By George P. Hassett

Somerville’s state delegation successfully increased local aid for the third straight year and secured funding for local programs such as Teen Empowerment in this year’s state budget passed earlier this month.

The $26.8 billion budget, passed July 2, will fund the Shannon anti-gang initiative, Teen Empowerment, a study of Mystic River flooding, the mediation course at Somerville High School, after school programs and organizations fighting substance abuse and homelessness in Somerville. The delegation also secured an extra $440,238 in local aid for the city in the Fiscal Year 2008, which began July 1.

“During a tough budget year, we worked together to increase funds for our schools, fund a study that explores ways to reduce flooding along the Mystic River, preserved funding for the Junior Achievement after school programs in Somerville and invested in important economic development and healthcare programs throughout the Commonwealth,” said state Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen, D-Somerville.

State Rep. Denise Provost, D-Somerville, said the money secured for youth services and public safety will be well spent.

“Youth development and violence prevention are tremendously important to our well-being,” she said.

State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Somerville, said Fiscal Year 2008 will be the third consecutive year the city‚Äôs state delegation has secured increased local aid. 

The state will fund a $100,000 study on how the use of the Amelia Earhart Dam affects flooding on the Mystic River.  This funding coupled with funds secured last year to complete a Mystic River master plan will help Somerville maximize the use of the Mystic River for economic development, Jehlen said. 

The Cambridge and Somerville Program for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation will receive $250,000 from the state to fund its services. The Junior Achievement of Eastern, Massachusetts group will receive $75,000 to fund its work, including five after school programs at the West Somerville Neighborhood School.

Somerville representatives also secured $5 million in funding to increase the personal needs allowance for residents of nursing and rest homes. The money will benefit the residents of the Somerville Home, an assisted living program for the elderly, and others like it throughout the state. The move restores the Personal Needs Allowance, a state programs that provides qualified elderly residents with addition income, from $60 per month to its previous 1991 level of $72.80 per month. The inclusion of the $5 million in the Senate budget to restore the allowance will allow residents to maintain personal dignity and enjoy small pleasures, Jehlen said. 

Just-A-Start Corp., a Cambridge-based nonprofit will receive $141,000 to initiate a housing program to prevent homelessness in Somerville and throughout Middlesex County.