(Washington, DC) Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the FY08 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations-Education bill, including requests five Louisville projects from Congressman John Yarmuth’s (KY-3) totaling $825,000.

“With skyrocketing health care costs leaving millions of our fellow citizens without the care they need, more and more people depend on quality community programs for treatment and prevention,” Congressman Yarmuth said of funding for a Dental Mobile Health Unit, Center for Health Equity, and a Men’s Health Program.  “Until we are able to mend our broken healthcare system, funding crucial programs like these must be a top priority.”

Yarmuth also secured funding for two education programs, Visually Impaired Preschool Services and Project One.  “For many bright, talented students in Louisville who are challenged by adversities—be they economic or physical disabilities, this investment will help them get the tools they need to overcome their obstacles, find success, and become productive members of our community.”

The Labor, Health & Human Services, Education Appropriations bill was approved by the House of Representatives today.  Once the Senate passes its version of the bill, the differences will be worked out in conference committee.  The final conference report must then be approved by Congress before it can be signed into law.  Louisville’s included projects are detailed below. 


$238,772 – Dental Mobile Health Unit
Effecting more than half of all children ages six to eight, tooth decay is America’s most common childhood disease, and it goes untreated for far too many children, especially those living in poverty.  Furthermore, tooth decay disproportionately affects adults living in poverty as well as seniors.  This funding will be used for a fully equipped mobile dental health unit to provide necessary dental care to low-income communities and senior housing units throughout Louisville. 

$238,772 – Center for Health Equity
The Center for Health Equity is a nationally unique center that addresses health disparities that exist between populations based upon social factors.  The center will address these issues through community-based participatory research, community demonstration projects, meaningful evaluation methodologies, and policy development.  This funding will be used to create a fully functioning center which will develop a comprehensive database for research purposes, train health care professionals, research policy initiatives, and develop social marketing campaigns.  

$95,312 – Visually Impaired Preschool Services
Visually Impaired Preschool Services is nationally recognized for the services they provide to blind and visually impaired children and their families, as well as in-home intervention, school consultations, and educational materials.  This funding will be used to support a fully functioning preschool to meet the specific needs of the most severely visually impaired children in order to prepare them to fully participate in mainstream classrooms.  Skills taught will include pre-Braille, orientation and mobility, and daily living skills. 

$144,427– Project One, Summer Earnings and Enrichment Program
The Summer Earnings and Enrichment Program is dedicated to the successful transition of youth into productive adulthood.  This funding will be used to serve 1,000 economically disadvantaged youth by providing summer job placement, workforce skills training, tutoring, mentoring, and other educational and support services.  The goal of this project is to ensure that at-risk students can pursue post-secondary education or career opportunities while achieving self-sufficiency and moving out of poverty.

$95,312 – Louisville Men’s Health Program 
It is documented that men seek preventative healthcare far less than women, and live shorter lives.  In fact, the death rate age-adjusted death rate for men is 50 percent higher than the rate for women.  The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness’ Men’s Health Program will examine specific methods for improving and providing preventative healthcare to men.  This funding will be used to address issues such as violence, disease, obesity prevention, oral health, stress management, and other preventative health care methods.  By partnering with a broad-based coalition of education groups, social service providers, and other community organizations, this project seeks to reduce the high prevalence of violence, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in at-risk populations.