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New law will help youth and youth services

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One of the many bills considered in the Maryland General Assembly this session was one that directly affects the Xtreme Teens program, as well as many other Youth Services initiatives. A bill entitled the Maryland After-School and Summer Opportunity Fund Program was introduced in both the House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate in February. Sponsored by a large group of legislators in both chambers, the bill represented a widely-supported effort to adjust the fund program that is behind the after-school and summer programs in Maryland. The bill also is intended to address issues and concerns of all youth during out-of-school time instead of only focusing on after-school childcare for elementary age children. “We hope the Bill will result in education of the Ready Framework and future resources for all young people,” said Adriane Clutter, Youth Services Specialist for Prince George’s County—resources that help to reduce idleness and connect youth to programs and opportunities that build assets.” Clutter went to the State House in Maryland’s capital, Annapolis, to lobby for the bill, but she was not alone. Teenager Ashley Green, an employee of the Conservation Job Corps program, went along with her. CJC is a summer program that provides a unique employment opportunity to teens, and Ashley was able to use her experience to explain the importance of summer and out-of-school time programs.