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ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Maria College a $449,997 grant over 3 years to help bolster the critical services its faculty, staff, alumni, and students provide for children with disabilities and their families in our Capital Region. This award comes as part of a Department of Education grant program that provides federal funding for efforts to improve services for children with disabilities across the nation. In April, Congressman Tonko submitted a letter in support of Maria College’s request for federal funding.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant infusion of federal funding that will bolster Maria College’s efforts to train the next generation of talented care providers in our Capital Region,” Congressman Tonko said. “Through innovative experiential learning initiatives and a deep connection to the local community, Maria College is already helping to bring top-notch care to countless Capital Region residents. With this award, the College will be able to expand opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to provide direct assistance to children with disabilities and their families. I congratulate all at Maria College on receiving this significant grant, and I look forward to continuing to work with their team to bolster quality care across our Capital Region.”

"Receiving this federal grant is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni," said Lynn Ortale, Ph.D., President of Maria College. "We are deeply grateful for Congressman Tonko’s steadfast support and the Department of Education’s recognition of our commitment to improving services for children with disabilities. This funding will enable us to further enhance our programs and expand our impact, ensuring that children in our Capital Region receive the highest quality care and support."

Maria College works to provide its students with opportunities for hands-on, experiential training within our communities, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. This grant will enable the College to expand and enhance its curricula and offer new clinical experiences in occupational therapy — allowing its faculty, staff, and students to serve more children with disabilities and their families in early intervention, early childhood, and educational settings.

Congressman Tonko has long been a supporter of Maria College’s efforts to leverage innovation and experiential learning to train the next generation of healthcare professionals in our Capital Region. Earlier this year, Tonko visited Maria College to celebrate the opening of the College’s Center for Academic Innovation — home to a new Virtual Reality Nursing Hub that the Congressman proudly supported through a $770,000 award from the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding process.

You can read Congressman Tonko’s full letter of support for this latest grant HERE.