This year's National Night Out may have been a hot and humid one, but Team Davis supplied Skinny Dip frozen yogurt to cool things off.
Virginia Safe Schools Commission
While at a conference earlier in the month I learned about Utah's SAFE UT program. It's an innovative statewide service and mobile phone platform that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through texting along with a confidential tip program - right from their smartphone. They have licensed clinicians available 24/7 to respond to all incoming chats, texts, and calls by providing:
- supportive or crisis counseling
- mental health, or suicide related issues
- bullying, relationship problems
The success of their program has been tremendous. I was given the opportunity to present the SAFE UT program to Virginia's Safe Schools Commission. Additionally, I asked the Utah legislator who founded the program to video conference into the meeting. He shared a number of emotional stories about how this program has saved students from suicide and stopped potential school tragedies.
Blockchain Subcommittee
I held our first meeting of the Joint Committee on Technology and Science Blockchain subcommittee. We had more than 30 stakeholders in attendance. As a technology entrepreneur, it's exciting to chair a committee examining this new technology and how it can be implemented to increase efficiency and security in government record keeping.
Community Service Board Breakfast
The Community Service Board came together with other agencies to provide an overview of opportunities and challenges related to serving those in our community with mental illness. It's these types of opportunities in the off-season that help prepare me for mental health discussions during the next General Assembly Session.
A strong bi-partisan group of attendees participated, including three of my 2007 UVA Sorensen Institute Alumni: Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Dan Carey, Brenda Roberts with Congressman Scott Taylor's Office, and Diane Kaufman with Senator Tim Kaine's Office.
VSA Ribbon Cutting
I was excited to attend the ribbon cutting for Vacation Sales Associates' new office. The management team of this woman owned company are personal friends, and it has been wonderful to watch their significant growth over the past couple years. They will be adding to their portfolio of properties soon with the development of a new resort at the oceanfront.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Commission
I attended my first meeting of the FOIA Commission. We addressed a few pieces of legislation from last year that was assigned to the commission. FOIA legislation can get complicated, and in some cases a 60-day session does not provide enough time to check for potential conflicts with federal law, receive input from local governments impacted, and understand any unintended consequences. The commission's job is to undertake those responsibilities and make recommendations for legislation during the next General Assembly session.
