Norwalk, CT – Congressman Jim Himes will host a roundtable focused on reducing youth substance abuse and will also announce $1.875 million in federal grant funding for drug-free communities programs on Friday, February 21 at 11 a.m. at the Norwalk Community Health Center.
Panelists for the roundtable will include representatives from the grant recipient organizations: Denique Weidema-Lewis, Director of Prevention at the Partnership for Positive Directions, Kiersten Naumann, Program Coordinator at the Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking (TPAUD, Trumbull’s Prevention Partnership) & Drugs Program Coordinator and Shari Shapiro, Executive Director at Greenwich Together (Kids in Crisis). Additional panelists will include Commissioner of Greenwich’s Department of Human Services, Dr. Alan Barry and Norwalk Deputy Police Chief, James Walsh.
“I hear from families all too often who have been impacted by the effects of youth substance abuse. I will continue to work alongside community organizations as well as partners at the state and local levels to reduce youth substance abuse across Connecticut,” said Himes. “My staff and I are proud to announce these federal grants and know the funding will go a long way to reduce and prevent youth substance abuse.”
The grant recipient panelists will announce how their organizations intend to utilize the federal grant funding and the panelists overall will discuss measures to reduce and prevent substance abuse and addiction in our communities. Audience members are invited to ask questions of the panelists.
Last month, Congressman Himes announced that Kids in Crisis, the Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking & Drugs (TPAUD) and Positive Directions received a combined $1.875 million over the next five years in Drug-Free Communities federal grants to reduce youth substance abuse. These grants will fund local solutions to combat substance abuse by young people will strengthen our overall community efforts.