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) announced today that Christ Community Health Services Inc. will be receiving a grant of $5,416,771 from the Department of Health and Human Services for its ongoing work meeting the needs of the medically underserved.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"This significant grant will help Christ Community Health Services meet the medical care necessities of Memphians most in need, and I applaud its dedication."
Congressman Steve Cohen
Recently, I testified before the House Budget Committee to advocate for a people-oriented budget that would build a stronger and healthier nation. If our budget is to truly reflect our values, it is time to significantly increase non-defense spending to combat compelling needs at home.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be receiving a $470,098 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct research into schizophrenia.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"St. Jude is our premier medical institution dealing with childhood illnesses. I'm pleased to announce St. Jude will be receiving this substantial funding to continue its groundbreaking research to identify the causes of schizophrenia and the best ways to treat the complex disease."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be receiving a Cancer Support Center grant of $6,533,713 from the National Cancer Institute, and made the following statement:
"St. Jude is the premier hospital specializing in the fight against childhood cancers. This substantial grant will allow St. Jude to continue to lead as an outstanding institution and employer in Memphis, and I am pleased this grant will permit it to continue its important work."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be receiving a $403,875 grant to conduct endocrinological research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"St. Jude is always at the forefront of medical research on childhood illnesses and its employees contribute greatly to our community's cultural awareness and diversity. I'm pleased to announce this grant award to advance its important work."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for, and the House passed, two spending bills to reopen the Departments of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture in an effort to end the destructive, ongoing Trump government shutdown, and made the following statement:

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act to help address America's unacceptably high infant mortality rate with concrete measures. If enacted, the bill would create infant-mortality focused pilot programs in the highest-risk areas of the country to help those areas most in need address this problem.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Porter-Leath will be receiving a $2,330,982 Early Head Start grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Office, and made the following statement:
"Early Head Start helps at-risk children under three years old develop the necessary skills to give them a shot at the American Dream. I'm pleased to announce this continuing grant funding for Porter-Leath which has helped meet the needs of Memphis' children and their families since 1850."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) praised final passage of the Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Training Program (H.R. 767) today on a 386 to 6 vote, a measure to provide training to health care professionals on identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) last week wrote to Governor Bill Haslam asking him to consider potential clemency for Cyntoia Brown, a juvenile victim of sex trafficking convicted of murder as an adult and currently serving a life sentence.
The letter, sent December 10, can be seen here.