On Tuesday, VPOST attended Punchbowl News’ Youth Mental Health Summit. This event brought together state leaders, advocates, and youth-serving organizations, including Senator Creigh Deeds, Delegate Marcia Price, Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Voices for Virginia’s Children, and Blue Sky Fund.

The Meta settlement was part of the conversation. Speakers kept returning to the question of how settlement dollars will be used and who will benefit.

The coalition was named. Voices for Virginia’s Children, a Fund IRL coalition member, highlighted the coalition as a leader in finding solutions. VPOST thanks them for carrying the message into the room. We were also proud to see Blue Sky Fund, another coalition member organization, share how they get children and youth off screens and outdoors.

“Holistic” was the word of the day. Across sectors, speakers agreed that young people need comprehensive support systems: caring relationships, a sense of belonging, opportunities for exploration, and supportive environments. Those are exactly what out-of-school time (OST) programs provide every day.

Why it matters for Fund IRL. The more decision-makers hear this, the stronger the case becomes that settlement resources should reach the youth-serving organizations already on the ground supporting young people’s mental wellness.