DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE & CIVIC INNOVATION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The purpose of the Department is to promote the use of volunteers in State, county ad municipal government; business; and nonprofit organizations.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

The Secretary is appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent.

100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM

The Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism supports and promotes service and volunteer efforts that engage Marylanders to strengthen their communities. By combining traditional volunteerism with modern programs, the Office helps meet pressing needs in the areas of education, health, the environment, and public safety (Code State Government Article, secs. 9.5-201 through 9.5-206). The Office also provides training and technical assistance to volunteer organizations, "Communities of Promise," and national service programs throughout Maryland. Technical assistance includes telephone and on-line consultations, site visits, workshops, presentations, and printed materials.

The Governor names the Director. Formerly located at 300 West Preston Street in Baltimore, the Office moved to 301 West Preston Street in October 2005, when it joined the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives. In May 2016, it moved to 100 Community Place in Crownsville, Maryland.

Under the Office are three main units: Administration, Outreach, and Programs.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
In 1983, the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism originated as the Governor's Volunteer Council. Additional duties stem from the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Citizenship formed in 1990. The Governor's Commission on Service was created by the Governor in January 1994 pursuant to the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-82). At that time, the Commission assumed responsibilities of the Governor's Volunteer Council and the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Citizenship (Executive Order 01.01.1994.01). From January 1997 to 2003, the Commission functioned under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. It was renamed the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism in February 1998 (Executive Order 01.01.1998.08), reorganized in November 2003 (Executive Order 01.01.2003.48), and was reauthorized both in October 2004 and July 2013 (Executive Orders 01.01.2004.58 and 01.01.2013.02).

The Commission marshals volunteer resources to meet community needs, encourage a sense of stewardship with the community, and foster a responsible and enterprising citizenry.

Maryland's participation in the National and Community Trust Act of 1993 is overseen by the Commission. The Act requires participating states to develop, update, and implement a three-year strategic plan for service programs. Submitted in May 1994, the plan sets funding and program priorities for allocation of federal funds in Maryland. With the Governor's approval, the Commission may apply to the Corporation for National Service and other public and private sources for additional funding.

The Commission consists of the State Superintendent of Schools and from 14 to 24 members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. The Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives serves as a nonvoting member. The Commission elects its chair annually.

PROGRAMS

AMERICORPS
Under the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps is a national service program that offers individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to spend a year engaged in community service. AmeriCorps members work to meet critical needs in the areas of disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, access to primary and preventive health care, veterans services, and assistance to military families. In return, AmeriCorps members receive an education award to help pay college costs or or repay student loans.

Maryland has twenty-five AmeriCorps programs serving communities from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. Each year, over 2,100 individuals serve as members of the Program in Maryland.

The Department of Service and Civic Innovation serves as a intermediary with the AmeriCorps Program to secure federal funding, and alleviate the administrative burden on State organizations seeking to participate in the Program. In working with the Program, the Department works to expand service opportuities in State, county and municipal parks; and in the areas of public and community health, and clean and renewable energy.

MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM
The Maryland Corps Program was established by the General Assembly in June 2016 (Chapter 654, Acts of 2016). As of June 1, 2022, the Maryland Corps Program was revised and expanded (Chapter 37, Acts of 2022). In April 2023, the Program was made part of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation (Chapter 113, Acts of 2023).

To at least 100 participants, the Maryland Corps Program provides service opportunities that address the various social needs of communities across the State. It teachs Program participants the skills necessary to transition from high school to institutions of higher learning or the workforce. Moreover, it provides scholarships to those who complete the Program so they may earn vocational certificates, associate's degrees, or bachelor's degrees at institutions of higher learning.

Within the Maryland Corps Program are the Maryland Service Year Option Pathway, and the Young Adult Service Year Option Pathway.

MARYLAND SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY

YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY
Under the Maryland Corps Program, the Young Adult Service Year Option Pathway provides service placements to eligible young adults. The Pathway provides Corps particpants with professional development, mentoring, job training, and financial literacy skills while engaged in public service

MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD As the Board of Directors for the Maryland Corps Program, the Maryland Corps Program Advisory Board began. It reformed under its present name in April 2023 (Chapter 113, Acts of 2023).

The Board oversees the design, development, implementation, operation, and expansion of the Maryland Corps Program. It also advises the Department on best practices for service and volunteerism.

Serving four-year terms, the Board consists of nine members. Of these, the Governor appoints five members, including the Chair. The Senate President and House Speaker jointly appoint two members, and the Senate President and House Speaker each appoint one member (Code State Government Article, sec. 21-203)..