"Handle with Care Maryland"

On January 22, the Frederick County launched a program that provides a quick and efficient way for law enforcement and emergency medical services to alert school personnel that a student was present at a traumatic incident.

"Our community’s future prosperity lies with our children, but traumatic events impact a child’s life in a negative way," commented Executive Gardner. "I’m proud to say that Frederick County is on the leading edge in taking an innovative approach to helping these children who face toxic stress. It takes a village, and this is a village coming together to take care of our children."

Emergency responders trigger the Handle with Care program when someone under 18 years old is affected by a violent or traumatic incident. Law enforcement or EMS alert Frederick County Public Schools or the county’s Child Advocacy Center, depending on the child’s age. Details of an incident are not provided to the school, to preserve the child’s privacy, but teachers and administrators know that a specific child may need additional support. That support could take many forms, such as a nap for an elementary school student, extra time to complete homework or an exam for a middle or high school student, or other ways to help deal with trauma or stress. Some children may need more intensive assistance, so mental health care can be made available at a school.

The Child Advocacy Center, which is part of the county’s Division of Citizens Services, received a grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention to coordinate Handle with Care Maryland in Frederick County. In addition to the CAC, community collaboration includes emergency responders, both with the County’s Division of Fire and Rescue Services and with every law enforcement agency in Frederick County, along with partners at FCPS.

For more information about Handle with Care Maryland, call the Child Advocacy Center at 301-600-1758.

State to Funding County Detox Center

Frederick County is slated to receive $500,000 toward a detox treatment facility as part of the Governor’s proposed budget for the upcoming year. County Executive Jan Gardner requested capital funds to renovate the second floor of the county’s work release center into separate space for a privately operated detox facility. Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford today announced that the State budget for fiscal year 2020 will include capital funds for the project.

"I am excited that the State is helping to fund the renovations for our detox center," Executive Gardner said Thursday. "This bipartisan partnership will help us to meet the needs of citizens who are struggling with addiction. Recovery is a long and difficult journey. We can help those on that journey by making detox treatment and services available in our community."

The County has identified the need for a detox treatment facility as the most critical gap in treatment services. In September 2018, Executive Gardner announced that the County was seeking proposals from providers who may be interested in establishing a detox center within Frederick County. Up to $710,000 in grant funds were set aside to help the selected provided with start-up expenses. As an option, the County offered underutilized separate space within the Frederick County Work Release Center as a potential location for the center, if a provider were interested in using the facility. Provider proposals are currently being reviewed, with an announcement expected in February.

The Livable Frederick Master Plan

Want to Learn About Livable Frederick? Want to speak directly with planners About the future of Frederick County? The attending the Second FCPC Public Hearing Draft presentation February 25 at the Catoctin High School. The presentation begins at 7 p.m..

Public outreach meetings will include a short presentation from planning staff to give a brief synopsis of the plan and provide information about what has changed since the last version. Staff will be available following the presentation to hear your thoughts on Frederick County’s future.

County Seeks Nominees for 2019 Sustainability Awards

The Frederick County Sustainability Commission is accepting nominations for its 2019 Sustainability Awards to recognize individuals and organizations in Frederick County that have made an outstanding contribution in helping the county advance sustainability efforts. Awards are presented based on demonstrated leadership, innovation, and success in sustainability. Awards are available to individuals, nonprofits and commercial enterprises.

Examples of outstanding efforts include implementing energy efficiency, encouraging renewable energy, improving air and water quality, building green, reusing and recycling, and/or supporting a sustainable quality of life.

Applications are reviewed by the Frederick County Sustainability Commission. Winners will be presented their awards at the 8th Annual Green Homes Challenge Nomination Forms are due no later February 14. Electronic submissions are preferred and should be sent to dashbacher@FrederickCountyMD.gov. Applications may also be mailed to the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources, 30 N. Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701, or faxed to 301-600-2054.

Copies of the forms are available at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/SustainabilityAwards. For more information, call 301-600-6864

County Holds First Veterans Advisory Council Meeting

The inaugural meeting of the Frederick County Veterans Advisory Council took place Jan. 23. The Veterans Advisory Council was created to serve as a conduit for information and resources for the county’s 17,000 veterans and their families who may need assistance furthering their education, finding employment, receiving counseling or finding other services.

The advisory council is comprised of seven voting members and seven non-voting members. Voting members include: Maj. Daniel Campbell, USAF, Retired; Lt. Col. Sharon D. Jacko, USMC, Retired; CWO3 David P. Kaye, USA, Retired; Veterans Affairs Director Rachel Nachlas, Frederick Community College; Col. Fred Schumacher, USA, Retired; Capt. John Lynn Shanton, USN, Retired, and Frederick Wood, Sr., USN.

Non-voting members include: Director Michelle Day, Workforce Services; Veterans Administration – Fort Detrick – Community Based Outpatient Clinic Manager Doylette "Dee" Harrison, R.N.; Del. Carol Krimm, Maryland House of Delegates – District 3A; County Council Member Steve McKay; Assistant Vice President for Support Services Michael McLane, Frederick Memorial Hospital; Field Representative Robin Summerfield, Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, and Director Andrea Walker, Behavioral Health Services, Frederick County Health Department.

Executive Gardner opened the first meeting of the advisory council by introducing the members and giving an overview of their roles and responsibilities. There was also presentations by the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families, and a discussion about a process for the election of officers and a determination of future meeting dates and times.

For more information, contact Administrative Officer Joyce Grossnickle at 301-600-1102 or via e-mail at jgrossnickle@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Chief Administrative Officer Barnes to Retire

Chief Administrative Officer Raymond Barnes retired from Frederick County Government on Jan. 31. Mr. Barnes oversees daily operations for all 18 county divisions under the direction of the county executive.

"I asked Ray to come out of retirement so that I could utilize his outstanding managerial skills and knowledge of government operations. He has done a fabulous job and will be greatly missed," Executive Gardner commented. "I join all of our directors and employees in wishing him the very best in his retirement."

Mr. Barnes retired January 1, 2017, as chief operating officer for Frederick County Public Schools. Executive Gardner named him as Acting CAO in September 2017. The County Council confirmed his appointment in March 2018. He brought 35 years of experience in government, including more than a decade working in the Planning and Zoning Department of Frederick County Government.

"I would like to express my appreciation to all our directors for the outstanding job they do on a day-to-day basis serving our citizens," said Mr. Barnes. "I also want to thank County Executive Gardner for allowing me the privilege of serving as chief administrative officer."

Executive Gardner also announced that Budget Director Rick Harcum will serve as acting CAO beginning Feb. 1. "I am very pleased that Rick will serve as acting CAO," Executive Gardner said. "His financial experience and knowledge of county government will be a great asset to our citizens."

Mr. Harcum was appointed budget director in February 2016. Previously, he served as director of performance management, budget director and in other budget-related roles at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for over 25 years. He also worked at the Maryland Department of Transportation as a financial planner and as a financial analyst for a telecommunications corporation. Mr. Harcum earned his master’s degree in finance and his bachelor of science in business administration, both from the University of Maryland.