Collaboration Council Newsletter
January 2018

Happy New Year 

Happy New Year! 2017 was a great year for us here at the Collaboration Council. Here are few highlights. We are looking forward to another year of partnership and service.

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Brittany Jones 
Welcome our new Prevention Coordinator: Brittany Jones 

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Prevention Coordinator, Brittany Jones, coming to us from sunny South Florida. She brings with her a strong background in substance prevention as the former Program Director of the Sober Living Outpatient Treatment Facility. Brittany received both her Bachelors and Master's degrees in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, and is currently in the last semester of her MBA at Florida Atlantic University. Brittany has over 7 years of experience in prevention, education, and treatment of substance abuse disorders. Her passion is helping those both struggling with a current drug addiction and preventing youth and adults from engaging in drug use. "I am extremely excited to be a part of the Montgomery County Collaboration Council. Raising substance abuse awareness is a vital part of building a healthy community". 
 
For more information, contact Brittany at   brittany.jones@collaborationcouncil.org
Social Justice 
On December 19th, MCPS held a kick off meeting for school-based staff to officially announce and launch their Restorative Justice work for the school year. MCPS in conjunction with the Rand Foundation, received a 1.9 million dollar grant to study the impact of restorative justice programming across multiple middle and high schools. The work will officially launch in January 2018 and run through December 2020. The funding will cover the staff time and enhanced training for staff and data analysis. Our Social Justice Director, Elijah Wheeler was invited to the launch to participate on a panel entitled "Why Restorative Justice?". Elijah notes "It was a great opportunity to not only see the level of investment that MCPS has in ensuring the well-being of its students, but also its on-going work in effectively addressing the reduction of suspensions and creation and support of positive school environments. This work helps not only students, but also MCPS staff to understand the importance of community and the fact that everyone is worthy of forgiveness and redemption."


Excel Beyond the Bell spotlight: Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center

The Excel Beyond the Bell community happily welcomed the Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center to its program offerings.  leadership and encourage them to use their gifts and strengths to promote success and balance in their lives, using the arts as a tool. LTYC supports youths ages 5-18, in the state of Maryland and D.C. with arts programs that empower them to excel in the arts, academics, and life. By providing opportunities and resources that otherwise would not be available, LTYC programs build higher self-esteem and self-worth in young people who are yearning for success.

The organization was initially birthed out of a desire to give the young people of Baltimore city the same opportunities that their counterparts, living in more affluent communities. The founders, who started LTYC in 2004, believed that students should have the same opportunities and resources, and had a firm belief that the arts could help to engage and motivate students, as well as increase academic performance. They wanted equitable access to a quality arts education. What started out as one small program in one school has grown to over 75 programs in 50 schools, and beyond Baltimore city. LTYC continues to impact students and communities through unique practices that include specialized instruction, relationship building, and performance based outcomes.

LTYC is a great success. The students who take both Martial Arts and Fashion and Cosmetology are dedicated, bright, and enthusiastic about learning. They have made great strides in the last several months having committed to the process and the journey that will lead to their final presentations. LTYC believes strongly in the work EBB is doing and could not be more thrilled and grateful to be an enrichment partner.


Community Of Practice 

Click link below for a full list of January workshops with our Community Of Practice: 

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