Human Services Programs Of Carroll County Inc

HSP GIVES HOPE, INSPIRES CHANGE, AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY BY MOBILIZING THE COMMUNITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY.

THE HOME ENERGY PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME CARROLL COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE FACED WITH ANY NUMBER OF SITUATIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN HOMELESSNESS AND OR LACK OF BASIC NEEDS THAT AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS SERVED UNDER THIS SERVICE FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 ARE AS FOLLOWS: - HOME ENERGY SERVICES: 6 HOUSEHOLDS, 24 INDIVIDUALS - OFFICE OF HOME ENERGY PROGRAMS OHEP: 2,411 HOUSEHOLDS

ECONOMIC MOBILITY PROGRAMMING PROVIDES INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND LONG-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR FUTURE. ECONOMIC MOBILITY PROGRAMMING ENCOMPASSES OPPORTUNITY WORKS, FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, AND OUR VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PREPARATION (VITA) SITE. OPPORTUNITY WORKS OFFERS A UNIQUE BLEND OF HANDS-ON JOB TRAINING, JOB READINESS ASSISTANCE, AND LONG-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP PARTICIPANTS RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND BECOME THRIVING COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OPPORTUNITY WORKS ENROLLS PARTICIPANTS WITH SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE HISTORY. OPPORTUNITY WORKS FOCUSES ON PROVIDING COMMUNITY- BASED RE-ENTRY SERVICES. HSP HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AS A 2023 FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND CAPABILITY AWARD WINNER. WE HAVE BEEN NAMED OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION BY THE NONPROFITS CASH (CREATING ASSETS, SAVINGS, AND HOPE) CAMPAIGN OF MARYLAND, MARYLAND COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION (MCEE), AND THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MSDE). IN FY23 OPPORTUNITY WORKS SERVED 129 INDIVIDUALS: 97% HAD A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT; 95% DID NOT COMMIT A CRIME DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR; 69% MASTERED 5 OR MORE JOB SKILLS; 62% RESOLVED TWO BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT; 62% SECURED EMPLOYMENT, WITH 66% MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT FOR 180 DAYS OR MORE. OPPORTUNITY WORKS UTILIZES JOB TRAINING PLATFORMS TO TEACH PARTICIPANTS HANDS-ON SKILLS: - SECOND CHANCES, CARROLL COUNTY'S ONLY FREE STORE, SERVED 752 HOUSEHOLDS. - THE COMMUNITY GARDEN IS A 7,800 SQUARE FOOT PRODUCE AND HERB GARDEN, CENTRALLY LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN WESTMINSTER. IN FY23, 1,804 POUNDS OF PRODUCE FED OVER 300 PEOPLE THROUGH SECOND CHANCES, SHELTER, SOUP KITCHENS, AND FOOD BANKS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERVICES HELP PARTICIPANTS WITH BUDGETING, ACCESS TO FAIR BANKING SERVICES, OVERCOMING DEBT, AND DEVELOPING SOLID FINANCIAL HABITS. THE SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE MONTHLY FINANCIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, FINANCIAL CONSULTATION AS WELL AS ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL COACHING FOR UP TO ONE YEAR. WE SERVED 237 PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTENDED 46 SCHEDULED FINANCIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, BOTH VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON, 2 SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL LITERACY EVENTS WITH GAMES AND ACTIVITIES, AND 4 VISITS TO LOCAL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO DO INTERACTIVE PRESENTATIONS WITH THE STUDENTS. 46 PARTICIPATED IN ONGOING FINANCIAL COACHING SERVICES: 66% INCREASED THEIR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING, 70% MAINTAINED A SPENDING PLAN FOR 30 DAYS, AND 33% WERE ABLE TO INCREASE OR CREATE SAVINGS, PAY DOWN DEBT, OR PURCHASE AN ASSET. IN ADDITION, FINANCIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS WERE HELD FOR OVER 100 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. OUR VITA SITE PREPARES FREE TAX RETURNS FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, VITA IS AN IRS SPONSORED PROGRAM. THE VITA SITE PROMOTES TAXPAYER EDUCATION, ACCESSING VITAL TAX CREDITS, AS WELL AS SAVING YOUR REFUND. SERVICES THIS YEAR CONTINUED PRIMARILY VIA THE -DROP-OFF' METHOD, ALLOWING FOR AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW, SEPARATE PREPARATION, THEN FOLLOW UP PHONE CALLS TO COMPLETE THE RETURN AS WELL AS IN-PERSON TAX RETURNS. TAXPAYERS SAW AN AVERAGE REFUND OF 1,806 BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL REFUNDS WITH A TOTAL OF 1,147,165 GOING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF REFUNDS. VITA PREPARED A TOTAL OF 740 TAX RETURNS BETWEEN JANUARY AND JUNE OF THIS YEAR, A 26% INCREASE OVER THE LAST TAX SEASON. 1 OUT OF 3 TAXPAYERS SAVED A PORTION OF THEIR REFUND. HSP ALSO HOSTED CARROLL CAH DAY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CARROLL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, A FAMILY FRIENDLY FINANCIAL EDUCATION FAIR, REACHING OVER 600 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS TWO EVENTS IN WESTMINSTER AND HAMPSTEAD. THE EVENT INCLUDED FREE CREDIT SCORES, COUNSELING, AND TAX PREPARATION, COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, AS WELL AS A YOUTH BUDGETING SIMULATION, GAMES AND COLORING ACTIVITIES.

HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS OF CARROLL COUNTY INC. (HSP) OPERATES OUR SHELTER AND HOUSING PROGRAM WITH THE HOUSING FIRST APPROACH. PROGRAMMING SERVES THE MOST IN NEED FIRST, PROVIDING OPEN-ACCESS, LOW BARRIER SERVICES. HSP BELIEVES HOMELESSNESS SHOULD BE PREVENTED. IF IT CANNOT BE PREVENTED, HOMELESSNESS SHOULD BE BRIEF. SHELTER AND HOUSING SERVICES STRIVE TO HELP PARTICIPANTS INCREASE THEIR INCOME, SECURE PERMANENT HOUSING, AND PROVIDE NECESSARY COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND LINKAGES TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS. SHELTER SERVICES: SHELTER SERVICES PROVIDE OVERNIGHT SUPPORT AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. SHELTER STAFF CONNECT HOMELESS PARTICIPANTS TO HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES - REGARDLESS OF WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES. SHELTER SERVICES CASE MANAGERS FOCUS ON STABILIZING PARTICIPANTS, CONNECTING THEM WITH BASIC NEEDS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INCREASING THEIR INCOME, AND RAPIDLY SECURING PERMANENT HOUSING. HSP MANAGES 3 OF CARROLL COUNTY'S HOMELESS SHELTERS. SHELTER SERVICES OPERATE 24 HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE SAFE AND STABLE. IN ADDITION TO STABILITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES, SHELTERS ALSO PROVIDE FOOD, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, TELEPHONE, TRANSPORTATION, AND MAIL ASSISTANCE. IN AN EFFORT TO RAPIDLY BUILD TRUST AND PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT, SHELTER SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH CASE WORKER POSITION. THIS POSITION PROVIDES STREET/ENCAMPMENT OUTREACH SERVICES TO HOMELESS ADULTS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CARROLL COUNTY. THIS INCLUDES LINKING PARTICIPANTS TO AVAILABLE SERVICES AND SUPPORTING ENTRY INTO SHELTER WITH THE OVERALL GOAL OF SECURING HOUSING AND ENDING HOMELESSNESS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS CASE WORKER CONNECTS REGULARLY WITH COMMUNITIES, AGENCIES, AND RESOURCES IN ALL MUNICIPALITIES OF CARROLL COUNTY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT HSP SERVICES AND TO CONNECT WITH HOMELESS PARTICIPANTS IN THESE OUTLYING AREAS WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO ACCESS THESE SERVICES. - SHELTER SERVICES PROVIDED SAFE, STABLE ON-GOING SUPPORT FOR 338 UNIQUE PARTICIPANTS, 287 HOUSEHOLDS. - - FAMILY SHELTER SERVED 72 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: 30 ADULTS AND 42 CHILDREN, 60% EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING. - - ADULT ONLY SHELTER SERVED 77 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: 55 MEN AND 22 WOMEN, 58% EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING. - - NIGHT-BY-NIGHT SHELTER SERVED 237 PARTICIPANTS, 16% EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING, 21% TRANSITIONED INTO ADULT SHELTER. - 14% OF SHELTER PARTICIPANTS INCREASED THEIR INCOME. - 98% UTILIZATION RATE WITH AN AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF 128 DAYS. - 154 OUT OF 237 (65%) PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT THE NIGHT-BY-NIGHT SHELTER, WHICH SERVED THE HARDEST TO ENGAGE HOMELESS POPULATION. - STREET OUTREACH SERVED 62 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: 62 ADULTS, 23% EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING; 33% EXITED TO OTHER POSITIVE DESTINATIONS (THIS INCLUDES TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND ADULT ONLY SHELTER) - OVERALL EXITS TO POSITIVE DESTINATIONS, 56%. HOUSING SERVICES: HOUSING SERVICES WORK TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS WHEREVER POSSIBLE. HOUSING SERVICES