The following are appropriations requests from Rep. Wasserman Schultz for the 2008 fiscal year.  These are only requests and do not represent actual program funding or federal funding allotted for the programs.  The announcement of funded requests will be posted on this Web site once they are announced by the House of Representatives.

The following programs, focus on child and community safety, transportation programs, education programs, health care programs and improvement of community infrastructure.  Funding of these programs help offset the fact that Floridians pay more into the federal treasury than they receive back in federally funded programs.  Securing funding for these local programs will help to improve the lives of South Floridians.

Organization:                 A Child Is Missing-FL

Title:                             A Child Is Missing-FL

Funds Requested:         $500,000

Description:                   The request will help us assist all the law enforcement agencies in the 20^th district and the State of Florida find missing children and the elderly.  Every 40 seconds a child goes missing.  Finding these missing children, not to mention elderly adults and people with disabilities is of paramount importance to parents, guardians, and law enforcement agencies. 

 

 

Organization:                 American Friends of the Hebrew University and the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center

Title:                              Collaborative Oral History project between Israel and South Florida

Funds Requested:         $500,000

Description:                   Due to the aging nature of the group, it is more important to record and organize the oral histories of Holocaust survivors during the next few years.  In both Israel and South Florida, tens of thousands of these oral histories have been recorded and many more need to be done.  With the assistance of the Library of Congress, Hebrew University and the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center would like to continue to record these oral histories and organize them into a joint library in both Israel and South Florida. 

 

 

Organization:                 The ARISE Foundation

Title:                              ARISE Life-Management Skills Intervention/Re-entry Program for High Risk Youth in Washington, D.C.

Funds Requested:         $500,000

      Description:                   The ARISE program provides both staff training and educational materials for teaching life lessons to incarcerated and at-risk youth through interactive methods that help develop critical thinking skills needed to break the cycle of violence and crime that would otherwise doom many juvenile offenders and at-risk youth to tragic lives of gang involvement, crime, drugs, prison, disease and poverty.   In addition to coordinating and conducting training sessions and providing materials, ARISE regularly and systematically evaluates and supports programs in several ways, including: weekly contact reports to evaluate program goals and progress; bi-weekly telephone contact with participating facilities; instructor surveys to ensure quality control and provide extra staff support; exit surveys completed by participants; chapter quizzes and assessments to test participating juveniles on materials covered; and, through data analysis and focus groups to monitor program success in each facility.  This program is administered in over 30 organizations in Washington, D.C.

 

 

Organization:                 The ARISE Foundation

Title:                              ARISE Life-Management Skills Intervention/Re-entry Program for High Risk Youth

Funds Requested:         $500,000

Description:                   ARISE serves approximately 31 facilities in 17 congressional districts, including Dade Marine Institute North in Miami within Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s congressional district. Over 23,000 hours of Life-Skills lessons have been taught at this facility. ARISE provides juvenile justice facilities with specialized staff training and its unique curricula designed specifically for populations reading at approximately a third grade level.  With over 260 easy-to-administer ARISE life-management lessons, ARISE materials contain vital information necessary for reducing recidivism. The ARISE program provides both staff training and educational materials for teaching life lessons to incarcerated youth through interactive methods that help develop critical thinking skills needed to break the cycle of violence and crime that would otherwise doom many of these juvenile offenders to tragic lives of gang involvement, crime, drugs, prison, disease and poverty. Due to the inherent problems staff have in dealing with incarcerated high risk youth, this coming year, ARISE will expand its training program for Juvenile Care and Detention Officers in Florida’s Juvenile Justice facilities, by introducing additional training topics such as anger management, non-judgmental listening and conflict resolution.  This training will be directed at reducing staff on youth conflict. 

 

 

Organization:                 Barry University

Title:                              Empowering Families with Technology Education Project

Funds Requested:         $2.9 million

Description:                   As a recipient of highly competitive public and private funding related to low-income, migrant and/or limited-literacy individuals, Barry, through its School of Education now seeks to expand educational opportunities in our high-need communities using an innovative approach.  The Empowering Families with Technology Education Project has four primary components: (1) a Minority Education Consortium (MEC) serving Belle Glade and Immokalee, Florida; (2) five Community Learning Centers to be established in low-income housing projects throughout South Florida; (3) the Technology Integration program (TIP); and (4) Technology Learning Carts (TLCs). The Community Learning Centers will be located in areas providing accessible housing to needy families throughout South Florida will be established.  Centers are designed to offer evidence-based learning laboratories, specially designed for multicultural and special needs participants, while also offering general assistance to members of the community and students before and after school.

