Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Atlantic Region’s National Service Training in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference was held by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the entity that administers National Service programs such as AmeriCorps and Senior Corps.

I serve as a commissioner for Connecticut’s Commission on Community Service, so I attended the conference on behalf of the state. The Commission allows me to stay involved in service after completing an AmeriCorps VISTA term from 2013-2014 in Hartford.

One of my favorite sessions at the National Service Training was called “School House Rocks: The Nuts and Bolts of National Service Policy.” Tom Branen, the Chief Policy Officer from America’s Service Commissions, broke down how CNCS is funded, the current political environment around service, and how we can help advocate for it.

I also attended a panel on how National Service can address the current opioid epidemic. There were so many great things happening in other states and ideas about how service can be involved. It gave me some ideas to bring back to our work in Connecticut at the FQHCs.

Conferences are great opportunities to spark new ideas, make connections, and learn from others. This one was excellent and I can’t wait to attend again next year!

And, don’t forget – CHCACT is recruiting now for its new AmeriCorps program: Service to Impact Community Health (STICH). Learn more here!

- Kelly