ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

COMMUNITY SERVICES

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

FOOD COUNCIL
In May 2023, the County Executive authorized the Anne Arundel County Food Council (Executive Order no. 60).

The Council advises the County Executive, and County departments and agencies on methods to improve equitable access to healthy and culturally appropriate food for all County residents, but particularly for those in under-resourced areas and healthy food priority areas. To improve food access, the Council will compile and assess data; monitor and make recommendations for existing and proposed County government policies; and. draft a comprehensive Countywide plan.

New means for the County to improve the local food economy will be considered by the Council as will the availability, sustainability, accessibility, and quality of food and our environment, including the preservation of agricultural land.

Annually, the Council evaluates the administration of County food and nutrition programs, and suggests revisions to Countywide strategy.

IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS COMMISSION
In December 2019, the Immigrant Affairs Commission was authorized as an advisory group by the County Executive (Executive Order no. 15).

The Commission charge is to ensure that the needs of immigrants in the County are articulated and legitimized, and their voices heard and understood. It also will facilitate civic engagement among immigrant communities, and advise County government on ways to improve access to County services. .

Appointed by the County Executive, the Commission consists of thirteen members, and eight nonvoting members. The County Executive names the chair and vice-chair.

COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
Created in 1975, the Commission for Women advises the County Executive on matters regarding women and families.

Eighteen members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to two-year terms by the County Executive, who designates the chair.

DEPARTMENT OF AGING & DISABILITIES

Department of Aging & Disabilities, Heritage Office Complex, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Department currently offers 21 programs in 25 locations throughout the County. Among these are the Maryland Access Point Customer Service Center, and Senior Centers.

AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL
Authorized by the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council advises the Department of Aging and Disabilities and the County Executive on matters relating to the County's senior citizens (sec. 1321.57).

LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMEN
Ombudsman staff and volunteers advocate for the rights of nursing-home residents and seniors in assisted-living facilities and continuing-care centers.

MARYLAND ACCESS POINT (MAP) CENTER
The Maryland Access Point (MAP) Center helps seniors find information on assisted-living facilities, in-home care, long-term care, Medicare, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities.

SENIOR CENTERS.
Seven Senior Centers are run by the Department at Annapolis; Arnold; Brooklyn Park; Edgewater; Glen Burnie (Robert A. Pascal Senior Center); Odenton (Catherine L. O'Malley Senior Center); and Pasadena. These centers provide daily lunches, Monday through Friday; fitness programs; college classes; shows; social events; and trips. Transportation is available to and from Senior Centers, as well as for medical appointments.

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONSTITUENT SERVICES

The Office is assisted by the Human Relations Commission and the Veterans Affairs Commission.

Arundel Center, 44 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland, October 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
The Human Relations Commission was formed by statute in November 2019. Its purpose is to promote and enhance the ability of all County residents to pursue their lives free of discrimination in housing (County Code, secs. 3-5A-103). Working for the fair and equal treatment of all County residents, the Commission seeks to counteract racism, discrimination, and intolerance in the County.

Thirteen members constitute the Commission. Nominated by the County Executive, eleven members are appointed to three-year terms by the County Council. Nominated by the County Executive and the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils of Anne Arundel County, a student member is appointed to a one-year term by the County Council. The Human Relations Officer serves ex officio as a nonvoting member (County Code, secs. 3-5A-108 through 3-50A-208).

VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
To promote and enhance the quality of life for veterans, military members currently on active duty, and their families, the Veterans Affairs Commission advises the County Executive and County Council on the coordination and development of government policies, programs, and services, and the allocation of resources to those who have served the Country.

Thirteen members make up the Commission. They are appointed by and serve for the same term as the County Executive (County Code, sec. 3-12A).

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Social service and public assistance programs in Anne Arundel County are the responsibility of the Department of Social Services (County Charter, sec. 554; County Code, sec. 2-1-605). These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the food stamp program), and Temporary Cash Assistance, as well as services for adoption, foster care, and child protection. To implement programs and provide support services to children and families in their communities, the Department also works with local organizations to offer education and training, transitional housing, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. 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 Anne Arundel County Social Services Board, the County Executive appoints the Director (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-303; County Charter, sec. 554).

ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD
The Adult Public Guardianship Review Board originated as the Disabled Persons Review Board in 1977 (Chapter 768, Acts of 1977), and reformed under its present name in 1988 (Chapter 295, Acts of 1988).

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 approval (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 Anne Arundel 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)

LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD
In Anne Arundel County, the Local Management Board is known as the Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families. The Board coordinates a system of local services for Anne Arundel 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.

In Anne Arundel County, the Board consists of at least eleven members. Six to eight members are appointed by the County Executive, and five members serve ex officio. The County Executive names the chair (County Code, Art. 3, secs. 6-101 through 6-112).

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 Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (Chapter 148, Acts of 1967; Chapter 702, Acts of 1968).

Appointed by the County Executive, the Board consists of thirteen members who serve three-year terms. The County Executive serves ex officio (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-501 through 3-503).

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