 

 

Organization:                 Barry University

Title:                              Institute for Community and Economic Development

Funds Requested:         $175,000

Description:                   The Barry Institute for Community and Economic Development: a two-prong approach includes (1) Small Business Development Center to provide education and training in business management skills and serve as a networking center for small and family-owned business, and; (2) Center for Non-profit Leadership and Excellence which will provide training for non-profit ex   executives in a variety of areas, including managerial effectiveness and program sustainability. The Institute for Community and Economic Development will leverage Barry University’s outstanding business management resources to promote viable and sustainable community and economic development throughout the region.  Those managing small, minority and women-owned business enterprises and those providing leadership in the non-profit sector will be targeted with research-based education and training.

 

 

Organization:                 Broward Community College

Title:                              Center for Preparedness

Funds Requested:          $1.5 million

Description:                   This program will provide mental health workers and citizens with the tools to respond to the community following a crisis.  

 

 

Organization:                 Broward County

Title:                              Port Everglades Future Dredging Program

Funds Requested:         $1.05 million

Description:                   The Port currently lacks the width, depth and navigational clearances to accommodate this newer, larger class of ocean-going vessel.  Funding will allow the Corps of Engineers to continue the necessary planning, engineering and design needed prior to construction of this regionally significant project, which when constructed will allow Port Everglades to widen and deepen harbor channels to accommodate the newer, larger class of ocean-going vessels.  Without this funding, this study will come to a halt.

 

 

Organization:                 Broward County

Title:                              Buses

Funds Requested:         $8 million

Description:                   Broward County’s population growth and subsequent traffic congestion has generated additional demand for public transportation, and in order to keep pace with demand, Broward County has had to expand service, leaving replacement of older, failing buses behind schedule.  Funding is needed to purchase (50) limited stop articulated buses for US1 and 20 hybrid fuel buses.  These additional mass transit vehicles will prevent service delays, maintain rider ship, and will meet the County’s air quality objectives.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Dania Beach

Title:                              West Dania Beach Blvd. Bridge

Funds Requested:         $2.5 million

Description:                   West Dania Beach Blvd. presently ends east of Bryan Road on the east side of the canal. The addition of this bridge would create a continuous boulevard from A1A on the east coast to the service road east of I – 95. The continuation of the boulevard would provide a direct evacuation route from the east coast during a mandatory evacuation order. This bridge would also reduce traffic on Federal Highway (US-1) both north and south of Dania Beach Blvd. Direct access to the area west of the new bridge would also improve the area, increasing property values. This Bridge would also facilitate access to and from the new Casino scheduled to be constructed on east Dania Beach Blvd. reducing traffic through the adjacent neighborhoods.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Hallandale Beach

Title:                              Wireless Signalized Intersection System for US-1/Federal Highway

Funds Requested:         $2 million

Description:                   The City of Hallandale Beach requests federal assistance with the purchase, Installation, and startup costs affiliated with a Wireless Signalized Intersection System for US-1 within the City of Hallandale Beach.  Currently, US-1 serves as a main thoroughfare for commuters between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, servicing more than 100,000 people daily.  This amount of traffic leads to significant congestion and delays that affect not only local residents and businesses, but also prove detrimental toward regional and international commerce between the two major cities of Fort Lauderdale and Miami.  

 

 

Organization:                 City of Ft. Lauderdale

Title:                              City of Fort Lauderdale Las Olas Streetscape Improvements

Funds Requested:         $800,000

Description:                   This request is to implement the recommendations in the 2000 Las Olas Community Transportation Plan.  The plan calls for streetscape/landscape improvements, traffic calming measures, and improvements to traffic flow including ROW acquisition.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Hallandale Beach

Account:                        COPS

Title:                       Communications Equipment for Regional Emergency Operations Center for Law Enforcement

Funds Requested:         $300,000

Description:                   The City of Hallandale Beach requests federal assistance with communications system equipment for its Regional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Law Enforcement to adequately address law enforcement and emergency issues.  Due to the many concerns with both law enforcement and emergency services, it is essential that the City maintain a regional emergency operations headquarters with communications system equipment for the safety of the region’s citizens and utilities.  There currently is no Regional EOC in Southern Broward County, with the closest EOC nearly 25 miles away.   This equipment will include enhanced emergency communications and public safety information, electronic video-TV monitoring and production center, and an enhanced phone system and computers.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Hollywood

Title:                              Hollywood Mobile Command Unit

Funds Requested:         $500,000

Description:                   A Mobile Command/Communications Vehicle will be used by Public Safety personnel to respond to natural disasters, crime scene incidents, critical incidents and large special events. The City’s public safety forces provide assistance on a regional basis.  This vehicle will provide public safety personnel uninterrupted communications with other national, state and local agencies in the event of a natural disaster, emergency or major incident. During Hurricane Wilma, public safety communications were disrupted when almost all of Broward County lost power. By obtaining this mobile command unit, Hollywood will ensure that emergency communications are uninterrupted.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Lauderhill

