Tierney: $3.9M in federal spending helps North Shore

PEABODY – Renovations to the Girls Inc. headquarters in Lynn, an alternative justice program for wayward youth in Essex County, a gang violence prevention project at North Shore Community College in Lynn, and job training for nurses, are all funded in the Omnibus Appropriations Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and likely to receive Senate approval in early March.U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney, a Salem Democrat and member of key congressional subcommittees on education, labor and workforce development, said Friday the Omnibus Appropriations Act includes $3.9 million to fund projects on the North Shore.The House voted 245 to 178 in favor.”Funding for these projects will, among other things, help address important transportation priorities, mitigate flooding and erosion concerns, improve and expand job training opportunities in emerging industries, provide healthcare for our families, and prevent youth violence,” Tierney said.Among the projects with funding in the bill are the Essex County District Attorney’s Youthful Diversion Program, which offers first-time non-violent offenders between the ages of 17 and 21 certain options, including counseling and community service, instead of subjecting them to prosecution.Early intervention programs such as this hold offenders accountable for their action in a way that has a positive impact on the community and that can reduce recidivism, according to the congressman. The funding appropriation of $250,000 for fiscal 2009 will allow District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett to expand this successful program to other cities and towns in Essex County.Presuming Senate approval, Girls Inc. in Lynn will receive $237,500 for its building renovation project. The organizations provides vital educational programs to Massachusetts girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas like Lynn. These funds will be used toward ongoing construction to help resolve overcrowding at the organization in an effort to better serve more at-risk girls in the Lynn communityHealthy teeth are also part of the federal funding package. According to Tierney, the Forsyth Institute’s Cavity Prevention Program will receive $476,000 to operate “ForsythKids” ? a school-based cavity prevention programs in certain communities, including Lynn. With this funding, the Forsyth Institute is expected to expand its work to increase access to oral health care and eliminate decay in other cities and towns in Massachusetts, Tierney said.North Shore Community College’s Project YES: Gang Violence Prevention Project in Lynn, was expected to receive $400,000. The gang-related program provides anti-violence training to middle-school aged youth and provides them with the social tools they need to avoid gang involvement and lead healthy lives.The North Shore Workforce Investment Board’s nursing and allied health education/training program is slated for $238,000. This funding is for expanding the board’s program, which provides health care-related basic education and college preparatory courses for those who are employed at the entry level in health care occupations and who are interested in entering nursing and allied health college programs.The Councils on Aging in Saugus, Salem and Topsfield will receive a total of $212,800 to purchase new passenger vans. The funding will allow the three communities to buy vehicles that are accessible to physically handicapped riders and provide transportation services to senior citizens.The bill also provides $190,000 for renovation of the Lahey Clinic’s emergency room. For this appropriation, Tierney worked with U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry. The funds support construction, renovation and expansion of the regional medical facility.Newburyport was funded $601,000 to dredge Newburyport Harbor. The bulk of that appropriation will be used to dredge the harbor entrance channel, while $95,000 will be spent to halt Plum Island’s erosion problems. This funding is in addition to the $654,0