Napolitano Secures Millions in Critical Funding for Local Water Projects, Youth ChalleNGe & Mental Health

Statement

Today, the House of Representatives passed FY20 Appropriations bills, which included funding secured by Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte) for local clean water and drinking projects, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, and life-saving mental health services.

"I am very pleased the bills we passed include much of the critical funding I requested on behalf of San Gabriel Valley residents, agencies, and businesses," Napolitano said. "From greater investment in clean water and dam safety, to helping at-risk youth and expanding mental health services, it prioritizes the well-being of hard-working families in our region and across the nation. I will continue to work with the federal agencies to ensure that this funding is spent to meet the needs of the people of my district."

The spending bills will now go to the Senate for consideration later this week and then to the President's desk for his signature. Napolitano requested the following priorities for her district and the Southern California region, and received the following funding levels:

Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program -- $1.638 billion

These funds are used by local water agencies and cities to treat waste water and storm water.
Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program - $1.126 Billion

These funds are used by local water agencies and cities to install safe drinking water systems for our residents.
Water Recycling and WaterSmart - $118,600,000

These funds are used by local water agencies and cities to provide affordable and long term water supply in our region with effective water recycling projects.
Water Replenishment District GRIP Water Recycling Project - $4,200,000

This will fund an important water recycling project in our region.
Dam Safety Upgrades at Whittier Narrows Dam -- At least $2.5 million but could be increased early next year

These funds will be used by the Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate the dam safety upgrades that are needed at Whittier Narrows Dam to protect our residents from an extreme storm and flooding event.
Los Angeles County Disposition of Flood control channels from the Army Corps of Engineers to the County - $2 million for all federal disposition studies

Some of these funds will be used in Los Angeles County to transfer flood control responsibilities to the County as they can better manage our local stormwater channels.
Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants - $28 million

These funds are used by local water agencies and cities to construct projects that address stormwater capture and retention for local water use.
Water Workforce Development - $1 million

These funds are used by local water agencies and educational institutions to train the next generation of workers in the water sector.
National Guard Youth Challenge Program - $200,000,000

The NGYCP is a joint federal-state partnership run by the National Guard that enhances the life skills, education levels, and employment potential for at-risk youth by providing them the opportunity to earn their high school diploma or GED, at no cost.

California has three programs: Sunburst Youth Academy located on the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Grizzly Youth Academy is located at Camp San Luis Obispo, and the Discovery ChalleNGe Academy in Stockton. Congresswoman Napolitano is working to bring a fourth program to Southern California.
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant - $722,571,000

The MHBG awards funding to states to supplement existing and/or new mental health services.
National Institute of Mental Health - $2,038,374,000

Continued investments in research conducted by NIMH will aid in developing rapid, effective treatments for behavioral health disorders and facilitate early identification and intervention.
Loan Repayment Program for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Workforce - $12,000,000

Funding for this program will work to expand the substance abuse treatment workforce by providing loan repayment for eligible mental and behavioral health professionals working full-time in high-need communities.

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