Montgomery County Recreation to Participate in Senate Afterschool Caucus Briefing on Afterschool, Summer Learning Programs’ Response to Opioid Abuse on Tuesday, May 22

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 21, 2018

Tuesday, May 22: 1:30 p.m.

Montgomery County Recreation Specialist Tiffany Nelson will be one of four experts in afterschool and summer learning programs from around the nation that will speak at a congressional briefing on Tuesday, May 22, focusing on the role afterschool and summer learning programs play in combating the opioid crisis and preventing substance abuse. These experts will discuss their work to increase resilience among young people, support positive youth development, prevent future substance abuse among youth and children, and help young people develop the skills to respond to substance abuse in their families and communities.

The briefing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at 902 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

The scheduled 75-minute briefing will be moderated by Mavis Nimoh of the Afterschool Leadership Circle and the United Way of Rhode Island. Other speakers include Thomas Azzarella, director, Alaska Afterschool Network; Nila Cobb, 4-H, West Virginia University Extension Specialist – Healthy Living; and Stacey Busby, director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Tennessee Valley.

The president’s FY19 budget proposal would eliminate funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the chief federal funding stream for afterschool and summer learning programs. The House and Senate rejected a similar White House proposal for the FY18 budget.

Tuesday’s briefing is hosted by the Senate Afterschool Caucus, co-chaired by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tina Smith (D-MN). The briefing is provided in partnership with the Office of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Office of Sen. Tina Smith, the Afterschool Alliance, After-School All-Stars, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Coaching Corps., Communities In Schools, Forum for Youth Investment, Girls Inc., National 4-H Council, National League of Cities, National Recreation and Park Association, and the YMCA of the USA. The briefing is open to media.

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Media Contact: Carmen Berrios Martinez 240-777-6875