May 2019
Monthly News and Updates
Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Individuals: How to Be An Ally
The Safe Space workshop is a dynamic and hands-on approach to creating safe space for all; focusing specifically on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community. From the classroom bully to the unintentional exclusion by the use of certain language, LGBTQIA people frequently find themselves excluded and uncomfortable in a variety of settings. Click here to register for the Safe Space workshop.
2019 Youth Development & Mentoring Symposium

More than 100 youth development practitioners, directors and administrators attended the Annual Youth Development and Mentoring Symposium May 14-16 at the Universities at Shady Grove. Symposium attendees participated in 27 breakout workshops, roundtable discussions and panel presentations spotlighting the value of the Collaboration Council’s Community of Practice and Systems of Care and Out of School Time/Excel Beyond the Bell Network. Participants discussed the latest research, innovations and best practices on topics such as Social Emotional Learning, Increasing Engagement of Middle and High School Youth, Cultivating Resources for Girls of Color, and Hope, Help, Strength: Resilience Programming and Language for Talking to Youth and Young Adults about Mental Health. Nationally recognized keynote speakers included Fausto Lopez, American Institutes for Research; Angel S. Harris, Assistant Legal Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund; and Juan Velez Court, Mental Health and Anti- Addiction Services Administration, Puerto Rico.  

 As a special addition to this year’s agenda, three distinguished advocates were recognized for their contributions to children, youth, and families. The Champion for Maryland Children award was presented to Sen. Nancy J. King on behalf of the Maryland Local Management Boards. Two Time Well Spent awards were presented to Pamela R. Jones, President and CEO of Crittenton Services of Greater Washington; and Lupi Quinteros-Grady, CEO of Latin American Youth Center. 
Thank you to everyone who attended and made the Annual Youth Development and Mentoring Symposium a success. Thanks to the Governor’s Office on Children and Cafritz Foundation for their generous investment.   Click here for highlights from the 2019 Youth Development and mentoring Symposium.
Three Cheers for Another Great Excel Beyond the Bell Season and Montgomery County’s Out of School Time Advocates!


Excel Beyond the Bell middle school programs closed out this year’s programming on May 16 th in a series of celebrations ranging from dance recitals to carnivals and Superhero themed extravaganzas! With EBB Elementary programs set to celebrate another successful year of engaging youth and partnering with families on June 7 th , EBB will have served over 3,000 youth this program year. This success is due to the amazing and committed collaboration now in its 8 th year of the Montgomery County Recreation Department, the Montgomery County Collaboration Council and the Montgomery County Public Schools with the consistent support of the Montgomery County Council. 

Through the supportive efforts of the Montgomery County Council, especially Councilmembers Reimer, Albornoz and Jawando, Excel Beyond the Bell will see another year of expansion, now scheduled to add 4 new Elementary sites in January 2020, bringing EBB to a total of 18 schools around the county. The middle school afterschool opportunities will also see growth with the addition of 3 new Rec Extra programs. Thus far, this has been a year where our County has spoken very loudly about the value and impact of quality out-of-school time programs for our youth and it will pay off in amazing experiences and success stories. 

One such success story was shared by the newest EBB Middle School Leader Ms. Daniela Belmonte-Rangel who heads up our programs at both Key and Loeiderman Middle Schools. At this spring’s recital for EBB participants from our ClancyWorks Dance programs at Forest Oak, Clemente, and Loiederman Middle Schools, Daniela and Adrienne Clancy, Executive Director of ClancyWorks, shared a story of how afterschool can lead to a lifetime of success. Daniela shared with middle school ClancyWorks participants her story of being a ClancyWorks participant when she was in middle school as well. Since then, Daniela has gone on to establish herself as a leader bringing youth programming to youth in the County always reflecting on how afterschool and ClancyWorks changed her life. Daniela has partnered with ClancyWorks at her afterschool programs this year looking to help the next generation of youth find the same support and opportunity that she did as a youth. 
Opioid Community Forum
Join us on Thursday, June 6 th  from 1-3 pm at Rockville Senior Center for the 4 th  Know the Risks about Opioids community forum. The forum will feature presentations to seniors, caregivers and families about:
 
·         The effects of opioid use and misuse
·         Pain management alternatives
·         Safe disposal and proper storage of  prescription opioids.
 
Presentations will be delivered by Albertsons’ pharmacy resident, Victoria Zhu (PharmD) and Corporal Ken Mattney from the City of Rockville Police Department.
 
We hope to see you there!
Be an Advocate for Youth Mental Health
The Montgomery County Collaboration Council convenes the Bridges to the Future - Interagency Advisory Team (IAT) which is comprised of representatives from agencies in Montgomery County that serve transitional-age youth and young adults (Y/YA) with mental health challenges ages 16-21 years old. This cross-system collaborative team is brought together through a common desire to provide the best continuum of services and supports to create a smoother pathway for a healthy transition into adulthood. The team shares successes, identifies barriers to services, and collectively addresses needed policy or program changes. The IAT is the local “barrier busters” for Y/YA at both the program and system level. Members of the team are critical to the success of Bridges to the Future Initiative and to the Y/YA that it serves. Click here to read the full IAT report.

A word from our Prevention Coordinator

Fentanyl, also known by the street names “china girl or china white”, is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and 30-50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl in its purest form is a grainy white powder, with crystals similar to table salt. However, when prescribed by a physician, fentanyl can be administered as an injection, nasal spray, patch or lozenge to treat severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain or the management of pain post-surgery.

Click here to read more.

Councilmember Evan Glass Launches LGBTQ Pride Events Across Montgomery County


Councilmember Evan Glass (At-Large) announces a series of LGBTQ events that he will be hosting throughout Montgomery County during the month of June to celebrate Pride. To learn more and register for events click here .