project, is not only the right thing to do morally, but it also addresses the practical matter of saving public funds.
$500,000 – Sustainable Hydrogen Facility, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA, Department of Energy, EERE-Wind Energy. Funding for this project will go toward the construction and implementation of a sustainable hydrogen fueling station and research facility to meet the needs of consumers and industry. This project aligns with the Department of Energy’s goals of producing clean energy from converting wind and solar to hydrogen and makes these energy efficient alternatives available to the public.
This will be the only hydrogen station open to the general public in East Los Angeles. Additionally it will be available to local public transportation agencies and to automobile manufacturers that are now deploying their hydrogen-powered concept vehicles in Los Angeles.
This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the development and deployment of hydrogen as a transportation fuel will benefit the health of Los Angeles County residents by reducing premature death due to respiratory diseases caused by air pollution from trucks, buses and cars.
$400,000 – Water Line Replacements, Baldwin Park, Valley County Water District, Baldwin Park, CA. Environmental Protection Agency, STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Account. Funding for this project will go towards the replacement of old and undersized water mains that are 4-inches and smaller. These undersized water mains comprise 14.5 miles or 13% of the total system and are 50 years and older. The project will also replace the water services and fire hydrants.
This is a good use of federal funds because it will improve fire flow protection in Baldwin Park and improve the quality of water supplied to residents and businesses.
$250,000- WINGS Domestic Violence Program, YWCA San Gabriel Valley, Covina CA, Department of Justice, OJP – Byrne Discretionary Grants Account. This project is for services for domestic violence victims and their children. L.A. County has experienced reduced services, fewer emergency shelter and transitional housing options for these victims, with a loss of over 200 beds last year alone. This one-time request of federal funds will allow WINGS to modify its program to better meet the demand for domestic violence services and provide the best possible support for victims of domestic violence, as they try to establish healthy and stable lives for themselves and their children.
Specifically, the program will provide financial, housing and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, access to employment opportunities, psychological therapy for themselves and their children, child care services, and a strong support network.
Over the last two years, the California State Budget Crisis and the economic recession have resulted in less access to employment and educational opportunities, as well as losses of critically needed services for vulnerable populations, including victims of domestic violence. Additional stress on households has caused domestic violence to escalate and make it more difficult for victims to leave terrifying situations. Requests for domestic violence services have increased up to 50%, while economic instability is causing many shelters to reduce services or close. In the winter months of 2009, the number of homeless families who sought emergency shelter in Los Angeles County nearly doubled.
This project is a good use of federal taxpayer dollars because domestic violence costs the federal government $37 billion dollars due to 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million in medically-treated injuries from intimate partner violence.
This program will help establish healthy and stable lives for families and their children and reduce the many tragic effects of violence in the home.
$200,000 – Youth and Parent Education, Language, and Leadership Development Program, CA-32, Asian-Pacific American Legal Center, Los Angeles, CA. Department of Education, Elementary & Secondary Education. Funding will go to costs associated with a youth and family leadership program. Recent educational research has shown that developing the leadership and advocacy capacity of parents at school and in the community can lead to improved academic achievement. This program is designed to change the way that underserved families approach K-12 schools and college access by teaching parents and students about the US education system, promoting ongoing holistic development of underserved students and their parents, as lifelong learners and partners in education through leadership and education training.
This project would vastly contribute to helping families become more self-sufficient so that they can continue to gain skills, become marketable employees, and contribute to the community socially and economically. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will help disadvantaged families and children reach their true academic potential.
$100,000 – Youth Multicultural Mental Health Demonstration Program, Fiesta Educativia, Inc., Los Angeles, CA. Department of Health and Human Services, CMS Research and Demonstration. This project will create a demonstration program for both mono-lingual and bilingual parents and caregivers to work and play with disabled children to help them socialize and become active members of society. The project will implement socialization activities for children with autism and other behavioral challenges.
Specifically, funds will be used to rent additional space for the classes, purchase basic educational materials for special education and pay instructor fees and healthy snacks for children and volunteers. This program is a good use of federal funds because it helps children develop healthy social skills, develop greater self-esteem, better integrate with society and have a brighter future.
FY 2010 Appropriations
Below you will find a list of local and regional projects submitted by Rep. Chu for consideration in Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Bills. Rep. Chu believes these projects will contribute to the health and prosperity of our community. These submissions, and all submissions by other Members of Congress, are being made public on the internet because of reforms instituted by Congress in the interest of transparency. Congresswoman Chu will continue to work to help our communities provide services and improve the lives of her constituents.
