For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet on Thursday Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. to discuss four appropriations to the County Government's FY23 Operating Budget for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These will include a $10 million special appropriation for hospital response; a more than $3.5 million supplemental appropriation for the American Rescue Plan Act Older Americans Act Title III Grant; an $853,699 special appropriation for the Youth Harm Reduction Initiative; and a more than $1.5 million special appropriation for newcomers enhancements and assistance.
The members of the HHS Committee include Chair and Council President Gabe Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Councilmember Craig Rice.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Review: The HHS Committee will discuss a more than $1.5 million special appropriation to the County Government's FY23 Operating Budget for DHHS for newcomers enhancements and assistance. The special appropriation is needed to support the ongoing unanticipated influx of migrant families and unaccompanied youth in the County. The funding would support a network of stakeholders and community partners to continue to provide culturally and linguistically interdisciplinary services and supports.
Review: The HHS Committee will discuss an $853,699 special appropriation to County Government's FY23 Operating Budget for DHHS for the Youth Harm Reduction Initiative. The proposed supplemental appropriation will support violence prevention and mitigation efforts and leverage youth and family engagement, and positive youth development practices.
The proposed programs include the hiring of a consultant to direct and draft a coordinated and integrated strategy for violence prevention and suppression; mentorship and peer engagement targeting for Upcounty high-risk middle school students and high school athletes; capacity building and community strengthening training for community providers; support services for teen girls in six middle schools with high poverty rates or majority BIPOC student populations, and significant academic challenges; sports-themed youth and community engagement; the creation of youth outreach groups; and mental health awareness and well-being services.
On June 28, 2022, the Council received a briefing on Youth Safety and Positive Youth Development amid concerns about youth violence incidents in the community. The data showed that community-based youth violence had increased significantly over the past two years, much of which involved the use of firearms. County agencies and departments indicated the intent to scale up programs in partnership with community-based organizations to support vulnerable youth and mitigate potential harm.
Review: The HHS Committee will discuss a $10 million special appropriation to County Government's FY23 Operating Budget for DHHS for hospital response. The appropriation is needed to help support Montgomery County hospital’s operations due to persistent financial, operational and workforce challenges.
Review: The HHS Committee will discuss a more than $3.5 million supplemental appropriation to the County Government's FY23 Operating Budget for DHHS for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III Grant and amendment to the County Government’s FY23 Resolution 19-1285, Section G, Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status. The supplemental appropriation is needed for a state grant to support social services programs for older residents of Montgomery County. The appropriation will provide $729,320 in contracts with community organizations and more than $2.8 million will support services through DHHS.
The Maryland Department of Aging received funding through ARPA to support the OAA Title III activities. DHHS will utilize the grant to support hearing assistance devices, nutrition, dental services for seniors, arts programs for people living in long-term care settings, home and community-based services and family caregiver services for pandemic recovery. DHHS services would also include hiring a contractor for marketing and outreach for seniors, establishing a pilot program including a Spanish-speaking community organizer for outreach, distributing tablets and providing training for diverse non-English speaking residents. County seniors aged 60 and over and their caregivers are eligible for services funded through the grant.
A public hearing and vote are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 15.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council recommends that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council or committee meetings, get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If this is not possible, virtual participation is encouraged.
Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 22-385