OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Carolyn W. Colvin, Secretary of Human Resources

311 West Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-7109

The Secretary of Human Resources directs the
Department. Appointed by the Governor with Senate
advice and consent, the Secretary serves on the Gov-
ernor's Executive Council; the Governor's Subcabinet
for Children, Youth, and Families; the Governor's
Council on Adolescent Pregnancy; the Governor's
Commission on Hispanic Affairs; the Governor's
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission; and the Gov-
ernor's Volunteer Council. The Secretary also serves
on the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for
Minority Affairs; the State Board of Victim Services;
the State Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug
Abuse; the Advisory Council on Landlord-Tenant
Affairs; the Interagency Committee on Aging Serv-
ices; the Domiciliary Care Facilities Board; and the
State Commission on Infant Mortality Prevention.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Leonard R. Sachs, Chairperson, 1995
(410) 767-7109

The Department of Human Resources Advisory
Council was created in 1984 (Chapter 421, Acts of
1984). The Council advises the Secretary of Human
Resources on program plans, grant levels, eligibility
requirements, and the Department budget. The
Council also serves as a forum for public comment
and keeps local boards of social services informed of
actions of the Council and other local boards.
The Council's fifteen to twenty-five members are
appointed by the Secretary of Human Resources
with the approval of the Governor. The Secretary
of Human Resources designates the chairperson
(Code 1957, Art. 41, sec. 6-105).

MARYLAND CITIZEN BOARD FOR REVIEW
OF FOSTER CARE FOR CHILDREN
Iris Gordon, Chairperson, 1994
Charles R. Cooper, Administrator

2701 North Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 767-7330

The Maryland Citizen Board for Review of Fos-
ter Care for Children was established in 1978 to
coordinate the activities of local citizen review
boards (Chapter 980, Acts of 1978). The State
Board promulgates policies and procedures relating
to the functions of local review boards. It also makes
recommendations to the General Assembly on fos-
ter care policies and procedures (Code Family Law
Article, sees. 5-535 through 5-547).
Every six months, the local boards review cases
of children who have resided in foster care for more
than six months to determine what efforts have
been made towards their permanent placement. For
each child reviewed, a recommendation is sent to
the local department of social services and the juve-
nile court. With the concurrence of the Social Serv-
ices 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.
Local review board members are appointed by
the Governor for four-year terms. There are five
members and two alternates on each local board.
The State Board is composed of eleven members.
Each local review board of Judicial Circuits nos. 1
through 7 elects a member to the State Board. From
Judicial Circuit no. 8, the local review boards choose
three State Board members. The Governor also ap-
points one member from the executive staff. Members
serve two-year terms concurrent with their individual
terms on the local review board.
The Administrator is appointed by the State Board
with the approval of the Secretary of Human Resources.

OFFICE OF LOCAL OPERATIONS
Jules B. Margolis, Assistant Secretary
for Local Operations
(410) 767-7711

The Office of Local Operations was established in
1994 as a direct link between the Office of the Secre-
tary of Human Resources and the local departments
of social services in each county and Baltimore City.
The Office serves as liaison for local departments on
policy and planning; helps local departments resolve
problems; promotes "community partnerships"; and
conducts on-site reviews and evaluations.