WASHINGTON – The U.S. House today gave final approval to the 2010 appropriation bill that contains $400,000 requested by Rep. Neil Abercrombie targeted to Catholic Charities Hawaii in Honolulu.

The organization will design an independent living demonstration project that addresses the need for a trained workforce to provide in-home, non-medical services to help senior citizens live independently.

“This comes at a critical time as senior centers are losing funding and need to be able to explore alternative means of sustaining, refining and adding needed services,” said Jerry Rauckhorst, Catholic Charities Hawai`i president and chief executive officer. “This project will help Oahu senior centers build a wellness network to sustain and serve elders who want to remain active and independent.”

The appropriations bill funds the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, Health & Human Services and other related federal agencies.

Abercrombie also included $200,000 in the legislation to expand the Lifelines Hawaii suicide prevention program administered by the Coalition for Drug Free Hawaii, and $100,000 for the Gregory House’s case management system for people with AIDS.

The appropriations bill also contains $47 million in funding for Native Hawaiian Health Care primary care and disease-prevention services and education requested by Abercrombie and Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, and $12 million for vocational education for Native Hawaiian and Alaska Natives.

Hawaii will also share in nearly $76 million in funding for national education projects, including the Center for Civic Education, Reading Is Fundamental, Teach For America and Reach Out and Read.