Jenniffer Gonzalez Announces 15.6 Million for Health, Training Opportunities, and School Improvements
Press Release
The resident commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, announced allocations of funds totaling $15,642,580 for Head Start programs, training opportunities and school improvements.
The Office of Head Start of the Administration for Families and Children attached to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), obtained $3,003,645 for the Network for the Rights of Children and Youth of Puerto Rico; $6,572,443 for the Municipality of Guayama; and $4,228,577 for the Municipality of Orocovis.
For its part, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the Department of Education $1,637,914.89 to repair the Escuela Superior Jardines de Ponce for damage caused by the earthquakes.
FEMA obligates the financing of these projects directly to the Government of Puerto Rico, who are responsible for ensuring that eligible subrecipients receive these funds; and after receiving proper documentation, hold funds to subrecipients on a reimbursable basis.
This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also announced the award of $200,000 to the Pathstone Corporation, whom the commission received this week at its DC office, to discuss options to offer workshops in Puerto Rico. youth on environmental issues.
The corporation will receive under the Brownfields Job Training program, which has a financing of $30 million from the Bipartite Infrastructure Law that González Colón supported. These funds are available for the next five years so communities and states will have the opportunity to apply for larger environmental grants to include and enhance existing curriculum in training programs.
PathStone Corporation of Rochester, N.Y. plans to train 60 students in Puerto Rico and place at least 41 of them in environmental jobs. The training program includes 214 hours of instruction, including courses for federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration workers, pesticide safety protection training, and asbestos, lead, and mold abatement programs.
Funded through the Agency's Brownfields Workforce Training Program, these grants provide funding to organizations working to create a trained workforce in communities where brownfield site assessment, cleanup, and preparation for reuse activities take place. People who complete an EPA-funded job training program often overcome a variety of barriers to employment. Many of these people come from historically underserved neighborhoods and reside in areas affected by environmental justice issues.
"Instead of filling local jobs with contractors from distant cities, these organizations provide training and offer residents of communities historically affected by environmental pollution, economic disinvestment and vacant land the opportunity to obtain the necessary skills and certifications. to ensure local environmental work in their communities," reads the EPA communication.
On February 9, EPA opened a session to hear comments from current and potential grant applicants regarding the BIL and the future of the Brownfields Job Training Grant Program. The session is scheduled for February 9, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. subway. a 2 p. subway. ITS T. https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1604678094
Source