Title:                              Wells Replacement & Holiday Village Water Main Replacement

Funds Requested:         $5 million

Description:                   The funds requested would allow the City to address several water   system issues including replacing existing fresh water wells, and existing water main from water service.  The funds would help the City to continue to deal with major quality of life issues for   Lauderhill residents.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Lauderhill

Title:                              US 441/State Road 7 Interchange at 11^th Street

Funds Requested:         $900,000

Description:                   This project is required for access to the new Central Broward Regional Park, Regional Library and Performing Arts Center.  The City’s objectives include planned growth and redevelopment, economic enhancement opportunities, neighborhood preservation and improved human and social services, which will be met by strategic planning, expanding existing resources and creative financing techniques.  The City believes that with these tools in place, it will be able to reshape its urban environment to meet future community needs, goals and desires.

 

 

Organization:                 City of North Miami

Title:                              Ron L. Book North Miami Athletic Stadium Renovation

Funds Requested:         $800,000

Description:                   Funds will be used for renovations of the track, athletic field and ancillary facilities at the Ron L. Book North Miami Stadium.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Miami Beach

Title:                              After School and Summertime Gang and Drug Prevention

Funds Requested:         $1.95 million

Description:                   Continued After-School and Summer programs ensure youth “growing-up” within the system. These youth are less likely to entertain outside and detrimental participation in other unsupervised activities, such as involvement in gangs and/or drugs. Participation in the recently created Teen Intervention Program in North Beach has increased dramatically during the past year, as have the various programmatic offerings by the City.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Miami Beach

Title:                              Miami Beach National Heritage Area

Funds Requested:         $1 million

Description:                   The City is seeking designation of Miami Beach as a National Heritage Area, and an appropriation of $1 million in initial funding to assist with concept design. Miami Beach exists as the home to the country’s first 20^th century historic district, and although young in incorporation, the City has a rich history, an extensive collection of cultural assets, and many scenic natural resources. The story of Miami Beach represents the story of the development of the American Resort Destination, and how that story has played a significant role in the nation’s heritage. Examples of this unique cultural heritage include: housing hundreds of thousands of trainees during World War II; Jackie Gleason’s weekly broadcasts; Muhammad Ali’s defeat of Sonny Liston; and important political conventions. The evolution of Miami Beach from a barrier island coconut plantation, to the first and premier resort destination in the country, is a story worth celebrating.

 

 

Organization:                 City of North Miami Beach

Title:                              Norwood Water Treatment Plant Expansion

Funds Requested:         $1.6 million

Description:                   The City of North Miami Beach seeks federal support of its expansion of the Norwood Water Treatment Plant that provides potable water to more than 185,000 consumers. The expansion includes emergency standby power facilities to provide continuous finished water of superior quality that meets or exceeds all federal and state regulatory standards in the wake of adverse weather conditions or bioterrorism. The provision of potable water during emergencies is essential to the public health, safety and well-being of our community.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Oakland Park

Title:                              Garden Acres Sanitary Sewer System

Funds Requested:         $4.9 million

Description:                   This area has been historically served by septic tanks. Scope of work includes building two lift stations and the supportive sanitary sewer drains throughout the neighborhood. This would provide safe and sanitary conditions to the residents of Garden Acres.

 

 

Organization:                 City of Pembroke Pines

Title:                              Pembroke Pines Florida State University Charter School’s Autism Program

Funds Requested:         $1.5 million

Description:                   A federal appropriation would enable the City to expand the autistic program at Pembroke Pines Florida State University Charter School.  This program allows children with autism and related problems to receive an individualized, age-appropriate education, alongside their same chronological general education peers. 

 

 

Organization:                 City of Plantation

Title:                              Law Enforcement Technology - Digital Radios SMART Zone Communications System

Funds Requested:         $900,000

Description:                   Funding of 300 digital radios to support the Police Department’s SMART Zone Communications System.  The City of Plantation will soon be included in the “smart zone” radio system that requires that all City public safety radios be digital.  Three hundred (300) digital radios will replace the department’s obsolete radios and allow the City to communicate with other governmental emergency response agencies.  Enhancing the current system will expedite access to critical information for emergency situations, lessen response times and prevent human and property losses. 

 

 

Organization:                 City of Plantation

Title:                              Stormwater Management Improvements

Funds Requested:         $1 million

Description:                   Funding would provide improvements to the City of Plantation’s primary and secondary stormwater management systems for flood protection and water quality/environmental protection.  The flood protection component targets protecting structures and roadways (particularly those critical for emergency operations/services and evacuation routes). Implementing storm water management improvement projects, ongoing operation and maintenance of local and regional systems, and continued coordination with the other agencies responsible for storm water management in this area will reduce the negative impacts from severe storm events.

 

 

Organization: