A one-stop shop for human services available to Howard County residents – some agencies are not only for Howard County residents. Call to inquire and to be directed to the appropriate agency. All agencies provide full services unless otherwise stated:
Accessible Resources for Independence (ARI)
ARI provides services to enhance quality of life and strengthen support systems including accessibility adaptations, peer mentoring, advocacy, independent living skills training, transition services, information and referral, and more...all designed to help people with disabilities take part in and contribute to their communities. Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 11am – 7pm.
Community Action Council (CAC)
CAC services include eviction prevention, first month’s rent, energy assistance and referral to AMVET Thrift Store. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and Wednesday, 11am – 7pm.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS)
DSS provides assistance to low-income families through the TCA grant, SNAP and Medical Assistance, Tuesdays, 8:30am – 4:30pm and Wednesdays, 11am – 7pm.
FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES (FCS)
FCS provides case management services, counseling for individuals, couples and families. Offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm and Wednesday, 11am – 7pm.
FOREIGN BORN INFORMATION AND REFERRAL (FIRN)
FIRN provides services to immigrants. Services include immigration counseling, interpreters, consumer counseling, adult and student literacy, job counseling and crisis counseling. Offered Tuesdays, 11am – 4pm.
THE JACARANDA CENTER FOR FAMILY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Provides a variety of support programs and trainings to strengthen families and help adults and youth thrive. These include: 1) Marriage and Relationship Support; 2) Family Strengthening Courses; 3) Parent Workshops; 4) Youth Programs; 5) Wellness programs and 6) Professional Development Training and Consulting for Family and Youth Providers. For more information, contact us at (410) 978-1859 or visit our website at www.thejacarandacenter.org. Office hours offered Mondays, 8:30am – 2:30pm.
MAKING CHANGE (MC)
MC provides a variety of programs to help you with your finances. These include: 1) Financial Coaching: personalized financial education for individuals to develop healthier money habits. These sessions encourage learners to develop a personal spending plan, create a strategy to pay down debt, or set financial goals and plans for success; 2) Financial Seminars: programs provided on a broad range of financial topics focused on comprehensive, personal money management skills; and 3) Free Tax Preparation: available for eligible individuals who made less than $54,000 in 2016. Appointments are encouraged with walk-ins accepted based upon availability. Please visit our website at www.makingchangecenter.org to learn more or make an appointment. Monday, Tuesday, Friday 1:30pm - 4:30pm and Wednesdays, 1:30pm – 6:30pm
MARYLAND LEGAL AID
Legal Aid provides free legal services to low income persons. Areas of law include family, consumer, public benefits, housing and elder law. Provides representation to vulnerable populations such as seasonal farm workers, nursing home and assisted living residents. Second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month, 11am – 6pm.
MEALS ON WHEELS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND (MOW)
MOW enables people to live independently at home through the provision of nutritious meals, personal contact and related services:
- Deliver a hot and cold meal daily (M-F between 11am and 1:30pm)
- Use a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay
- Sometimes there are subsidies that completely cover the cost of meals for individuals over 60 years of age
Other programs that Meals on Wheels offers:
- Healing Meals Helping Hands: once a week frozen meal deliveries for individuals with cancer or chronic health condition
- Volunteer Grocery Shopping Program
- Phone Pal and Volunteer Companions to reduce client isolation
- Kibble Connection: Free pet food deliveries (cat and dog food)
OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (OWD)
OWD strives to generate employment and training workforce solutions which are responsive to business and job seeker needs. The office of Workforce Development provides professional and individualized services to job seekers. Offered Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am -6pm.
RE-ENTRY PROGRAM
Re-entry assists individuals experiencing barriers in housing, employment or other services due to their criminal history. Staff meets with client to determine areas of need and link the client to agencies to address the needs. Examples of assistance include: linkage to public assistance benefits such as food stamps and medical assistance, employment assistance, housing search and assistance, linkage to vocational training or college, linkage to food pantries and clothes closets, referral to addictions services and local NA/AA meetings, referral to mental health and medical service providers, and assistance with accessing and navigating public transportation. Criteria for services: a minimum of one night spent incarcerated at a correctional facility. Mondays, 12:00pm – 6:00pm, Thursdays, 12:30pm – 4:30pm and Fridays by appointment only.
SUCCESS IN STYLE (SIS)
SIS provides business wardrobes and coaching at no cost to disadvantaged men and women seeking employment. A referral is needed. Services offered on Tuesdays, 12:30pm -2:00pm and Wednesdays, 11am – 4pm.