CONGRESSMAN COSTA ANNOUNCES FUNDS AWARDED TO FRESNO COUNTY

Fresno, CA - Today, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) announced that Fresno County will receive approximately $560,000 from the United States Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.

"These funds play an integral role in the county's ability to maintain a safe environment in which residents can thrive," Congressman Costa said.

The Fresno County Sheriff Department will receive $110,000 for the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction programs.  A portion of these funds, from the US Department of Justice, will be used to improve laboratory infrastructure and analysis capacity which will allow the Sheriff's Department to process DNA samples efficiently and cost effectively.  The remainder will be used to analyze backlogged forensic DNA casework.

Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno will receive approximately $450,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration, of the Department of Health and Human Services.  The grant money allocated under the Health Care and Other Facilities Program will be used to improve facilities and purchase equipment for an outpatient care clinic at Community Regional Medical Center.

"Realizing the full potential of DNA and medical technology is important in our efforts to provide the best technologies possible for our communities," Costa concluded.