FUNDING PROVIDED FOR UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA’S CITRUS CANKER PROGRAM AND ALACHUA COUNTY’S MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Washington, Mar 11, 2009 - “I am very pleased that the House and Senate approved funding for two important projects in Alachua County,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). “The Omnibus Appropriations Act includes $1,217,000 for the University of Florida’s research efforts on citrus canker and $550,000 for Alachua County’s mental health program.”

“The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida is improving technologies for the treatment, detection, and control of citrus diseases,” explained Stearns. “The other project will help Alachua County manage offenders with co-occurring mental illness and substance disorders. This innovative approach could alleviate jail overcrowding and reduce the recidivism rate.”