I wrote you 101 days ago on February 21 after the death of Arlington Public School student Sergio Flores regarding the work our community must do to keep our young people safe on substance abuse, public safety, and mental health. Today, I write with an update on progress on those issues. I also share information on the closure of one Metro station in Arlington and on how to vote early, which I did yesterday.
A picture of one of National Capital Treatment and Recovery's programs for Adult Women--Arlington County has engaged to re-open a program for youth in light of the increased need.
Arlington Public Schools and Arlington County has taken several key steps since I last wrote you regarding the challenges we have been facing:
Opened a program for youth facing substance abuse challenges, through National Capital Treatment and Recovery.
Funded 4 positions at our high schools so that youth will be able to get mental health services during the school days without having to leave campus in some cases.
Funded an additional 12 counseling and substance abuse services in the Arlington Public Schools Budget, with County Board support.
Added NARCAN distribution in schools and training thousands as well as allowing high school students to administer NARCAN training with signed permission from their parents.
Improved collaboration which was already underway between our schools and the Arlington County Police Department.
Opened our Crisis Intervention Center which will help with diversion from the hospital and help prevent our police department and sheriff's deputies from needing to spend as much time off the streets and at the hospital. (See the video below.)
The above are a few of the steps. There are more to come, including a full mental health facility at the Carlin Springs site, which we are working on by 2025. And there should and must be more to come as this is a critical body of work that we must continue to focus on.
Short 2 minute 4 second video on the opening of our Crisis Intervention Center.
I also continue to work on concerns related to Metro. The East Falls Church station must be closed from June 3rd to June 25th with bus service available in its place. The work is unfortunate, but after listening to and engaging with Metro Board Members and Metro General Manager Randy Clarke I believe it is essential. I have engaged on this work through my work on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission over the past three months. To learn more, go here: https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/2023-Major-Construction/index.cfm
I voted yesterday at the Court House. You can vote there all next week and weekdays through June 20th. For early voting information, go here: https://vote.arlingtonva.gov/Early-Voting
Last, but certainly not least, early voting has begun. We have 19 days left in this election as the Democratic Primary ends on June 20th. The primary will have a big impact on who will be elected in November so this is arguably your best chance this year to have an impact on Arlington's future.
Go here to learn more about where and when you can vote early: https://vote.arlingtonva.gov/Early-Voting And here to learn about voting by mail or on election day: https://vote.arlingtonva.gov/Home
Please vote over the next 19 days. Arlington's future depends on it.
