Harford County, Maryland FY 24 Proposed Operating Budget

COMMUNITY SERVICES

ORIGIN/PURPOSE:

The Department of Community Services was established pursuant to Chapter 16, Article IV, Section 22 of the Harford County Code. In February, 2023 Executive Order 23-03 moved the Division of Harford Transit to be under the control and supervision of the Department of Community Services. The Department of Community Services develops and coordinates programs which meet a vast array of needs in Harford County. The department works with federal, state, local and private agencies to strengthen our communities by continuously improving the quality and availability of human services for our citizens. MISSION STATEMENT: TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES BY SERVING AS THE PREMIER RESOURCE FOR HUMAN SERVICES IN HARFORD COUNTY, AND TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE THE NETWORK OF AVAILABLE SERVICES TO ENSURE EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND PROACTIVE ASSISTANCE FOR ALL HARFORD COUNTY CITIZENS. TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND RAISE AWARENESS OF HUMAN SERVICES, NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTY TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF THE MEDIATION PROGRAM. TO INCREASE PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AND PROVIDERS THROUGH OUTREACH; CREATING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, AND HOST AT LEAST THREE COMMUNITY EVENTS. TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AWARENESS AND EMPLOYMENT ACCESSIBILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE GRANT IN AID PROGRAM TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT AT RISK YOUTH PROGRAMS TO CONNECT AND PROVIDE TO SENIORS AND CARETAKERS RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TO PROVIDE PREVENTION OUTREACH TO MORE THAN 20,000 YOUTH AND 12,000 ADULTS TO SUPPORT THREE AND OPERATE ONE SPECIALTY COURTS FOR 75 PARTICIPANTS TO APPLY FOR $500,000 STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ISSUES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT OPIATE USE AND OVERDOSE TO IDENTIFY AND WORK TO ADDRESS GAPS IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISORDERS TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION FY 24 GOALS:

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