news

ALBANY, NY – Congressman Paul D. Tonko today announced more than $1.8 million in federal funding for several Capital Region health programs supporting a range of vital new projects.  These grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will support projects to improve outreach to at-risk youth in the City of Schenectady through Safe Inc. of Schenectady and will fund research on early screening for Alzheimer’s disease and innovative new therapeutics for blood diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.  Congressman Tonko provided letters of support to request funding for both projects at Safe Inc.

“Recent years have shown us the vital importance of significant federal investment in local public health infrastructure,” Congressman Tonko said.  “As we make these investments, we must also make certain that no members of our community are left behind.  I’m proud to have succeeded in my efforts to fund two new programs for Safe Inc. to bolster their outreach to Schenectady’s at-risk street youth by hiring more full-time staff and supporting their Safe House emergency youth shelter.  Combined with new funding to support critical research into innovative new diagnostics and therapeutics, these grants will help Capital Region organizations provide care to those who need it most while also maintaining our region’s position as a high-tech hub for research.  I’m pleased to have secured this critical funding, and I’ll keep working to deliver for our region.”

“Safe Inc. of Schenectady is beyond thrilled to be awarded the Basic Center Program (BCP) Grant and the Street Outreach Program (SOP) Grant,” a spokesperson for Safe Inc. said.  “The BCP grant will allow us to continue operating the only certified youth emergency shelter in Schenectady County.  Safe Inc. lost the SOP grant funding when the three-year grant ended in 2014 and the timing could not be better for our agency to receive this funding once again. Our current street outreach worker has made strong connections within the county including the police department to locate and assist homeless individuals.  The SOP grant funding will allow us to reach more youth that are at risk of running away and becoming trafficked to survive on the streets.  In this digital age, youth are enticed by online offers that put them at great risk.  Having a full-time street outreach program allows us to be more present in the community to let youth know we are here for them.  Safe Inc. of Schenectady is so very grateful to receive both grants to allow us to do the important work we do for underserved youth population.”

This round of HHS grants for our Capital Region, totaling $1,868,346, includes:

• $200,000 for Safe Inc. of Schenectady to support their Safe House emergency youth shelter, the only such certified shelter in Schenectady County
• $150,000 for Safe Inc. of Schenectady to hire a full-time Street Outreach Case Manager and a full-time Street Outreach Worker to educate the community and provide support services to youth facing homelessness and human trafficking.
• $996,212 for Vascular Vision Pharmaceuticals to support research into new therapeutics for blood diseases like sickle cell anemia
• $306,974 for Early Alzheimer’s Diagnostics LLC to support research on early screening for Alzheimer’s Disease based on blood spectroscopy
• $215,160 for Albany Medical College to support exploratory research into therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis

###