In Support of Youth Mental Health Month, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces Impactful $850,000 Investment in HoCo STRIVES

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced his $850,000 commitment in new funding towards the HoCo STRIVES (Strategies to Reach an Inclusive Vision and Equitable Solutions) initiative, that he has included in his proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Operating Budget. This funding will help with the launch of the County’s Department of Community Resources Services’ (DCRS) Office of the Local Children Board’s (LCB) new Generation Teach GT STEAM Academy and bus circulator program and expand upon its existing youth mental health initiatives. The LCB is one of 24 Local Management Boards in the state charged with overseeing local priorities for vulnerable children and young people. This funding is in addition to Ball’s proposed $800 million in total County operating funding to the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), which is $39.3 million above the state-mandated Maintenance of Effort requirement.

The LCB’s new Generation Teach GT STEAM Academy will provide 225 Laurel Woods Elementary School current kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth grade students with the opportunity to participate in this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) focused summer learning program. Offered at no cost to families and including free breakfast and lunch, this five-week, 24-day summer learning program will run from July 7th to August 7th and provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment where they can thrive, regardless of their academic background, and develop their skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

In addition to helping fund the GT STEAM Academy, this FY2026 investment will also allow the LCB to build upon its existing youth mental health initiatives by helping mental health providers add service capacity, expand therapeutic care options for young people, and equip providers with culturally responsive training.

Finally, to assist families and help ensure all Howard County young people are able to take advantage of these new and expanded upon LCB programs, this funding also allows for the establishment of a new bus circulator program. The bus circulator program will be exclusively dedicated to HoCo STRIVES youth to provide them with transportation to and from these programs.

“We continue to see growing needs in mental health, social and emotional development, workforce readiness, and other critical areas. We are deeply grateful for County Executive Ball’s ongoing commitment to investing in our young people. The additional funding in FY2026 will allow us to expand essential services, close existing gaps, and provide comprehensive support that empowers youth to navigate both the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow,” said Jackie Scott, DCRS Director.

Ball launched HoCo STRIVES in 2018 to provide educational and behavioral health services for children and youth across Howard County. The program was established to address the county’s persistent academic achievement gap, despite it having one of the best school systems in the country. The program serves as an umbrella for several initiatives that engage a cross-sector of partners, with the goal of ensuring all Howard County children and young people can succeed in school by removing the barriers that negatively impact student achievement.

Since the program’s launch, Ball has invested nearly $6 million in HoCo STRIVES. This investment has increased funding for workforce development, afterschool and summer learning programs, food access, and mental health services, including:

• Summer Scholars prepares select middle school students for high school with the academic and social emotional skills needed to graduate and advance into college and career readiness. In its six years, the program has assisted nearly 700 middle school students. In its most recent year, more than 90 percent of rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders performed well enough on standardized testing to advance to the next math level. Generation Teach will serve as the next iteration of this program.
• Elementary Summer Scholars provides select elementary school students with social emotional skills through intensive student engagement. In its past three summers, this program has served more than 180 elementary school students, all who have emerged from the program with documented social emotional skills gains. These gains are preparing these students for success in middle school.
• Workforce Readiness provides services to young people who are at risk or involved with the juvenile justice system. The program began as a summer-only program, but now operates year-round. Since its establishment four years ago, the program has served more than 100 youth, of which, upon completion of the program, more than 85 percent have shown demonstrated job readiness and skill development.
• The Building Youth Resiliency Program identifies youth in need of mental health support, who are unable to access treatment due to cost, transportation, and other barriers. Youth are identified by a network of referral partners, including HCPSS, the Howard County Department of Social Services, Howard County Police Department, and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, among others. Through this program, Howard County youth receive targeted case management, medication management, transportation, therapy, and other behavioral health services they need to remain in their community. Since 2020, the program has served more than 300 youth and continues to maintain a wait time of three days or fewer between referral and first appointment.
• The Psychiatric Rehab Program targets youth in need of mental health services who are privately underinsured or altogether uninsured. Services include rehabilitation and support to develop and enhance community and independent living skills in a client’s home or in their community. The program serves approximately 15 to 25 youth per year, with 85 percent of participating youth maintaining their mental stability 90 to 120 days after completing the program. 

This initiative builds on Ball’s recent commitment to supporting Howard County’s Young people, including the establishment of the Youth Engagement Strategies (YES!) workgroup, additional Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grants, and the County’s Department of Recreation and Parks’ Teen Kick Backs program.

Hear what our partners are saying about Ball’s proposed FY26 budget for youth and families:

• Laura Zahn, Founder & CEO, Generation Teach – “Generation Teach is honored to partner with the Howard County Local Children's Board and Howard County Public Schools System to provide our award-winning AmeriCorps Summer Teaching Fellowship, GT STEAM Academy, and AmeriCorps Leadership Residency in 2025 and 2026. Following a successful 2024 pilot serving 56 teaching fellows, 134 elementary students, and 10 professional teachers, the Howard County Local Children's Board has funded 2025 and 2026 programming, providing effective workforce development for high-school and college students, meaningful summer learning opportunities for elementary students, and powerful learning opportunities for professional teachers. In 2024, 100% of teaching fellows developed skills they'll use whether or not they become teachers; 100% of families recommended the GT STEAM Academy to other families; and 100% of professional teachers grew as leaders. We are grateful to the Local Children's Board for their deep investment in the children, young adults, and professional teachers of Howard County.”
• Tracy Broccolino, President, Community Action Council of Howard County – “County Executive Ball’s continued support and increased funding for the Local Children’s Board is critical to the work of the Board that benefits countless children across our community. This year’s funding will allow the Local Children’s Board to pilot a bus circulator, ensuring more children have access to before and after care as well as summer programming. This access means more parents can maintain full time employment, and their families can remain economically stable on their path self-sufficiency. We are grateful for Dr. Ball’s commitment to the children and families of our community.”
• Michael Allen, Executive Director, All Things Possible, Inc. – “The expansion of youth mental health services in Howard County marks a significant milestone. This investment illustrates the community’s commitment to the well-being of its young residents. The recent funding provided by Howard County represents a critical step forward.  Over the years since COVID our agency has witnessed a trend with an increase with multiple members of a family needing mental health support to deal with daily struggles. The additional funding will have a positive impact in assisting youth who experience challenges with anxiety, depression, and trauma. By investing in early intervention and strengthening the availability of professional support, the County is ensuring that young people have the tools and resources they need to navigate life’s challenges, build a healthier future and succeed. Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially for our youth. All Things Possible, Inc. is incredibly grateful to Howard County for recognizing this need and taking meaningful action. This funding will have a lasting impact on the lives of countless young people and their families.”
• Ludley Howard, Executive Director, Pride Youth Services – “Pride Youth Services is very pleased to partner with Wilde Lake Middle and Wilde Lake High School during the 2024-2025 school year to provide our Adolescent Female Forum to Inspire, Respect & Motivate (AFFIRM) youth development program to female students who attend these respective schools. Our program has been successful in engaging and improving the overall well-being of these students and we look forward to our continued partnership for the 2025-2025 school year! I also would like to thank and acknowledge the Howard County Local Children's Board for funding the AFFIRM Program.”