City Groups Win Fed Funds to Create 'Promise Neighborhoods'

The federal government is trying to replicate nation-wide, a local program that provides comprehensive support for children and families from pregnancy through college and career.

Over 300 communities across the US applied for Department of Education grants of up to 500-thousand dollars to set up what the Obama administration calls Promise Neighborhoods.  21 winners were announced yesterday including two organizations in New York -- the Lutheran Medical Center and Family Health Centers in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and the Abyssinian Development Corporation in Harlem.

The Promise Neighborhoods program is modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone, which was founded by former businessman Geoffrey Canada.

The Promise Neighborhoods were part of President Obama's presidential campaign platform.  He's requested $210 million in the 2011 budget to implement the program.