Jones, Tarr Secure Funding for North Reading Program

The following was submitted by the office of Rep. Brad Jones:

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester) today announced that they were successful in securing $50,000 in funding for a child safety grant for the Town of North Reading. 

The grant, initially secured in the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, will be used to fund the Community Impact Team (CIT) - a collaboration between the North Reading Youth Services Department, Town administration, the , and numerous other town departments.

“This grant will go a long way in enabling the Town of North Reading and the Community Impact Team to raise awareness about substance abuse in the community” said Representative Jones. “The outreach programs being formed are vitally important in helping to increase public safety.”

“The Community Impact Team is developing innovative approaches to keeping kids safe, in ways that build on the strengths of the police department, the fire department, the school system, and other agencies and organizations,” said Senator Tarr.  “This funding will reward and propel this great work.”

Aimed at combating the increased reality of drug use in the community, the CIT’s goals include: identifying youth risk behaviors and developing programs to educate youth about the risks of substance abuse; inviting guest speakers and consultants to speak on a range of quality of life/social issues; and conducting alcohol compliance checks.