133). Using federal grants and some State general
funds, the Program provides housing counseling
and manages aftercare in several jurisdictions- The
Program also oversees programs for housing the
homeless and preventing eviction.

GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY BOARD ON
HOMELESSNESS

Margaret I. Diem, Chair, 1997
Staff: Joan Burns (410) 767-7182

The Advisory Board of the Shelter, Nutrition,
and Services Program for Homeless Individuals was
created in 1984 (Chapter 777, Acts of 1984). In
1988, it became known as the Governor's Advisory
Board on Homelessness. The Board coordinates
the Homeless Services Program.
Appointed by the Governor, the Board consists
of sixteen members who serve two-year terms
(Code 1957, Art. 88A, sees. 134-137).

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE
(410) 767-7213

Emergency Food Assistance began in March
1983 under federal law as the Temporary Emer-
gency Food Assistance Program (P.L. 98-8). The
Program formalized the distribution of surplus
dairy commodities begun in January 1982. Origi-
nally administered by the Food Distribution Sec-
tion of the State Department of Education, the
Program moved to the Department of Human
Resources in January 1988. The Program became
the Emergency Food Assistance Program in 1990
(federal Food and Agricultural Resources Act of
1990). In 1996, the Program, for administrative
purposes, was placed under Homeless Services.
Emergency Food Assistance distributes food
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to needy
people in situations of emergency and distress.
Food from surplus federal commodity inventories
is delivered quarterly to local emergency organiza-
tions and food pantries for distribution to individu-
als. Eligibility for assistance is based on income and
household size, or prior certification in any of the
following programs: Maryland Energy Assistance;
Food Stamps; Medical Assistance (Medicaid); or
Public Assistance.

LEGAL SERVICES
Joanna L. Armentrout, Director

311 West Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21201—3521 (410) 767-7127

Legal Services, then known as Judicare, was created
in 1971. Legal Services pays court-appointed attorneys
to represent persons subject to Adult Protective Serv-
ices proceedings, and children in Child in Need of
Assistance (CINA) and other juvenile causes in which
the Department of Human Resources is involved.

With the Maryland Legal Services Corporation,
Legal Services has a contract that funnels to the
Corporation each year the haif million dollars of
State support provided by the Maryland Legal
Services Corporation Act.

MARYLAND OFFICE FOR
NEW AMERICANS
Frank J. Bien, Director

311 West Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21201—3521 (410) 767-7021

The Maryland Office For New Americans was
established in 1980 by the Department as the
Maryland Office of Refugee Affairs. In 1994, the
Office was reorganized as the Maryland Office for
New Americans (Executive Order 01.01.1994.26).
The Office helps refugees residing in Maryland to
become economically and socially self-sufficient. It
provides employment services, English language
and vocational training, cultural orientation, and
other services.
The Office also administers the Citizenship Promo-
tion Program formed in 1995 (Chapters 162, 163,
Acts of 1995). The Program encourages and assists
eligible Maryland residents to become naturalized
citizens of the United States and participate in civic life.

MARYLAND ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR
NEW AMERICANS

Vacancy, Chair

The Maryland Advisory Council for New Ameri-
cans was formed as the Maryland Refugee Advisory
Council in 1980. In 1994, the Council received its
present name (Executive Order 01.01.1994.26). The
Council assists the Maryland Office for New Americans
in carrying out its mandates and identifying the prob-
lems and needs of new Americans living in Maryland.
The Council has twenty members. Fifteen are
appointed for two-year terms by the Governor. Five
serve ex officio.

WOMEN'S SERVICES
Susan C. Seling, Director

311 West Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21201—3521 (410) 767-7477

The Women's Services Program was created in
1983 by the Department and the Community Serv-
ices Administration. Renamed the Women's Advo-
cacy Program in 1991, it received its present name
in 1992. Women's Services coordinates help for
battered spouses, displaced homemakers, victims of
crime, victims of rape, and homeless women.
The Battered Spouse Program aids victims of
spousal abuse and their children who must leave
home to safeguard their lives and welfare. The
Program began as a model shelter in 1971.
Through a network of community organizations,