Dear Community Partners,

The Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families (WCCP) is seeking interested private citizens who are residents of Washington County to fill WCCP board openings. Private citizens may include individuals from the professional and business community, recipients of services, child service volunteers, leaders from the religious community and providers of family services. For more information or to receive an application, please contact Victoria Meldron, WCCP Senior Office Associate, at 240-313-2095 or vmeldron@washco-md.net.

I’d like to also bring to your attention that the Nineteenth Annual Workshop on Child Abuse and Neglect, “Sharing the Responsibility in Changing Times” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bethel Assembly of God Church. Many community partners have come together to plan this valuable day of training. I encourage you to view the brochure by (clicking here) to learn more about the training being provided.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Stone, WCCP Director

The Governor’s Office for Children (GOC) has released the “State of Maryland Report on Out-of-Home Placements and Family Preservation.” The GOC explains in the introduction that, “the purpose of this report is to examine the status of Maryland’s out-of-home placements and analyze trends. This analysis focuses on (1) the numbers and costs relating to out-of-home and out-of-state placements, and (2) the numbers and costs of preventing out-of-home placement through the Interagency Family Preservation Services (IFPS) provided through Local Management Boards (LMBs) across the state and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Family Preservation Services provided through the Local Departments of Social Services.” Please (click here) to view the report.

To view an evaluation summary of the workshop, please (click here).

The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 10 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hagerstown. Carol Little and Toni Nelson, Parent Coordinators for the Partners for Success Family Support Center, will be presenting a workshop entitled "Developing Friendships." For more information, please (click here).

Families caring for a child with mental health needs often feel overwhelmed and isolated from others in trying to navigate the complex System of Care. They may also feel that they are a failure and embarrassed to let anyone know about their child’s mental health issues. The demands of caring for their child may have an impact on their family life, emotional well-being and even their employment. Across the nation, these families have found the greatest support and strength from other families in similar situations. Families find each other through their child’s programs, schools, the Internet and/or through family organizations. Once connected, families share information and provide each other invaluable mutual support. In seeing others with similar challenges, these families feel that they are not alone. This realization is often very comforting.

In recognition of the need to outreach to these families, the Washington County Mental Health Authority, Inc. has provided funding to The Family Network. Lori Connolly, former Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families (WCCP) Board member and a parent of a child with special needs, has been hired as a Community Outreach Staff for The Family Network. In her new capacity, she will provide guidance, one-on-one mentoring and support to families of children with mental health needs. Additionally, she will encourage their participation on systems reform boards, collaborations, planning teams, etc.

For more information about The Family Network, please contact Debbie Green, Regional Family Navigation Coordinator for The Family Network, at 240-313-2086.