The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Nov. 6 that will direct $300,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County's Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Aging in Place initiative.

The FY 2008 appropriations bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human services, and Education contained a request by Rep. Rush Holt (D-Dist. 12) to federally fund the Monmouth federation's NORC project.

If signed by President Bush, the $300,000 will allow the federation to participate in a national NORC Aging in Place initiative, according to federation executive director Howard Gases.

The initiative is aimed at older adults who want to continue living in their homes and communities despite potential or current health problems.

Based on eight pilot programs throughout New Jersey, the initiative would promote the delivery of more cost-effective health and support services, greater cooperative health promotion, crises prevention, and community improvement measures, according to Holt.

The initiative also would develop new human, financial, and neighborhood resources that would benefit older residents.

In Monmouth County, the Greenbriar neighborhood in Marlboro would be the initiative's beneficiary, Gases told NJ Jewish News.

"I'm cautiously optimistic that we will receive the funds for the NORC Aging in Place initiative," Gases said. "It would be an exciting and wonderful thing for all those at Greenbriar. But we realize that the appropriations bill still needs the president's signature."

If the federation does receive the $300,000, it will set up meetings with other community agencies to discuss the services that will be used to improve the lives of Greenbriar residents, he said.

"I want to meet with other community organizations to see how we can work together," said Gases. "I want us to discuss how the money can best provide services for those at Greenbriar.

"I applaud and thank Rep. Holt and his staff for working on this bill," he continued. "Members of Mr. Holt's staff worked tirelessly to try and make this initiative work. It looks as if all that hard work may pay off."

If the appropriations bill passes, it also will contain Holt's request to fund two other projects in New Jersey. The bill would provide $250,000 to the Brookdale Community College Center for Excellence in Technology, Telecommunications, and Economic Development for its workforce training program and $90,000 to the Hunterdon Medical Center's Lambertville Latino Healthcare Initiative.

"The federal budget should reflect our priorities for the American people," Holt said. "I'm also pleased that this bill directs federal funding to important projects in my district. These are investments in our community and our nation, and I urge President Bush to sign this bill into law."