July 20, 2017

Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $53,226 AmeriCorps Grant to Combat Opioid Epidemic on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced that Salisbury University has been awarded a $53,226 AmeriCorps Grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund the ShoreCorps/Partnership for Adolescents on the Lower Shore (PALS) program to help combat the opioid epidemic on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

"We must use every tool at our disposal to fight the opioid epidemic that is devastating so many communities in our state. This funding will expand education and treatment programs, which are vital in our effort to tackle this crisis. It is part of the great work AmeriCorps does in Maryland and across the country, and together we will work to stop addiction and save lives," said Senator Van Hollen.

"This grant represents a federal investment in our fight to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, which continues to impact families in every corner of Maryland. We must meet that head-on with more treatment programs and outreach efforts to affected communities," said Senator Ben Cardin.

Through ShoreCorps/PALS, AmeriCorps members will engage in heroin and opioid abuse prevention and education. Eleven AmeriCorps members will provide education programming to 1,000 community members, recruiting and training 50 volunteers to expand naloxone trainings and increase awareness of drug treatment services.

AmeriCorps, which is administered by CNCS, engages approximately 85,000 individuals each year in intensive, results-driven service at more than 21,000 locations across the country.In addition to the grant funding awarded, individual AmeriCorps members who complete at least 1,700 hours of service will earn a $5,815 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to help pay for college or pay back student loans. Since 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have given more than 1 billion service hours in their communities and earned more than$3.3 billionin education awards.Interested individuals can learn about available opportunity and apply online by visiting AmeriCorps.gov.