FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

COMMUNITY SERVICES

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

CITIZENS SERVICES DIVISION

Formerly located at 520 North Market St. in Frederick, the Division moved to 5370 Public Safety Place on November 27, 2013.

Former site of Frederick County Citizens Services Division, 520 North Market St., Frederick, Maryland, January 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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 Department also receives local funds, private donations, and contributions from program participants.

COMMISSION ON AGING
Established in December 1965, the Commission on Aging originally functioned as a department of aging for Frederick County. Today, the Commission serves as an advisory council to the Department of Aging.

The Commission works to promote the well-being and the quality of life of older adults in Frederick County. It also makes recommendations for action to the County Council.

Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Commission consists of fifteen members who serve three-year terms (County Code, Art. V, secs. 1-2-70 through 1-2-73).

LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD
In Frederick County, the Local Management Board is known as the Office for Children and Families. The Board coordinates a system of local services for Frederick County children, youth, and families (Code Human Services Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-305). Health, education, social and justice services are provided to young people who may be moved from their home because of abuse, neglect, delinquency, or special needs. In the community, the Board coordinates services so that children, placed in programs out-of-state, may be helped closer to home.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Social service and public assistance programs in Frederick County are the responsibility of the Department of Social Services. 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 Frederick County Social Services Board, the County Executive with County Council consent appoints the Director (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-303).

ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD
The Adult Public Guardianship Review Board was authorized by State statute in 1984 (Chapter 552, Acts of 1984), and established by County Resolution in 1985 (Resolution 85-03).

On a regular schedule, the Board reviews each guardianship that a public agency holds, and makes recommendations on whether to continue, modify, or end the guardianship.

The Board's eleven members are appointed to three-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (Code Family Law Article, secs. 14-401 through 14-404).

CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD FOR CHILDREN
In 1978, the Citizen Review Board for Children originated as the Foster Care Review Board (Chapter 980, Acts of 1978). The Board reformed under its present name in 1999 (Chapter 355, Acts of 1999).

The Citizen Review Board for Children reviews cases of children in foster care to evaluate what progress has been made towards their permanent placement. Cases are reviewed in accordance with priorities established by the Frederick County Department of Social Services and the State Citizens Review Board for Children and contained in a memorandum of agreement. For each child reviewed, a recommendation is sent to the County Department of Social Services and the local juvenile court. With concurrence of the Social Services Administration, the State Board may establish categories of foster children for whom a satisfactory permanent arrangement has been made and who may be exempt from local review.

Each local review board has seven members. They are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms (Code Family Law Article, secs. 5-540 through 5-547)

SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD
Until the Great Depression, public assistance and welfare functions of the Social Services Board were administered by the Board of County Commissioners. Under the Board of State Aid and Charities, the Welfare Board assumed those duties in 1933 and became the local agency to direct public relief (Chapter 222, Acts of 1933). The Board also began to certify eligible persons for employment in the federal Works Progress Administration, the Public Works Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (Chapter 586, Acts of 1935). When the State Department of Public Welfare replaced the Board of State Aid and Charities in 1939, the Welfare Board was overseen by the State Department (Chapter 99, Acts of 1939). The Board reformed in 1967 with many of its administrative duties transferred to the County Department of Public Welfare (Chapter 148, Acts of 1967). In 1968, the Board was renamed as the Social Services Board under the Frederick County Department of Social Services (Chapter 148, Acts of 1967; Chapter 702, Acts of 1968).

Fourteen members constitute the Board. Thirteen are appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent to three-year terms. One member representing the County Council serves ex officio (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-501 through 3-503).

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