Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that he successfully included $21.7 million in federal funding for 15 projects to benefit Contra Costa County in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 2617), which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 225-to-201 and will soon be signed into law by President Biden.
Also included in the bill is language Congressman DeSaulnier authored to add the Nystrom Elementary School to the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historic Park.
“My priority in Congress is that I work for you to improve your daily lives and the funding included in this bill will do just that by bolstering public safety, reducing commute times and improving quality of life, increasing access to education, and more,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I could not be prouder to have secured this funding for our community in partnership with local agencies.”
“I am also delighted that the critical role families in Richmond and West Contra Costa County played in our nation’s World War II home front effort is being recognized. By expanding the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historic Park, visitors will learn more about the East Bay’s trailblazing history,” concluded Congressman DeSaulnier.
The 15 projects included in the bill are:
- $3,000,000 for the 100 38th Street Supportive and Family Affordable Apartments for Formerly Homeless, Veterans, and Large Families Project being undertaken by Eden Housing Inc.
- $500,000 for Choice in Aging, Pleasant Hill, CA for increasing access to and awareness of community-based alternatives to nursing homes
- $631,200 for the Citywide Traffic System Upgrade Phase 2 Project in the City of Concord
- $3,000,000 for the Concord-Port Chicago Building Restoration Project being undertaken by East Bay Regional Park District
- $1,000,000 for the Construction Trades Workforce Initiative’s construction apprenticeship program in the East Bay
- $1,000,000 for the Contra Costa Community College District for an open educational resources project to reduce textbook expenses for students
- $600,000 for the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program, Inc. of Contra Costa for mental health services and education programming for former foster youth
- $150,000 for the First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, for a childcare workforce compensation assessment to build a sustainable, well-compensated pipeline of childcare professionals
- $4,185,000 for the Lamorinda Smart Signal System Project
- $300,000 for the Office of Neighborhood Safety Community Violence Intervention Programs Project in Richmond
- $470,000 for Opportunity Junction’s Antioch medical assistant job training program and supportive services
- $3,100,000 for the School Street Safe Routes to School Project in Lafayette
- $1,180,000 for the Strategies for Supporting Youth in the Community Project for the Contra Costa County Probation Department to help law enforcement minimize violence and reduce arrests of young adults
- $105,000 for White Pony Express to add three local schools in Pittsburg, Brentwood, and Martinez to its School Pantry Program to support the nutritional needs of low income children in school
- $2,520,000 for the Ygnacio Valley Road Fiber Infrastructure Project in Walnut Creek
“We are very grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for securing these vital federal funds, which will make our communities’ intersections safer and traffic move more smoothly and efficiently,” said former Mayor of Orinda, Amy Worth.
“We are so deeply grateful for the Congressman’s support of our work at Choice in Aging that provides our community the opportunity to learn, grow, and age independently with dignity in community,” said Choice in Aging President and CEO, Debbie Toth. “This funding could not have come at a better time as our frail elders are still dying from COVID and at extreme risk in skilled nursing facilities. This funding will allow us to increase our capacity to provide the community-based health and social supports that prevent premature and unnecessary institutionalization of those at greatest risk.”
“We appreciate the work of Congressman DeSaulnier in securing funding for our project to provide this critical evidence-based training model for all law enforcement agencies in Contra Costa County,” said Chief of Contra Costa County Probation Department, Es Ehmen-Krause. “This opportunity will afford our officers with the tools necessary to effectively engage with youth in our communities. By making this training widely available and with its specific focus on youth development, we anticipate future encounters with youth will result in outcomes that have fewer negative impacts on their lives. In partnership with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the greater community, we believe our County, and most importantly, our young people, will benefit greatly for years to come.”
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 also makes significant investments for families, veterans, and workers by expanding quality, affordable health care, increasing benefits for veterans, and delivering critical emergency disaster relief to states.
The projects Congressman DeSaulnier secured funding for were subject to a strict transparency and accountability process, which is detailed here by the Appropriations Committee. Examples of this vetting include certifying that Members have no financial interest in these projects, an audit of a sampling of these projects by the Government Accountability Office, and a requirement for demonstrated community support and engagement for each submission. Funding for these projects is expected to be disbursed in short order.
