Maryland Association of Social Services Boards Foundation
Howard County
BACKGROUND/MEMBERSHIP
The Board is composed of nine members, with one member from Howard County Government. Board members serve three year terms and are responsible for advising on the application and formulation of state policies, procedures and programs that apply to Howard County, and to evaluate the local director of the Department of Social Services, a State agency.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be Howard County residents, 18 years of age or older, have an interest in the delivery of social services in Howard County
To apply:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions
Board Meetings are typically the 3rd Monday of the month at 5pm and are offered in a hybrid model. Board meetings, agendas and minutes are available to the public in accordance to Maryland Open Meetings Act.
Contact Us: Phone: 410-872-8260
Howard County DSS Email: hcdss.socialservicesboard@gmail.com
9780 Patuxent Woods Dr.
Columbia, MD 21046
INITIATIVES
Conferences:
- Maryland Association of Social Services Boards, with support of the Howard County Board and Howard County DSS, hosted a Legislative Meeting in March 2024 and will host the Fall 2025 Statewide MASSB Meeting.
Current and prior initiatives (2020-present):
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Strategic Planning: The board engaged in a Strategic Planning initiative in 2020 in conjunction with the department. This activity spearheaded the group re-organize our Handbook, as well as applicable new member training documents, a calendar of events, and fundraising information in a central location to house agenda and minutes that is transparent and accessible.
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Transportation Support: Board initiative to support folks with getting to work. Through discussion with the county, organizations are in place to support clothing in preparation for interviews. Support was needed in achieving transportation to interviews and in the first weeks of a new job. To that end, bus passes and gas cards were purchased to support clients.
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High Needs Closet: Director met with DSS staff to identify needs which were then presented to the Board. Board determined they wanted to support needs for vulnerable children and adults in an expedient way, by having a some high need items on hand. DSS then provided a list with costs to this end. The Board discussed amount that would be allotted. Recommendation is to start with a small number of each item identified, and then replenish as the usage is seen. Starting recommendations from the list would include: Diapers, wipes, pack & play, stroller. For adults: Depends and pads. Wheelchair and walker for use with clients in urgent situations the department may encounter.
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Kid space renovation: Under suggestion of the director, the children’s area of the lobby was identified as an area in need of renovation. Board members engaged in a tour of the space to identify what items could be kept or needed to be replaced and could be purchased or donated through the board. New furniture was ordered through an existing effort by the department. Through board contact, a new mural is being created with artist Carien Quiroga visual artist and Maryland State Arts Council Artist-in-Residence through a program in collaboration with incarcerated adults.