$250,000 - Police Communications Upgrade, City of Monterey Park, 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754.
Funding will be used to purchase new radios for the Monterey Park Police Department. The main source of communications the police officers in the field use to communicate with dispatchers is the police radio which serve as a vital lifeline for the officer to receive radio calls, request assistance, and check for needed information. The City’s current radios are 10 years old and are no longer serviced by the manufacturer. This is valuable use of federal funds because it will help provide a fast and efficient response time to the City’s residents and improve safety.
$1,000,000 - Advanced Molecular Medicine Initiative, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
Funding will be used for the Advanced Molecular Medicine Initiative to perform research to improve molecular-targeted therapies for more effective and less toxic treatment of cancer for members of both the Department of Defense and civilian populations. This research will also develop expertise and technologies directly applicable to defense against biological, chemical or radiological attacks. In this regard, radiation biology is a critical area of research that has overlapping interests between the Department of Defense and the cancer medicine community. This is a good use of federal funds because it will have multiple applications critical to the health and safety of our nation and its residents.
$250,000 – Paramount Blvd Improvements, City of Monterey Park, 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754.
Funding will be used to widen on and off ramps of the 60 freeway (SR-60) and Paramount Boulevard at their intersection. This will help relieve traffic congestion and will soon provide access to the City of Monterey Park’s future Cascades Market Place power center which will house businesses that employ approximately 1,400 people. The success of the Market Place relies heavily on these ramps which are the only access via the freeway system. This is a good use of federal funds because it will improve the mobility and safety of thousands of people.
$9,582,55 - Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Metro Gold Line Eastside Light Rail Extension is a six-mile light rail project that connects Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to the intersection of Pomona and Atlantic Boulevards in East Los Angeles. The Metro Gold Line Eastside Light Rail Extension project, which is scheduled to open in October 2009, is expected to carry an average of 23,000 passengers a day serving low-income areas. This is a good use of federal funds because the Eastside community that the project will serve has the highest residential density and transit dependent population in Los Angeles County with few transportation options.
$500,000 - Metrolink Positive Train Control, Southern California Regional Rail Authority
700 S. Flower Street Suite 2600, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Funding will be used to implement Positive Train Control (PTC) along the Metrolink rail lines. PTC is a collision avoidance technology designed to stop a train before an accident occurs. HR 2095, the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 signed into law in October 2008 requires the implementation of Positive Train Control on railroads nationwide by 2015. Installation of a PTC system on the 216 miles of Metrolink is estimated to cost $201 million. This is a good use of federal funds because it will help protect the lives of tens of thousands of Southern Californians.
$750,000 - Angeles National Forest, USDA Forest Service, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington , DC 20250
The historic Big Horn Mine, at the headwaters of the San Gabriel River in Los Angeles County, is the top priority land acquisition for the Angeles National Forest. Surrounded on all sides by the 41,883-acre Sheep Mountain Wilderness, the 277-acre property belonged to a mining company that secured permits to restart mining activities when the price of gold was high. Funding will allow the Angeles National Forest to remove the threat of mining and return this land to the public for use. This is a good use of federal funds because it will protect the use of open space in the Los Angeles Area and expand a national forest.
$375,000 - Emergency Operations Center, City of Monterey Park, 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754.
Funding will be used to construct a new Emergency Operations Center in Monterey Park, CA. This is a good use of federal funds because it will improve coordinated emergency response to the Interstate Highway system that frames the City on three sides, improve Urban Search and Rescue and wild land response to the region, and provide robust public safety response to commercial development along the SR-60 corridor.
$4,000,000 - San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, 1720 West Cameron Ave., Suite #100, West Covina, CA 91790
Funding will go to help design, construct, and operate water projects to contain and treat the spreading groundwater contamination in the San Gabriel and central Groundwater Basins. The plume of contamination in these two groundwater basins, which serve as the primary source of drinking water for almost 3 million people in Los Angeles County, is spreading at the rate of several miles per year. This is a good use of federal funds because it will protect and preserve the water supply in Los Angeles County.
$300,000 – Los Angeles County Drainage Area Water Conservation Study and Supply, Whittier Narrows Dam, CA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 915 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 980, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Funding for this project will allow the Corps of Engineers to complete the required environmental documentation and update the Whittier Narrows Dam Feasibility Study that will allow for the storage of storm water runoff water behind the Whittier Narrows Dam for groundwater recharge purposes. The water captured is later released to replenish the groundwater basin serving south Los Angeles County. This is a good use of federal funds because it will help capture additional local storm water for up to 2,200 households each year almost 9000 people annually and will help reduce local reliance on imported water from the Sacramento and Colorado rivers by increasing local supply and improving water supply reliability for the region.
