ALLEGANY COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

COMMUNITY SERVICES

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In Allegany County, Community Services include the Human Resources Development Commission, the Local Management Board, and the Department of Social Services.


HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

The Human Resources Development Commission designs, staffs, operates, and secures funding for some 32 programs to improve the welfare of people who live and work in the County. These programs aid the young, the poor, the elderly, and those with disabilities. When a need is identified, the Commission creates effective public-private partnerships to help people to help themselves. Programs overseen by the Commission affect one in three County residents.

Under the Human Resources Development Commission are three departments: the Area Agency on Aging, Children and Family Services, and Community Resources and Housing.

DEPARTMENT OF AREA AGENCY ON AGING
The Department of Area Agency on Aging is the local area agency designated by Allegany County to administer State and federal funds for local senior citizen programs. These programs cover advocacy services, health education, housing, information and referral, in-home services, and nutrition (Code Human Services Article, secs. 10-201 through 10-214).

Grants of federal and State funds for local programs to serve the elderly are provided by the federal Older Americans Act (Title III), the federal Food and Agriculture Act (sec. 700), and State general funds. The Commission also receives local funds, private donations, and contributions from program participants.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are overseen by the Department of Children and Family Services. These programs provide early education to children from birth to age five, medical referrals for pregnant women, and job training programs.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES & HOUSING
Under the Department of Community Resources and Housing are the Office of Housing Opportunities (for the homeless); a Foreclosure Intervention Counselor; and the local office of the Maryland Energy Assistance Program. The Department also is responsible for the Affordable Housing Program, the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Financial Literacy Program, the Tax Preparation Assistance, the Rehab and Housing Program, and the Section 8 Voucher Rental Assistance Program.


LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD

In 1996, the Local Management Board formed in Allegany County.

A system of local services for County children, youth, and families is coordinated by the Board (Code Human Services Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-305). In this fashion, local child-serving agencies, child providers, service clients, families, and community representatives are brought together by the Board to identify and address local needs, and prioritize and target resources.

To young people who may be moved from their home because of abuse, neglect, delinquency, or special needs, health, education, social and justice services are provided. In the community, the Board coordinates services so that children, placed in programs out-of-state, may be helped closer to home.

Fifteen members make up the Board.


DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

When the Department of Social Services started as the Department of Public Welfare in 1939, the Welfare Board was the local administrative agency for public assistance (Chapter 99, Acts of 1939). The Department of Public Welfare assumed welfare responsibilities from the Welfare Board in 1967, and was renamed the Department of Social Services in 1968 (Chapter 148, Acts of 1967; Chapter 702, Acts of 1968).

Social service and public assistance programs in Allegany County are the responsibility of the Department of Social Services. These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the food stamp program), and Temporary Cash Assistance, as well as services for adoption, foster care, and child protection. To implement programs and provide support services to children and families in their communities, the Department also works with local organizations to offer education and training, transitional housing, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The Director of the Department administers these programs subject to the supervision, direction, and control of the Social Services Administration, and the Family Investment Administration.

With the approval of the Secretary of Human Services and the advice of the Allegany County Social Services Board, the Board of County Commissioners appoints the Director (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-303).

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