Join us for the MASSB Winter Meeting on March 1st, meet Frederick County's Uplifting Families care-giving initiative, and learn about new mini-grant funding for local boards.
Greetings Everyone. Welcome to February — a month to celebrate care and action for our communities! As we honor the independence our senior community deserves, let us also focus on understanding the policy environment within the context of volunteering and supporting vulnerable populations. With the senior population in Frederick County expected to double by 2030, the need for resources and advocacy has never been greater. This February, let us answer the call to action by learning, volunteering, and advocating for change.
With that in mind, join us at the MASSB Winter Meeting on Saturday, March 1st, from 9am to 12pm at the Howard County DSS. This event will bring together legislative experts who will present on the legislative process and current state and federal legislation impacting DHS. In addition, we will also explore ways to support your local department through advocacy. I hope to see many of you in-person so that we can connect and find ways to uplift families and support our communities. Let us make February a month of action, advocacy, and compassion.
Best,
Tony
Saturday, March 1st, 9am–12pm, hosted by Howard County DSS, 9780 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 (please park in the lot and come in through the front entrance).
Please join us in learning about the legislative process, and current state and federal legislation that impacts DHS. Presented by Rachel Sledge, DHS Director of Government Affairs, and her team. We will follow with additional board training topics, including ways to support your local department with regard to advocacy. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged!
RSVP HereDuring February each year, we celebrate the independence our senior community deserves and draw attention to the necessary resources that help make this happen. Frederick County's DSS Advisory Board, known locally as Uplifting Families in Frederick County, is answering this call to action by focusing on the need for additional resources dedicated to care-giving and respite care.
The Board recently hosted a Care-Giving workshop to highlight the growing needs of the community and discuss potential improvements. The workshop began with a panel of subject matter experts that included Adult Services from the local Department of Social Services, Frederick County Division of Aging & Independence, local nonprofits that serve the Senior community, and the Maryland Office of Adult Services.
According to U.S. Census data, in 2020, 14.5% of the county's population was 65 or older. By 2030, this number is expected to double, and the 85-and-older demographic is set to nearly quadruple over the next two decades.
This rapid growth places immense pressure on care-giving resources. Almost half — 48% — of senior households in Frederick County struggle to afford basic needs, and many caregivers are stretched beyond their limits. With 66% of family caregivers balancing work alongside care-giving responsibilities, U.S. businesses face up to $33.6 billion in annual productivity losses due to absenteeism, interruptions, and staff turnover. As care-giving stress increases, more seniors are placed in assisted living or nursing facilities, which can bring significant financial burdens for families and strain Medicare and Medicaid systems.
Read MoreGrants up to $2,500 are now available for local boards. The funds are intended to address community needs or kick-start larger initiatives for which boards lack funding. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Apply Here