$2,000,000 - Alameda Corridor-East Grade Separations, CA, Southern California Association of Governments, 818 W. Seventh Street, 12th Floor , Los Angeles, CA 90017
The LA/Inland Empire corridor is the heart of the goods movement industry, which is a critical component of California’s economy. Over 718,000 jobs in California are a direct result of international trade conducted through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together handle 85 percent of the containerized cargo processed in the State. Funding will be used to construct grade crossings along the corridor. This is a good use of federal funds because it will improve safety and mobility of both trains and automobiles along the corridor.
San Gabriel River Watershed Environmental Assessment and Demonstration - $50,000,000
This project will be a strong partnership between the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the Army Corps of Engineers. It authorizes funding that will focus on ecosystem restoration, flood control, water quality control, water supply storage and outdoor recreation enhancements for the San Gabriel River Watershed. This study will provide a detailed analysis on the current state of the river and how it can be transformed into a valuable resource complementing the urbanization of the watershed. This project will benefit all of the communities along the san Gabriel river from the mountains to the sea.
Groundwater Reliability Improvement Program (GRIP) - $20,000,000
Southern California’s water supply relies heavily on groundwater, but the local groundwater basins are facing a crisis regarding quantity and quality of the supply. This project will help recharge our local natural water storage basins with recycled water with the GRIP. The program will create a multi-agency, multi-regional advanced water treatment facility that will use recycled water, further treat it and offset water demands in the San Gabriel Valley. This will help ensure a reliable supply of locally sustainable water for our region.
Sewer System Rehabilitation Program, Monterey Park - $3,300,000
This project will allow the City of Monterey Park to fix and replace segments of their sewer system to provide additional flow capacity and reduce the occurrence of sewer overflows. By making these much needed improvements city residents will have a safe system that will last an additional 50 years by ensuring a more reliable and secure system for the city.
Water System Improvements, Monterey Park - $33,500,000
The City’s reservoir storage system for drinking water no longer serves the needs of the City. It was constructed in the 1930’s and is now old enough to pose a risk to the water supply. This project will renovate and enlarge the current system to increase the overall storage capacity and increase security. With only a one-day supply of water within its reservoir storage system, the City of Monterey Park could be without water for domestic and firefighting use in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster. Therefore, this project is critical for the future safety of Monterey Park residents.
2010 Federal Highways Authorization Bill
Below you will find a list of local and regional projects submitted by Rep. Chu for consideration in 2010 Federal Highways Authorization Bill. Rep. Chu believes these projects will contribute to the safety, mobility and prosperity of our community. These submissions, and all submissions by other Members of Congress, are being made public on the internet because of reforms instituted by Congress in the interest of transparency. Congresswoman Chu will continue to work to help our communities provide services and improve the lives of her constituents.
Alameda Corridor East – San Gabriel Valley – 10 Grade Separation Project
Amount Requested: $354,000,000
The Alameda Corridor-East-San Gabriel Valley Project (ACE-SGV) is a comprehensive grade crossing/rail safety improvement initiative that includes safety and mobility improvements at 39 grade crossings and the completion of 20 grade separations along a 70-mile freight/passenger corridor, serving 31 cities and 2 million residents. The ACE-SGV Project is part of a four-county goods movement trade corridor improvement plan encompassing 282 miles of mainline track. Funding is requested for design, right-of-way and relocation activities, utility relocation and construction of 10 grade separation projects which will dramatically increase safety, mobility and trade in the San Gabriel Valley.
Azusa – Intermodal Transit Center
Amount Requested: $8,832,000
The Azusa Intermodal Transit Center is a four-level, 500 space intermodal parking facility. The facility will provide parking for the Downtown Azusa Gold Line light rail station and serve as a Park-and-Ride/bus transfer facility for Foothill Transit and Azusa Transit. This project will provide a safe and convenient facility that will encourage residents to use public transit instead of personal vehicles, thereby reducing the amount of pollution caused by greenhouse gases. It will also attract patronage among commuters and breathe life into the downtown Azusa district.
Baldwin Park – Passenger Boarding Station and Metrolink Transit Facility
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
The Baldwin Park Metrolink Transit Center will provide a hub for transfers to the Metrolink trains, Foothill Transit and Metro buses and the Baldwin Park Transit circulator shuttle. Currently, six bus lines converge in or near the Metrolink train station; however, there is no center location to transfer from mode or bus lines to another. This project will link the transit systems into a convenient transit center to provide effective and efficient travel though the downtown center. This will encourage use of public transit by making it easier for riders to use multiple mode of transit to get around the San Gabriel Valley.
