2018 Alaska Afterschool Champions: Sen. Cathy Giessel & Rep. Matt Claman

In the spring of 2018, Senator Giessel and Representative Claman lead a successful legislative effort to create the Alaska Marijuana Education and Treatment Fund, which established the Positive Youth Development Afterschool Grant Program. This new grant program will expand access to afterschool and summer learning programs for the 45,000 kids in Alaska waiting to be engaged in positive out-of-school-time activities. Research shows that youth engaged in high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs are less likely to engage in risk behaviors, such as substance use.