Sondra M. Blackiston

The meeting featured a presentation on the KCCAC project summary. The Kent County CARES Foundation discussed the development of their website and the potential for local grant funding. Other topics included the recognition of a local volunteer award, the Kent County Goes Purple event's adjustments due to COVID-19, and the solicitation of nominations for MASSB board officers. The Director's report detailed performance across several divisions, including Child Support, Family Investment Administration, and Child Welfare Services. Key updates involved the implementation of the statewide processing model, the transition to new systems like Eligibility and Enrollment and CJAMS, teleworking protocols, and space utilization assessments for office downsizing. Additionally, the department celebrated a customer service excellence award and planned for upcoming office equipment upgrades.

The meeting featured reports on addiction awareness initiatives and upcoming town hall events regarding addiction and overdoses. Key discussion topics included expanded walk-in access at A.F. Whitsitt, the introduction of a free mental health app for young adults, and funding opportunities for expanding mental health and substance use services in schools and communities. Participants provided updates on harm reduction programs, overdose statistics, recovery outreach, and school-based prevention programming. Additionally, the Local Management Board reported on the distribution of laptops to residents.

The meeting included reports from various agencies regarding substance abuse prevention, recovery initiatives, and mental health outreach. Key topics included the formalization of council procedures, an increase in census at the AF Whitsitt Center, collaborations on diversity and inclusion conferences, naloxone distribution projects, and the establishment of a suicide prevention coalition. Other updates covered town hall events, care coordination outcomes, wellness room development at the RIM Center, school-based mental health awareness fairs, recovery house capacity challenges, educational compliance checks for alcohol vendors, and upcoming open access programs for mental health and substance abuse services.

The board received a presentation on Adult Services and reviewed the Kent County CARES Foundation financial statements, discussing funding requests for at-risk families, children, and vulnerable adults during COVID-19, including a proposal to distribute masks. The Director's report covered divisional performance, noting increases in child support collections and service applications, alongside operational changes due to COVID-19 such as phone interviews and virtual court appearances. The board also reviewed the KCDSS reopening plan and discussed planning for the upcoming fiscal year, in addition to mentioning new resources developed in partnership with local agencies for confidential support.

The board conducted introductions for a prospective new member and received a comprehensive overview of the Maryland Child Support Program, detailing its responsibilities, application processes, and enforcement mechanisms. The Director's report covered monthly performance metrics, a staffing update including recent hires and current vacancies, and summaries of community outreach efforts and various inter-agency meetings.