Covina – Passenger Facilities at Covina Metrolink Station
Amount Requested: $1,200,000
City of Covina Metrolink Station is a regional transportation hub that, at present, has no passenger facilities or amenities to provide for passenger comfort. The project will enhancement the station by adding improved passenger waiting and information facilities, restrooms, lockers and shower facilities to complement the Metrolink Station and Covina Bikestation. The facility would encourage more transit users and, along with the Bikestation, encourage an environmentally conscious commuting option for residents.
Duarte – Redesign and Rehabilitation of Mountain Ave. and Duarte Rd. Intersection
Amount Requested: $1,200,000
Funding for this project will go toward the redesign of the intersection of Mountain Ave. and Duarte Rd. which is an intersection prone to vehicle accidents due to the confusion of motorists on right-of-way. The City is currently exploring various design options, considering environmental impacts, and discussing right-of-way needs based upon these scenarios. This project would be constructed concurrently with the construction of the Metro Gold Line project. It would benefit the City of Duarte, City of Monrovia (which owns 1/2 of the intersection) and the Metro Gold Line Authority. By redesigning the intersection, the project will achieve improved traffic safety and reduce the amount of accidents. Its proximity to the Metro Gold Line will also increase ridership from residents and commuters in the region.
LA County MTA – Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2
Amount Requested: $34,546,000
The project would extend the existing Los Angeles Gold Line Eastside Extension to the eastern portion of LA County from its current terminus at Atlantic/Pomona Boulevards station. The project is expected to add 7-9 miles of light rail to the system and extend the existing Los Angeles Gold Line Eastside Extension to the eastern portion of Los Angeles County.
A significant portion of Los Angeles County's low-income and transit-dependent households are located in the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project study area. At present, these transit dependent communities are served only by local buses- understanding that the study area has limited/congested arterial and freeways, a dedicated transit alternative is critically needed in the area. This project eases congestion and improves mobility for the Southern California region. This phase of the project is for preliminary engineering analysis and construction of the light rail system.
LA County MTA – I-10 HOV Lanes from Puente Ave. to Citrus Ave
Amount Requested: $13,000,000
Requested funding is for construction and engineering for the I-10 HOV lanes project from Puente Ave. to Citrus Ave. The I-10 is a national route carrying large volumes of traffic to one of the nation's largest cities. Construction of these lanes will provide much needed relief on one of the country's main highways. Creating an HOV lane on this stretch of I-10 would afford vehicles an extra lane within which to maneuver and travel and will improve the commercial flow of traffic and goods in and out of the Los Angeles area. The congestion on the freeway is severe and the HOV lanes will encourage carpooling and the routing of transit on the freeway increasing the person-carrying capacity of the freeway. This will reduce the amount of vehicles on the road, and subsequent emissions of harmful pollutants in the air.
Monterey Park – Paramount Boulevard Improvements
Amount Requested: $4,500,000
This project will widen the on and off ramps of the 60 freeway (SR-60) at the Paramount Boulevard location. These improvements will relieve traffic congestion in the vicinity of the SR-60 and Paramount Boulevard interchange for patrons accessing the Montebello Town Center and future Monterey Park Market Place, important commercial centers in the San Gabriel Valley. The Paramount Boulevard Improvements will also improve traffic circulation to accommodate more traffic and increase the capacity for vehicles, and reduce traffic congestion and vehicular emissions that contribute to air pollution.
South El Monte – Santa Anita Avenue Rehab and Replacement Project
Amount Requested: $2,786,135
The Santa Anita Avenue Rehab and Replacement Project will involve the removal and replacement of asphalt pavement and striping on Santa Anita Avenue and other areas throughout the City. Funding will also be used to construct sidewalks to include driveway approaches, sign replacements and wheelchair ramps. These road improvements will address much needed traffic congestion problems and provide the city and San Gabriel Valley with improved traffic flow and contribute to greater efficiency in helping residents and visitors in the Valley reach their destinations.
West Covina – Design, Rehabilitate and Re-construct Six Interchanges
Amount Requested: $880,000
Funding will be used to design, rehabilitate, and re-construct six interchanges in West Covina to allow for left turns at these six interchanges. Improvements will also include the installation of new traffic signal systems and left turn phasing lanes to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion on the city’s main arteries.