Agency, college benefit from bill

On Dec. 18 the U.S. House of Representatives, with the support of Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.), passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which includes $292,000 for the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County's Age in Place initiative and $243,000 for Brookdale Community College's job training program.

According to a press release, Holt secured funding for the programs in the budget bill, which President George Bush was expected to sign after the Senate passed it.

"I want to ensure that our state receives a fair return on its tax dollars, and one way to do so is to invest in quality projects that affect central New Jersey residents," Holt said. "I am pleased that this funding bill includes my request for the retirement initiative and job training program in Monmouth County."

The $292,000 for the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County - and the Greenbriar adult community in Marlboro - would allow it to participate in a national Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Aging in Place initiative, according to the press release.

Older adults want to remain living in their homes and communities, even as they grow frail. This initiative, based on eight pilot programs located throughout New Jersey, would promote the delivery of more cost-effective health and supportive services, greater cooperative health promotion, crises prevention, and community improvement initiatives. The initiative would also develop new human, financial, and neighborhood resources for the benefit of older residents, according to the press release from Holt.

The $243,000 for Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, would go to the development of the Center for Excellence in Technology, Telecommunications and Economic Development to provide learning and training for incumbent, unemployed, and underemployed workers.

The center will also work with local teachers to strengthen their ability to teach math and science. The workforce near and at Fort Monmouth, Eatontown, would also benefit from the technology training services at the center, according to Holt.