WIHD Receives $547K Grant for Medical Research

From Thompson-Bender: The Westchester Institute for Human Development, one of 67 university-affiliated centers in the nation dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through education, service, and research, announced today it was awarded a federal grant of $547,000 for medical research, training and education of human services professionals, and innovative program development.

The funding was allocated through the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL).The funding , which was secured through the efforts of U.S Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, will enable WIHD’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) to continue groundbreaking research in areas like disabilities and human development.

“We are grateful that Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have secured funding for our University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities here at the Westchester Institute for Human Development. Due to this funding, we will be able to continue our work to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families through education, service, and research. We look forward to being able to better support those in our community through continuing to provide information and assistance to the people we serve, training current and future professionals, conducting cutting edge research, and cultivating our relationship with federal agencies so that we may effect meaningful change in our region and beyond.” said Dr. Susan Fox, President and CEO of the Westchester Institute for Human Development.

“Westchester Institute for Human Development is a nationally recognized hub for medical research, and this federal funding will advance that status. This federal investment will facilitate critical medical research and spur job creation in the Hudson Valley,” said Senator Schumer. “Westchester Institute for Human Development is an important component of the regional economy and its research and innovations have national significance. I will continue to work to ensure it has the resources it needs to thrive.”

“This critical federal funding will help the Westchester Institute for Human Development invest in additional resources to continue its groundbreaking medical research and health services in the Hudson Valley,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue to support more federal funding for scientific research and development at our institutions and universities, so that more New Yorkers can be inspired to do research, test their ideas, and help make our communities better places to live.”

The Westchester Institute for Human Development works to advance policies and practices that ensure the health and self-determination among people of all ages with developmental disabilities, and the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. This funding is crucial to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and will be used to bolster training, research, and program development.

HHS grant funding will be used to fund research and educational efforts related to studying disability and human development. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is a U.S. government agency within the National Institute of Health(NIH). ACL is focused on bettering the lives of Americans with disabilities, their families and caregivers.

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