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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 omnibus bill that includes his request of $238,000 for the expansion of the Child and Teen Violence Reduction and Treatment Expansion project run by 180 Turning Lives Around.
Yesterday, the House approved a $410 billion spending bill that combines nine appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2009, which officially began on October 1, 2008. The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval before heading to the president's desk for his signature.
As part of the organization's commitment to serve the community, 180 Turning Lives Around, has established a wide range of programs for children affected by violence across a broad spectrum of need. The programs aim both to prevent violence and treat and care for those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. The funding approved by the House will be used by three programs within the organization.
Funding will be used to expand access, staff, training, technology and web assistance for the 2nd Floor Youth Helpline, which provides sub-acute counseling and support to adolescents throughout the state of New Jersey. The funds will allow 180 Turning Lives Around to serve more than 80,000 youngsters in New Jersey through this program.
The second program to receive funding is Amanda's Easel Art Therapy Program, a nationally renowned model of comprehensive services for children and parents who have been affected by domestic violence. The program helps to strengthen self-esteem and develop new coping skills through creative art therapies. The funds will allow the program to service 130 children, an additional 70 non-offending parents and more than 150 sexual violence survivors.
The Sexual Assault and Rape Care Program will also receive a portion of the funding to reduce or eliminate wait lists and to expand services to western and southern Monmouth County. The program offers support to adults, adolescents and teens that have been raped or sexually assaulted. The program provides accompaniment at local hospital emergency rooms for victims, operates a 24-hour supportive hotline, and provides support for a victim's family members or significant others.
"180 Turning Lives Around lives up to its name," Pallone said. "Every day, 180 Turning Lives Around programs help children and teens who have been the victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. The funds approved by the House this week will allow these programs to reach more families or to expand important services. This is an important investment in our nation's future."
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