Human Services Programs and Training in Social Services in a Rural County Lacking a Community Action Agency I. TOPIC: Regionalized Human Services and Social Services Program II. LOCATION: Upper and Mid Shore Rural Counties - Maryland III. SUBJECT: Developing Human Services Programs And Training In Social Services In Rural Counties Lacking A Community Action Agency IV. SUMMARY: Maryland Rural Development Corporation (MRDC) was founded in 1978 to administer a statewide demonstration project for three years. In 1982-83, the Maryland Department of Human Resources continued to fund MRDC to provide technical assistance to small rural towns in capital development activities. In 1983, the Department of Human resources requested MRDC to focus upon developing low-income human services related programs in counties in Maryland that lacked an established community action type agency. An executive director and planning staff were retained in Winter 1983-84. Since that time MRDC has developed a number of program services that span six counties as well as statewide. MRDC services are provided to over 4,000 persons in the Mid Shore area annually. V. SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE: Regionalized system for the delivery of human services and related programs to benefit communities without a Community Action Agency. VI. CONTACT Don Curtis Executive Director Maryland Rural Development Corporation (A Community Action Agency) P.O. Box 4848 Annapolis, Maryland 21403 (410) 269-0910 (410) 269-1138 (Fax) VII. CASE STUDY The Problem: The Maryland Mid and Upper shore rural counties of Caroline, Cecil, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot lacked a system for cost effective delivery of human service programs to the low income population. The Approach Adopted: In 1978, the state of Maryland gave a grant to establish MRDC in order to administer a three year statewide demonstration program of providing services to the low income population. In 1983, based on this experience, the state Department of Human Resources requested MRDC to focus its efforts in those counties that lacked an established community action type agency. How They Implemented The Approach: After a detailed needs assessment was performed, the lack of affordable housing, transportation, and day care and child development opportunities were identified as having great impact upon the State's low income citizen's quality of life. Consequently, MRDC focused initially upon these areas of need. With limited available funds, MRDC concentrated its efforts upon the Mid and Upper areas of the Maryland Eastern Shore. Results: MRDC administers the Caroline County Section 8 Housing Program to over 149 households throughout the county annually. Short term (6-12 months) financial assistance and case management services are also available to families in need through MRDC's Rental Allowance Program. Homeless assistance is provided to families and individuals who receive six months of one-on-one counseling and follow-up to help stabilize housing arrangements. Emergency family assistance is available to families and individuals in need on a case by case basis. The Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD) has certified MRDC as a "HUD Certified Housing Counseling" agency. Staff provide counseling to families who are interested in home purchase. Counseling is also provided in landlord/tenant relations and eviction prevention. Assistance is given to families applying to Department of Agriculture and State of Maryland housing rehabilitation programs. Head Start services are provided for eligible families residing in Caroline, Cecil and Harford Counties. Head Start services were provided to 392 low income children ages 3-5 and their families in FY 1994. Medically related transportation services are provide for holders of the Maryland Medical Assistance Card, Head Start enrollees, Community Rehabilitation patients and other third party entities. Over 450,000 miles are driven annually to provide services to low income and handicapped persons. VIII. PROGRAM SPIN-OFFS Working in conjunction with other rural non-profit agencies, state and federal agencies and local government, MRDC seeks ways to advocate for and improve rural water/waste water and solid waste services. Research and systems analysis, development/implementation of public education efforts, technical assistance in regulatory compliance, project development, problem identification, loan/grant packaging and system operations and administration is offered at no cost to the community. Working in partnership with state and federal agencies, community based organizations, and local government the Maryland Rural Community Assistance project (MD-RCAP) provides rural water, wastewater, solid waste, and local leadership development services to eligible communities throughout rural Maryland. Through analysis of existing systems, technical and operational assistance and public information efforts, MD-RCAP seeks to help low income Marylanders to obtain adequate, affordable water and waste disposal services. In 1993-94, MD-RCAP assisted 32 rural, low income communities and promoted over $5.5 million dollars in local systems improvements. MD-RCAP also sponsors the Eastern Shore Consortium that provides technical assistance and municipal administrative support to small towns lacking a full time manager or administrator. Needs assessment, infrastructure planning and implementation, project development/analysis and funding support may be provided as a service of the Eastern Shore Circuit Rider program. Funded jointly through the State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and participating jurisdictions, this program provides support in preserving the rural quality of life and fostering local decision making and community leadership. IX. KEY WORDS Small Rural Towns Human Services Capital Development Regionalized Service Delivery Community Action Agency Affordable Housing Transportation Day Care Child Development Case Management Services Emergency Assistance Counseling Rural Water Systems Waste Water Systems Circuit Rider Ref: eastshr.doc