After two years of not being able to meet with congressional and agency leaders in Washington, D.C., due to COVID restrictions, Adult & Teen Challenge CEO, Gary Blackard, met with key leaders last week. This visit opened doors for continued dialogue on how the faith-based, Christ-centered community is making a difference in recovery. Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders are at an all-time high in the United States. These meetings enabled Blackard to speak into the value ATC provides thousands across the nation, emphasizing that faith makes the difference.
Blackard met with Anne M. Herron, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (OIEA). The activities of the Office include establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with Federal, State, Tribal, and community health providers to disseminate SAMHSA resources and to inform the development of SAMHSA policy and programs. The Office engages in liaison work in such areas as: disaster and emergency management; service members, veterans, and military families; tobacco and health; financing and regulatory affairs; policy coordination of block grants; and management of SAMHSA’s National Advisory Councils.
This was a very positive meeting with Herron. She is familiar with the ministry ATC is doing across the nation and encouraged Blackard to continue and grow the good work.
He also had meetings with the health policy advisors for Senators Hawley, Blunt, Capito, Casey, and Manchin as well as the health policy advisors for Congressmen Wenstrup, Smith, and Luetkemeyer. He also met with Senator Hawley and Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler where she made it very clear how enthusiastic she was about the services ATC provides. Congresswoman Hartzler has visited ATC in her state of Missouri and supports what we do.
Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler with Gary Blackard
Commander Kenneth Hodder and Commissioner Jolene Hodder with Gary Blackard
After two years of not being able to meet with congressional and agency leaders in Washington, D.C., due to COVID restrictions, Adult & Teen Challenge CEO, Gary Blackard, met with key leaders last week. This visit opened doors for continued dialogue on how the faith-based, Christ-centered community is making a difference in recovery. Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders are at an all-time high in the United States. These meetings enabled Blackard to speak into the value ATC provides thousands across the nation, emphasizing that faith makes the difference.
Blackard met with Anne M. Herron, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (OIEA). The activities of the Office include establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with Federal, State, Tribal, and community health providers to disseminate SAMHSA resources and to inform the development of SAMHSA policy and programs. The Office engages in liaison work in such areas as: disaster and emergency management; service members, veterans, and military families; tobacco and health; financing and regulatory affairs; policy coordination of block grants; and management of SAMHSA’s National Advisory Councils.
This was a very positive meeting with Herron. She is familiar with the ministry ATC is doing across the nation and encouraged Blackard to continue and grow the good work.
He also had meetings with the health policy advisors for Senators Hawley, Blunt, Capito, Casey, and Manchin as well as the health policy advisors for Congressmen Wenstrup, Smith, and Luetkemeyer. He also met with Senator Hawley and Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler where she made it very clear how enthusiastic she was about the services ATC provides. Congresswoman Hartzler has visited ATC in her state of Missouri and supports what we do.
