AGING DIVISION
Grants of federal and State funds for local programs to serve the elderly are provided by the federal Older Americans Act (Title III), the federal Food and Agriculture Act (sec. 700), and State general funds. The Division also receives local funds, private donations, and contributions from program participants.
The Division is aided by the Commission on Aging.
The Commission promotes the welfare and betterment of the elderly in the County, and evaluates programs and services for them. It advises and reports to the Aging Division.
Thirteen members constitute the Commission. Twelve are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to four-year terms. One represents the Board of County Commissioners.
LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN
MARYLAND ACCESS POINT (MAP) CENTER
SENIOR CENTERS
HOUSING & COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
The Division is responsible for four units: Affordable Housing and Workforce Home Loans, Homeless Assistance and Prevention, Housing Livability and Rehabilitation, and Rental Code Enforcement.
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE & PREVENTION UNIT
On May 1, 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Emergency Rental Assistance Program was started to help the homeless. This program has since closed and is no longer accepting applications.
HOUSING LIVABILITY & REHABILITATION UNIT
Under the Unit are two programs: Emergency Home Repair and Special Loan, and Fresh Start Fund.
LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD
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.
Social service and public assistance programs in Queen Anne's County are the responsibility of the Department of Social Services. 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 Queen Anne's County Social Services Board, the Board of County Commissioners appoints the Director (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-303).
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 Queen Anne's 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)
SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board's nine-members serve three-year terms (Code Human Services Article, secs. 3-501 through 3-503).
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Department of Community Services is responsible for the Public Housing Authority, the Local Management Board, and two divisions: Aging, and Housing and Community Services.
Formerly the Department of Aging, the Aging Division is the local area agency designated by Queen Anne's County to administer State and federal funds for local senior citizen programs. These programs cover advocacy services, health education, housing, information and referral, in-home services, and nutrition (Code Human Services Article, secs. 10-201 through 10-214).
COMMISSION ON AGING
In 1981, the Commission on Aging was established in accordance with the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.
The Aging Division oversees the County’s Long-Term Care programs. Ombudsman staff and volunteers advocate for the rights of nursing-home residents and seniors in assisted-living facilities and continuing-care centers.
Within the Aging Division, the Maryland Access Point (Map) Center provides seniors with information on assisted-living facilities, in-home care, long-term care, Medicare, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities.
The Aging Division operates three Senior Centers. Located in Graysonville, Kent Island, and Sudlersville, they provide recreational and educational programs for residents age 55 and over. Activities include arts, bingo, computer classes, dances, guest speakers, line-dance classes, music, health and fitness programs, parties, trips, and guest speakers. Mid-day meals, nutrition information, and transportation to the Centers are available.
The Housing and Community Services Division provides a variety of services to help County residents acquire and maintain safe and affordable housing.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING & WORKFORCE HOME LOANS UNIT
The Affordable Housing and Workforce Home Loans Unit manages three programs: Critical Workforce Home Loan, First-Time Home Buyer Loan, and Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Loan.
The Homeless Assistance and Prevention Unit provides assistance to those who are homeless or are facing homelessness.
The Housing Livability and Rehabilitation Unit enforces the livability code for County-owned properties. Additionally, the Unit helps low-income residents improve their homes by removing any health or safety hazards.
In Queen Anne's County, the Local Management Board is known as the Community Partnership for Children and Families. The Board coordinates a system of local services for Queen Anne's County children, youth, and families (Code Human Services Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-305).
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
When the Department of Social Services started as the Department of Public Welfare in 1939, the Welfare Board was the local administrative agency for public assistance (Chapter 99, Acts of 1939). The Department of Public Welfare assumed welfare responsibilities from the Welfare Board in 1967, and was renamed the Department of Social Services in 1968 (Chapter 148, Acts of 1967; Chapter 702, Acts of 1968).
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).
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 Queen Anne's County Department of Social Services (Chapter 148, Acts of 1967; Chapter 702, Acts of 1968).
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