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October 02, 2023

Trone, Raskin, Cardin, Van Hollen Announce Over $500,000 to Prevent Targeted Violence Against LGBTQ+ Youth

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2023

Contact: Sasha Galbreath, Sasha.Galbreath@mail.house.gov 

Trone, Raskin, Cardin, Van Hollen Announce Over $500,000 to Prevent Targeted Violence Against LGBTQ+ Youth

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressmen David Trone and Jamie Raskin and Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (all D-Md.) announced $530,000 in Department of Homeland Security grants in Montgomery County, MD to develop violence prevention programs focused on protecting LGBTQ+ youth.

The federal investment comes through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023. This funding will help the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) develop programming to address the risk of violence and negative mental health outcomes faced by LGBTQ+ youth in D.C. and Montgomery County. SMYAL’s program will provide in-school support and resilience programming for LGBTQ+ youth, training for school staff and youth service providers and support for parents and caregivers.

“The rise of targeted violence against LGBTQ+ communities demands additional investments to protect young people at risk. We know that education and training have the power to provide much-needed tools to counter hate and bias,” said the lawmakers. “Funding for these education programs and in-school supports will help expand resources so all Marylanders can feel safe in school and their communities.”

The TVTP Grant Program, administered by the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the sole U.S. federal government grant program dedicated to helping local communities develop and strengthen their capabilities in combatting targeted violence and terrorism.

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees in the 118th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders.

Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

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