Children and Families
It is important to provide all children and families access to a quality, affordable education and healthcare to help them secure a prosperous future. As a member of Congress, I have championed for legislation that makes it easier for Americans to balance work and family responsibilities, expands support for foster youth care, and serves the needs of children with special behavioral health needs and/or medical disabilities. I also firmly believe that assisting families in their pursuit of higher education is critical for our nation’s growth and success.
More on Children and Families
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that three artistic projects in Memphis will be receiving a total of $35,000 in grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that 27 local Memphis homelessness assistance programs will be receiving a total of $6.6 million in “continuum of care” grants to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Last year, there was a 2.7 percent increase in homelessness nationally, with 567,715 people counted as homeless on a single night.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that two Head Start programs in Memphis will be receiving major grants from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Head Start. The Shelby County Board of Education will receive $12,163,727 and Porter-Leath will receive $1,185,656 to further their work in early childhood development.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Memphis will be receiving a Choice Neighborhoods Supplemental Grant of $4 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“I was proud to be a part of the dedication ceremonies at Foote Park in September and am pleased to announce this supplemental grant to expand on the major improvements to a historic Memphis neighborhood.”
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WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for one of two comprehensive spending measures funding federal government programs through the end of fiscal year in September 2020. Both measures passed the House, averting another government shutdown. The measure the Congressman supported provides a record high level of spending on the National Institutes of Health, Child Care and Community Development Block Grants, Head Start, Title 1 Education, and Food for Peace.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Center and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will each be receiving a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to continue their critical research. St. Jude will receive $376,950 for its work on chromatin modifiers from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. UTHSC will receive $495,854 for its work on metabolism and diabetes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive a $695,409 grant from the National Cancer Institute for cancer research.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“I’m pleased to announce that St. Jude will receive this important funding to continue its research into childhood cancers at the nation’s premier childhood cancer research hospital. This critical funding will permit St. Jude to make new discoveries, improve therapies, and support the hospital’s dedicated employees.”
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today applauded the Tennessee Department of Human Services announcement that it would begin distributing some of the $732 million in unspent block grant funding for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Family programs that support Tennessee families. But he expressed disappointment that $342 million will still be retained as a reserve surplus.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today questioned witnesses about recent immigration raids in Mississippi and Tennessee at a field hearing of the House Committee on Homeland Security in Jackson, Mississippi.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, demanding answers regarding the state’s decision to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars to help low-income families through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.
Tennessee has the 10th highest poverty rate in the nation.
In his letter, Congressman Cohen wrote: