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NEWS RELEASE

March 24, 2008

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National County Government Week, April 5 – 12

Howard County Celebrates with Activities that Focus on “Protecting our Children”

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Ken Ulman has announced plans to celebrate National County Government Week (NCGW) April 5-12 with activities that highlight many of the county-sponsored programs and services that protect and enhance the safety, health and welfare of our children.

“National County Government Week is always a great opportunity for us to showcase the services local government provides,” said Executive Ulman. “Whether we’re bringing attention to the plight of children who are victims of abuse and neglect, teaching parents how to prepare young children for learning or educating our citizens about how to be environmentally responsible so the world will be a safer place, protecting children and families is one of our top priorities.”

Howard County will kickoff NCGW on Saturday, April 5 with GreenFest at the Glenwood Community Center, a Discovery Fair at the East Columbia Branch of Howard County Library and a Child Safety Seat Check at Fire Station 5 in Clarksville (appointments are required – call 410-313-6090). Howard County’s Department of Fire & Rescue Services will conduct two Community Emergency Response Training programs during the week that will focus on the actions to take and supplies to have on hand to keep children and families safe should a disaster strike.

There will also be an open house at the County’s Child Advocacy Center that will include information about the “Blue Ribbon for Kids” Campaign to raise awareness about children who are victims of abuse and neglect. The Center was opened in 1991 as a place where young victims could be interviewed and examined in a safe, friendly environment.

National County Government Week is an annual celebration of county government that was first held in 1991. The goal of NCGW is to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s counties.

A complete list of events is attached below and also available on the Howard County web site: www.howardcountymd.gov.

** National County Government Week Activities **

April 5
Discovery Fair
9 am – noon
East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia

Since April is the “Month of the Young Child”, Howard County’s Office of Children’s Services, the Early Childhood and Child Care Coalition, Howard County Library and Maryland Family Magazine will sponsor this Discovery Fair to help prepare young children for school. Activities include hands-on activities, interactive games and story times.

For more information, please call the Howard County Office of Children’s Services at 410-313-1940 or the Howard County Library at 410-313-7750.

Child Safety Seat Check
9 am – noon
Station 5, Clarksville Volunteer Fire Company, 5000 Signal Bell Lane

Car crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 3-14 in the United States. To reduce the risk of injury and death to children who ride in vehicles, Howard County Government and Safe Kids Howard County will sponsor a child safety seat check.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling 410-313-6090.

GreenFest
9 am – 1 pm
Glenwood Community Center

Sponsored by the Departments of Recreation & Parks and Planning & Zoning and the Bureau of Environmental Services, this free family event celebrates Earth Month. Displays will offer practical information about the environment and how new energy efficient technology can be used to promote more ecologically sound, safer lifestyles for families.

There will be hands-on, educational activities to teach children more about the environment, nature walks and a demonstration of live animals from “Reptiles Alive.” Community groups and local businesses that focus on environmental initiatives and healthy living will also have exhibits.

For more information on the event and the schedule of activities, visit http://www.howardcountymd.gov/DPZ/Environment/environmentagriculture.htm

April 8
“The Listening Place” Child Advocacy Center Open House
2 – 4 pm
3421 Rogers Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043

County Executive Ken Ulman will proclaim April “Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month” and talk about the “Blue Ribbons for Kids Campaign,” adopted in Howard County to bring attention to the plight of children who are victims of child abuse and neglect. Joining the County Executive to highlight some of the systems and programs in place to protect Howard County children will be Chief of Police Bill McMahon and Charlene Gallion, Director of the Department of Social Services and Chair of the Executive Committee for the Child Advocacy Center. The Center was opened in 1991 as a place where children who are victims can be interviewed and examined in a safe, friendly environment.

For more information on the event, contact the County’s Office of Public Information at 410-313-2022.

April 9
CERT Personal Preparedness Education Class
7 – 10 pm
James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center

Howard County’s Department of Fire & Rescue Services, Bureau of Emergency Management will conduct this Community Emergency Response Training to educate participants about the disasters that are most likely to occur in Howard County and the steps individuals and families can take to be prepared for those disasters. Discussion will include supplies to have on hand and actions to take to keep your family safe until first responders arrive.

For more information or to register, call Rich Philps, CERT Program Coordinator, at 443-472-8212 or e-mail him at rphilps@howardcountymd.gov

April 12
CERT Personal Preparedness Education Class
8 – 11 am
James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center

This will be a repeat of the Wednesday, April 9 program.