DMV Spotlight with Barbara Britt

DMV Spotlight shines a light on Ending Veteran Suicide. The grim statistics are well known, 17 veterans a day die by suicide. It is the second-highest cause of death for veterans under the age of 45. Guest, Juan Valdez, once a U.S. Marine who now works with the Wounded Warrior Project explains the shifting attitudes inside the military that now support active duty members making sure they are healthy in every dimension. Valdez also explains the National Suicide Hotline- 9-8-8- also works via text if that is more accessible for the person in crisis. Valdez also explained a number of programs available to veterans in need of support via the Wounded Warrior Project.

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. President and CEO Steve Kline warns if the rural and open farmlands of Maryland's Eastern Shore are not protected from new development and sprawl that would follow a new Bay Bridge ,  the slower place way of life that  Eastern shore residents love and want to sustain for future generations will disappear forever. The  Maryland Transportation Authority is in the midst of planning for a two new Chesapeake Bay Bridge Spans and has identified over 100,000 acres that would be at risk for development. Funding has not yet been approved for the new spans. Kline argues a percentage of any new Bay bridge budget should include money for land conservation for Eastern shore farmers who want to participate in protecting large swaths of land for the future.

https://www.eslc.org/marylands-eastern-shore-land-conservancy/land-conservation/

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on the annual Loudoun County Recovery Fest that highlights all the substance abuse and mental health services that are available across the county as part of Recovery Month. Guest, Evan Braff, Opioid Response Program Coordinator with the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services announced a new crisis center will be opening in Loudoun in the fall to provide immediate assistance for those facing mental and /or substance abuse crisis. Braff also notes there is more work needed to reduce stigma and barriers to care. Guest Melissa Hinton, Founder and Board Member of Serenity House and a person in Long-Term Recovery shared the need for peer-to-peer support in battling alcohol and drug abuse adding that her younger sister died after struggling with addiction. Recovery Fest is being held on Saturday, Sept 26th , 2026 at the Douglass Community Center in Leesburg, Virginia and is free , family friendly and open to the public.

https://www.loudounserenity.org/2026-recovery-fest

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on teen internet addiction and the recent META lawsuit settlement.  Dr. Clifford Susssman, a DC Psychiatrist Internet and gaming addiction specialist explains the lawsuit settlement will not solve the problem of teens becoming addicted to internet platforms but adds it will not solve the problem. Dr. Sussman compares the dopamine reaction in the brain as similar to gambling, drug and alcohol addictions that need more and more stimulation over time. Dr. Sussman also explains strategies he employs with young people to place teens in charge of their decision making when it comes to setting limits on their own screen use.

WWW.CLIFFORDSUSSMANMD.COM

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With students back in class across the DC Metro area, DMV Spotlight shines a light on Dr. Friendtastic, otherwise known as Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore who specializes in helping children learn how to be a friend and make friends in school and beyond.  Dr. Kennedy-Moore shares simple, reassuring strategies for parents to use to help their children build confidence, make connections and star the school year feeling less anxious. Her blog, Growing Friendships, on Psychology Today, has over 5 million views.

https://drfriendtastic.com/

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on The Arc Prince George's County , a 501-c3 that is committed to empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD ) and provide support for their families as well as providing assistance to accessing healthcare. Guest Ashley Viagbo, Development Administrator offers details on a new grant to help aging county residents with IDD to remain in their homes with the one-on-one care.Viagbo also explains the many services offered by the Arc Prince George's County to assist across all stages of life, including career services and special events to provide respite care for caregivers. 

https://www.thearcofpgc.org/about/

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on new options for DC area employees through Commuter Connections, an outgrowth of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Guest Daniel Sheehan, who leads the Commuter Connections programs explains that as school kids head back to class, workers return from vacation along with Congress and DC traffic ramps back up. Now, says Sheehan more people are back riding Metro as pre-pandemic. He also talks about new opportunities for DC's unique slug lines now expanding from I-95 to I-66 starting in September of 2026.

https://www.commuterconnections.org/

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on the Special Olympics Dulles Plane Pull. Guest Ellen Head, Vice President for Development for Special Olympics Virginia explains teams of 25 people sign up to compete to see which team can pull a 62 ton cargo plane the fastest. She explains the discomfort and effort to pull the plane helps people understand what people with intellectual disabilities go through on a daily basis. Head also explains the student athlete programs that are available to Special Olympic Athletes. The Dulles Plane Pull is a top fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia, which also provides health care for many student athletes.

https://www.specialolympicsva.org/planepull/pull-event-information

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DMV Spotlight shines a light on an effort by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia ( SCHEV) alongside several state universities for a potential three year undergraduate degree. Guest Mark Owczarski, Associate Vice President and Spokesman for Virginia Tech explained many schools may offer a two- year associate degree or a 4-year Baccalaureate but there a gap for a three-year program. Owczarski notes that not all degree offerings will work with a 3 year program but says there are considerations underway for certain health degrees as well as agriculture degrees being offered at VA Tech that may work well.Owczarski says primary purpose of any state run institution of higher learning is to provide access to education to as many people who want it and to remove any barriers, including cost. VA Tech hopes to offer a three year degree by the Fall of 2027.

https://www.schev.edu/

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DMV Spotlight on August 2nd, 2026 shines a light on the Fairfax County Carnival and Fair. The annual event returns to Frying Pan Farm Park, the only working farm within the Fairfax County Park Authority says Public Information office, Andy Grabel. The Carnival and Fair offer residents both amusement rides and visits with farm animals. Grabel also provided an overview of the Recreation Centers, Waterfront Parks, Special Events and Golf Courses operated by the Fairfax County Parks Authority. Grabel shared several of his favorites spots and events within the park system and highlighted the accessibility of various events.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/park-news/2026/carnival-fair-returns-frying-pan-farm-park

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