LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL SERVICES

[photo, Dept. of Social Services, 122 North Potomac St., Hagerstown, Maryland] In Maryland, Social services include adoption; foster care; protective services to children, adults, and families; public assistance; and services to families with children. Throughout the State, the Family Investment Administration and the Social Services Administration of the Department of Human Services oversee social services programs administered in each county and Baltimore City through local departments of social services. The executive director of each local department of social services reports to the Secretary of Human Services.

Washington County Department of Social Services, 122 North Potomac St., Hagerstown, Maryland, June 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services, Westgate Building, 80 West St., Annapolis, Maryland] In each Maryland county and Baltimore City, the local department of social services, funded by State government, administers public assistance programs for low-income Marylanders and those suffering economic hardships. These include the Supplemental Nutrition Program (formerly Food Stamps); the Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid); the Maryland Energy Assistance Program; and the Temporary Cash Assistance Program.


Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services, Westgate Building, 80 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, May 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Local departments of social services also offer child care subsidy; child support enforcement; emergency food provision; and housing and employment assistance. With local organizations, social services departments work to provide emergency shelter and transitional housing, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and even general education development (GED) courses.

In addition, the General Assembly addresses concerns about social services through the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee.

LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES
[photo, Dept. of Social Services, 100 East All Saints St., Frederick, Maryland]

Former site of Frederick County Department of Social Services, Gov. William Donald Schaefer Government Service Center, 100 East All Saints St., Frederick, Maryland, July 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Grantsville Outreach Center (Garrett County Dept. of Social Services & Health Dept.), Grantsville, Maryland]
  • Garrett County Department of Social Services
  • Harford County Department of Social Services
  • Howard County Department of Social Services
  • Kent County Department of Social Services


    • Grantsville Outreach Center (Garrett County Dept. of Social Services & Health Dept.), Grantsville, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    [photo, Carter M. Hickman District Court/Multi-Service Center, 120 Broadway, Centreville, Maryland]

    Queen Anne's County Department of Social Services, Carter M. Hickman District Court/Multi-Service Center, 120 Broadway, Centreville, Maryland, November 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    [photo, Worcester County Dept. of Social Services, 299 Commerce St., Snow Hill, Maryland]
  • St. Mary's County Department of Social Services
  • Somerset County Department of Social Services
  • Talbot County Department of Social Services
  • Washington County Department of Social Services
  • Wicomico County Department of Social Services
  • Worcester County Department of Social Services

    • Worcester County Department of Social Services, 299 Commerce St., Snow Hill, Maryland, August 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
    Maryland Departments
    Maryland Independent Agencies
    Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
    Maryland Universities & Colleges
    Maryland Counties
    Maryland Municipalities
    Maryland at a Glance

    Maryland Manual On-Line

    © Copyright Maryland State Archives