SEAMLESSLY BLEND SERVICES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO THOSE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS. HSP CONDUCTS SHELTER AND HOUSING ELIGIBILITY SCREENINGS 5 DAYS A WEEK VIA WALK-IN HOURS, OVER THE PHONE, AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. AS PARTICIPANTS COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT, THEY ARE REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE HOUSING RESOURCES. IF A PARTICIPANT MEETS THE FEDERAL DEFINITION OF HOMELESS, THEY THEN ARE REFERRED TO COORDINATED ENTRY. COORDINATED ENTRY COMPLETES A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO OBJECTIVELY ASSESS THE PARTICIPANT'S VULNERABILITY OR NEED. PARTICIPANTS ARE THEN REFERRED TO SHELTER SERVICES, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PSHPWD), OR RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM. PSHPWD PROVIDES HOUSING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, HSP MAINTAINS 21 RENTAL UNITS FOR PARTICIPANTS. RAPID RE-HOUSING PROVIDES SHORT TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. IF A PARTICIPANT IS AT-RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS, HAS AN EVICTION, OR NEEDS A SECURITY DEPOSIT, HSP HAS ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO MEET THOSE NEEDS AND AVOID HOMELESSNESS. HSP IS THE COUNTY-WIDE ACCESS POINT FOR SECURITY DEPOSITS AND EVICTION PREVENTION, SERVING AS THE AUTHORIZING AGENCY FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITY FUNDING STREAMS. HSP ALSO RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, HSP PARTNERED WITH CARROLL COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO APPROVE COVID RELATED EVICTION PREVENTION FUNDING. - COMPLETED HOUSING AND SHELTER SERVICES SCREENINGS FOR 336 HOUSEHOLDS/603 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: 391 ADULTS AND 212 CHILDREN. - COORDINATED ENTRY SERVED 235 HOUSEHOLDS/353 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS; 263 ADULTS AND 90 CHILDREN; 49% EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING; 26% INCREASED INCOME. - PERMANENT HOUSING SERVED 28 HOUSEHOLDS/46 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS; 36 ADULTS AND 10 CHILDREN, 85% OF HOUSEHOLDS EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING. - RAPID RE-HOUSING PROVIDED HOUSING SUPPORT FOR 36 HOUSEHOLDS/48 TOTAL HOMELESS PARTICIPANTS; 45 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN, 43% OF HOUSEHOLDS EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING. - PREVENTED EVICTIONS FOR 56 HOUSEHOLDS/144 PARTICIPANTS; 92 ADULTS AND 52 CHILDREN; WITH 147,552. - COMPLETED 123 SECURITY DEPOSITS FOR 269 PARTICIPANTS; 158 ADULTS AND 111 CHILDREN; WITH 172,602. - ASSISTED WITH WATER TURNOFFS FOR 28 HOUSEHOLDS/82 PARTICIPANTS: 43 ADULTS AND 39 CHILDREN, 18,968. - COVID-19 RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM SERVED 22 HOUSEHOLDS/39 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS; 30 ADULTS AND 9 CHILDREN, 97% OF HOUSEHOLDS EXITED TO PERMANENT HOUSING. - EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (COVID RELIEF FUNDING; PROGRAM SUNSET DECEMBER 2022), SERVED 150 HOUSEHOLDS/380 PARTICIPANTS: 228 ADULTS AND 152 CHILDREN, DISBURSING 541,256. - - PREVENTED EVICTIONS FOR 148 HOUSEHOLDS/378 PARTICIPANTS: 227 ADULTS AND 151 CHILDREN, DISBURSING 509,515. - - PREVENTED UTILITY TURNOFFS FOR 21 HOUSEHOLDS/53 PARTICIPANTS: 32 ADULTS AND 21 CHILDREN, 10,421. - - ASSISTED WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS FOR 3 HOUSEHOLDS/7 PARTICIPANTS: 6 ADULTS AND 1 CHILD, 5,450. - - ASSISTED WITH OTHER HOUSING EXPENSES (LATE FEES/COURT FEES) FOR 94 HOUSEHOLDS/251 PARTICIPANTS: 151 ADULTS AND 100 CHILDREN, 15,870.

