Washington, D.C. – June 19, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, “I am always pleased to report on grant funding for our islands,” said Amata. “These essential grant awards will fund important projects that serve our people, including restoring property that was damaged by the 2009 tsunami, and reducing the progression of substance abuse on the islands,” stated Amata.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention has awarded a grant in the amount of $735,018 to the American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services, Prevention Fa’aSamoa Project. This project was first initiated in 2009 with the goals of reducing substance abuse related problems; preventing the onset and reducing the progression of substance abuse disorders; strengthening prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels in support of prevention; and leveraging, redirecting, and realigning statewide funding sources for substance abuse prevention. Since 2012, the program has concentrated on addressing two of the nation’s top emerging substance abuse prevention priorities: underage drinking, and prescription drug misuse and abuse among young people.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Rural Development has awarded a grant in the amount of $25,000 to the Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) to replace/purchase office furniture for the bank’s new office building in Pago Pago. The 2009 Tsunami caused devastating damage to the DBAS office building, prompting the need for the new building and furnishings.
“I want to thank Jilla Piroozamandi of DBAS, Tu’umafua O. Maiava of the American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services and all others who worked to secure this much needed funding for these important projects that help serve our people. I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to ensure that American Samoa receives all available funding for significant projects like these,” concluded Amata.
