The Washington County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), known as the Safe Place, has received full accreditation status, with no recommendations, from the National Children’s Alliance (NCA). During an open house celebration on January 30, 2006, Nancy Chandler, NCA Executive Director, presented Theresa Thorn, CAC Program Manager, the accreditation certificate. First Lady Kendel Ehrlich, Governor’s Office for Children Executive Director Arlene Lee and Delegate Christopher Shank, among other local dignitaries, attended the celebration.

The CAC is a child-friendly, community-oriented, facility-based program in which representatives from many disciplines meet to discuss and make decisions about the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases. Partnering agencies include: Washington County Department of Social Services, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Health Department, Maryland State Police, Hagerstown City Police, Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office, Washington County Hospital, Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families and Antietam Pediatrics & Adolescent Care.

Pictured Above: (from left to right) First Lady Kendel Ehrlich, WCCP Director Stephanie Stone, Dr. Ruth Dwyer and CAC Program Manager Theresa Thorn

In the last issue of the “Partnerships” E- Newsletter, Governor Ehrlich’s Proposed Disability Budget Initiatives were highlighted. The proposed line entitled “Wrap-Around, Respite, and Family Networks” includes $1.8 million dollars for the Governor’s Office for Children for “improved local access to services through the creation of Family Navigators.” This comes as promising news for the Washington County Local 1386 Planning Team (WCLPT), whose Local Access Mechanism (LAM) plan includes incorporating the services of a Family Navigator.

A Family Navigator, who will have experience as a family member coping with a child with special needs, will be assigned to a family referred to the LAM if: 1) the family is not currently linked with, has been ruled as ineligible for, or has exhausted case management services elsewhere; 2) coordination of multiple service agencies is requested; and/or 3) assistance identifying and linking families who have a child with a developmental disability, mental health need and/or other intensive needs to appropriate resources and services is requested. Additionally, the Family Navigator will work closely with families and the Expanded Local Coordinating Council to develop a plan of care, (services, resources, funding) based upon a family-centered, wrap-around approach.

The Baltimore City One Stop Family Support and Resource Center, a LAM pilot site, has been in operation for almost a year. When asked about the incorporation of the services of a Family Navigator, Project Director Valerie Oulds-Dunbar expressed that “families we have worked with have reported to us that they felt more comfortable and were able to open up more about their concerns and needs to the Family Navigator once they learned that this person also had a child with special needs." "It lends automatic credibility to the relationship building process –similar to what occurs in support groups of people that share similar needs or experiences, especially those of an intense or emotional nature. The Family Navigator is in many respects, an extension of the shared bond that all parents of children with special needs have with one another.”

The initial family members of children with mental health needs participating on the WCLPT, have echoed these same feelings, expressing that they feel an increased comfort level while interfacing with someone who has “walked in their shoes.”

In a press release dated February 13, 2006, the Office of the Governor announced Governor Ehrlich’s transfer of the Purchase of Care (POC) program to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). With this executive order, Governor Ehrlich “makes Maryland one of the first states in the nation to recognize childcare as a central component of the state’s educational services.” The POC program, formerly managed by the Department of Human Resources (DHR), provides financial assistance to low-income families to help them pay for childcare.

“Maryland is setting the standard for the rest of the country,” said Governor Ehrlich.” “By unifying Purchase of Care and other early childhood programs under the State Department of Education, we are ensuring that disadvantaged children enter the classroom better prepared to succeed. In addition, our Purchase of Care program removes a barrier for thousands of parents so they can secure quality care for their children while entering the workforce and achieving economic independence.”

The Governor is also transferring budget and operational responsibility to MSDE. DHR will continue to provide both eligibility screening and payment processing through local departments of social services.

When contacted, Dave Engle, Director of the Washington County Department of Social Services (WCDSS), expressed that, "the WCDSS is committed to working with state and local MSDE staff to ensure a seamless transition for Washington County residents who qualify for childcare vouchers."