Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Departments of Labor-Health & Human Services-Education Appropriations Act. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy fought hard for the many Long Island community programs funded in the legislation, resulting in securing a total of $1,160,000.

"I go to work every day with the goal of working to make Long Island better," McCarthy said. "Providing funds for mental health programs, after school care for our children and promoting higher education goals all pave the road to a bright future."

Here are the Long Island programs funded:

Providing After School Care-$500,000 to the Five Towns Community Center Inc. The Five Towns Community Center Inc. will receive $500,000. The before & after-school program helps children from pre-K through fifth grade at nine sites, covering three school districts in Lawrence, Lynbrook and Hewlett. The program's goals are to reduce youth violence and gang activity; provide early intervention for at-risk children; and help families find employment, job training and benefit protection.

Saving an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic-$160,000 to the Hispanic Counseling Center in Hempstead. The center is Nassau County's only bilingual, bicultural agency licensed by the State of New York to provide treatment in mental health, alcoholism and substance abuse. The non-profit agency consistently meets the growing needs of this under-served community. The money will boost funding for the outpatient mental health clinic.

Promoting Higher Education-$200,000 for Operation Get Ahead, Inc. in Hempstead. Operation Get Ahead has been in existence for over 30 years serving the youth and families of Hempstead, Roosevelt and Freeport. Specifically, this program promotes higher education goals for Long Island youth.

Providing After-School Care-$100,000 for the Malverne After-School Center. The center has provided before- and after-school care for children ages five to 13 in the Malverne Elementary Schools for over 10 years.

Bringing More Technology to Long Island-$200,000 for Hofstra's Technology Center. Through Hofstra University's Technology Enhancement: Broadband Infrastructure program, Hofstra will use the best technologies available to educate and train their students. Funding will enable the university to expand classroom technology, provide wireless remote transmitted computer services for students and faculty, and develop software classroom teaching modules.