the Program offers temporary shelter or help in
finding shelter, counseling, information, and refer-
ral for the victim, and rehabilitation for the abuser
(Code Family Law Article, sees 4 513 through
4 516)
The Displaced Homemakers Program started as
a model project in 1976 It became a State program
in 1979 (Chapter 339, Acts of 1979) The Program
helps homemakers who are displaced due to the
death or disability of, or divorce, separation, or
abandonment by a family member upon whom they
depended for income Community organizations
help them become self-sufficient through counsel
ing, training, and employment assistance (Code
Family Law Article, sees 4 601, 4 602)
Established in 1983, the Rape Crisis Program
gives specialized support to victims of rape and
sexual assault Community organizations provide
telephone hotlines, counseling, and medical and
legal help
The Homeless Women's Shelter Program began in
1980 with legislation to establish a model crisis
shelter tor homeless women For them, the Pro
gram provides temporary housing Clients are
counseled on ways to set personal goals and over
come obstacles to employment, such as illiteracy,
health problems, or substance abuse
The Transitional Housing Program was created
in 1986 with three pilot projects, consisting of small
multifamily residences providing supervision and
on-site support Homeless single mothers and their
children stay for up to eighteen months while the
women obtain the education and skills needed to
become self sufficient
The Crime Victims Program provides special
ized crisis services to adult and child victims of
abuse, domestic violence, rape, or sexual assault,
elderly victims of crime, and dependents of homi
cide victims Using federal funds from Victims of
Crime Assistance, services are provided through
contracts with community organizations

MARYLAND COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
Betty McGarvie Crowley, Chair, 1997
Joanne M Saltzberg, Executive Director

311 West Saratoga St
Baltimore, MD 21201—3521 (410) 767-7137

The Maryland Commission for Women started
in 1965 as the Governor's Commission on the
Status of Women To examine pressing social prob
lems and foster an understanding of issues affecting
women, the Commission was reactivated in 1968
as the Maryland Commission on the Status of
Women The Governor directed the Commission
to review the previous Commission's recommenda
tions on education, employment, and community
and civic participation, and to implement those
most pertinent The Commission also helped State

and local organizations identify problems and im-
prove opportunities for women in a variety of fields
In 1971, the Commission became part of the De
partment of Human Resources (Chapter 57, Acts
of 1971) The Commission adopted its present
name in 1976 (Chapter 119, Actt of 1976)
The Commission promotes the study and review
of the status of women in the State To strengthen
home life, it directs attention to critical problems
confronting women as wives, mothers, homemak
ers, and employees The Commission recommends
ways to overcome discrimination in public and
private employment and encourages women to be
come candidates for public office In addition, the
Commission promotes ways for women to develop
skills, continue education, and secure retraining
The Governor appoints the Commission's
twenty-four members to four year terms (Code
1957, Art 49C,secs 1 8)

FAMILY INVESTMENT
ADMINISTRATION

Kevin P Mahon, Executive Director
of Family Investment

311 West Saratoga St
Baltimore, MD 21202—3521 (410) 767 7338

Functions of the Family Investment Admini-
stration began within the Social Services Admim
stration In 1980, those duties were assigned to
the Income Maintenance Administration first by
Executive Order and then by law (Chapter 26,
Acts of 1980) In 1996, the Administration was
reformed under its present name (Chapter 351,
Acts of 1996)
The Family Investment Administration coordi
nates and supervises all public assistance programs
in the State (Code 1957, Art 88A, sec 1A) These
programs include Family Investment, Food
Stamps, and Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Under
an agreement with the Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene, the Administration certifies ehgi
ble low-income families tor the Medical Assistance
Program (Medicaid) In accord with the U S De
partment of Agriculture, the Administration also
directs the Food Stamps Program
The Administration sets policy for local depart
ments of social services to follow in determining
eligibility for financial assistance. Food Stamps, and
Medical Assistance In Baltimore City and in each
county, the local director of social services admm
isters public assistance programs subject to the
supervision, direction, and control of the Family
Investment Administration
The Executive Director of Family Investment is
appointed by the Secretary of Human Resources