THE CARROLL COUNTY FAMILY CENTER PROVIDES SERVICES TO EXPECTANT PARENTS, AND PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE. THE CENTER PROVIDES A COZY AND HOMELIKE ENVIRONMENT FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO LEARN AND GROW TOGETHER. THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE CENTER IS TO ENSURE THAT YOUNG CHILDREN ARE HEALTHY - PHYSICALLY, DEVELOPMENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A HIGH-QUALITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON EARLY LITERACY, NURTURING INTERACTIONS, AND LEARNING THROUGH PLAY. DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, IMMUNIZATION CHECKS, AND DAILY PACT (PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER) ACTIVITIES ARE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM. WHILE THE CHILDREN ENGAGE IN THEIR OWN SPECIAL PROGRAMMING, PARENTS ALSO RECEIVE SERVICES. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, ENHANCE PARENTING SKILLS, AND PROVIDE QUALITY CASE MANAGEMENT. OUR ADULT EDUCATION PARTNER, CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, PROVIDES GED AND ESOL CLASSES FOR THE PARENTS. THE CENTER OFFERS PARENTING CLASSES USING EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULA SUCH AS THE "NURTURING PARENT PROGRAM," "CHICAGO PARENTING PROGRAM,- AND "CIRCLE OF SECURITY." OTHER CENTER-BASED SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, HEALTH CLASSES, JOB READINESS WORKSHOPS, PARENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND PEER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES. OUR MOST POPULAR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MONTHLY AND SEASONAL "SPECIAL EVENTS." THIS YEAR WE ENJOYED THEMES LIKE "MESS FEST," "MOM AND ME TEA PARTY," "LUAU DAY- AND "CARNIVAL DAY." NEW PROGRAMMING FOR PARENTS IN FY23 INCLUDED "CAFECITO" (COFFEE HOUSE FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING PARENTS), LEARNING TO WRITE IN CURSIVE, GENERAL DRIVER'S EDUCATION FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING PARENTS, AND COOKING CLASSES. THIS YEAR THE PARENTS ASSISTED IN PREPARING THE MENU ITEMS TO BE USED FOR THE SPECIAL EVENTS. ANOTHER KEY SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY CENTER IS THE HOME VISITING PROGRAM. SOME FAMILIES CANNOT ATTEND THE CENTER DUE TO VARIOUS BARRIERS OR CHALLENGES. TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THESE FAMILIES, THE CENTER HAS A HOME VISITING PROGRAM. THE HOME VISITOR CARRIES A CASELOAD OF 12 FAMILIES PER MONTH AND MEETS WITH EACH FAMILY IN THEIR OWN HOME THREE TIMES PER MONTH. THESE FAMILIES ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SOCIALIZATION OPPORTUNITY PER MONTH, SCHEDULED BY THE HOME VISITOR. ADULT EDUCATION (GED AND ESOL) CLASSES WERE CONDUCTED BY CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND WERE HELD EVERY MORNING, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. AFTERNOON PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING PARENTING, HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY CLASSES WERE OFFERED IN A HYBRID FASHION. THIS YEAR, 40 FAMILIES (93 PARENTS AND CHILDREN) PARTICIPATED IN CENTER-BASED PROGRAMS, AND 21 FAMILIES (58 PARENTS AND CHILDREN) ENGAGED IN HOME VISITING SERVICES. A TOTAL OF 3,577 PARTICIPATION VISITS WERE LOGGED BY CENTER-BASED FAMILIES, AND 1,167 PARTICIPATION VISITS BY HOME-VISIT FAMILIES. FISCAL YEAR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: - THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT TEAM SCORED A PERFECT 7.0 ON THEIR ANNUAL ITERS (INFANT & TODDLER ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE); - THE CENTER SCORED HIGH MARKS ON THE ANNUAL ON-SITE REVIEW, CONDUCTED BY THE MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK; - THE MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK FREQUENTLY BROUGHT NEW STAFF FROM OTHER CENTERS AROUND THE STATE TO RECEIVE TRAINING AND SUPPORT FROM THE CARROLL COUNTY FAMILY CENTER TEAM.