#MACoCon Academy Electives Highlight Best Practices in Foster Care, Emergencies, Procurement, and Jails

academylogoCounty Fellows of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance are required to complete 8 Core Courses and 6 Elective Credits – MACo announces 4 Electives to be held at their 2017 Winter Conference.

Core Courses to be offered: Consensus & Teambuilding, Basics of Risk Management, and Public Information Act

Academy Fellows with questions about their transcripts should contact registrar Aisha Washington at awashin1@umd.edu or (301) 314-2641.

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Buying Into Your Buyers: How to Save Money, Stay Out of Trouble, and Keep Your Procurement Officer Happy

Perplexed by the world of procurement, and not even sure what questions to ask? Trust us: you’re not alone. The complicated web of public purchasing often leaves county officials dazed, confused, and baffled by why their procurement officers seem like they are always saying “no.” But your purchaser is your partner, and wants to save you money, support your needs, and keep you out of trouble. Join county procurement officers for this session on Purchasing 101 – and learn how to get from “no” to the deals you wanted all along.

Speakers:

  • Cherri Branson, Director, Montgomery County Office of Procurement
  • Erin Sher Smyth, City Purchasing Agent, Baltimore City
  • Nicholas Rice, Purchasing Agent, Wicomico County

Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2017; 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

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“What Is Emergency Management?”…and Other Mysteries Revealed

All disasters are local. When disaster strikes, county officials must provide leadership to save lives, mobilize a response, and ensure a quick recovery for their community. Emergency management is a year-round process, a constant loop of preparation, training, testing, and revision that strengthens the resiliency of all county government functions. It ensures the continuity of government in the face of an innumerable number of disasters. In this session, get insight into creating partnerships and programs that will stand up when your county is ‘under water’ ? and gain an understanding of the policy, fiscal, and tactical underpinnings of professional emergency management and disaster recovery.

Speakers:

  • Russell J. Strickland, Executive Director, Maryland Emergency Management Agency
  • Douglas Brown, Emergency Manager, Carroll County and President, Maryland Association of County Emergency Managers
  • Earl Stoddard, Director, Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
  • Moderator: Facilitator Chas Eby

Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2017; 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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Breaking the Mold: Foster Care Collaborations That Work!

Foster care programs operate in all Maryland counties to help provide short- and long-term care and support services to children who are unable to live at home, or who are without a home altogether. There are a range of reasons that children end up in foster care and each child presents a unique set of challenges, considerations, and capabilities. Counties work diligently to provide a safe and nurturing environment in the community for these children to help them transcend their circumstances and reach their full potential. In this session, learn how counties are launching innovative partnerships with public and private entities to ensure the best possible outcomes for children entering, living in, or aging out of the foster care system.

Speakers:

  • Deborah S. Harburger, MSW, Clinical Instructor & Co-Director, Maryland Center Lead Consultant, TA Network, The Institute for Innovation & Implementation, University of Maryland School of Social Work
  • Dina Daly-Director, Caroline County DSS
  • Linda Webb, Director, Talbot County DSS
  • Shalita O’Neal, Founder & CEO, Fostering Change Network; Foster Youth Ombudsman for the Department of Human Services

Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2017; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

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No Jail is an Island

At any given point in time county jails collectively house nearly 10,000 inmates in addition to overseeing hundreds of support staff – some manage more people than a small municipality! These jails are charged with helping to protect the safety of the community and rehabilitating those behind the walls who will eventually be returned to the community. They provide an extensive list of services, everything from housing, meals, and health care services, to workforce development services, education, and life skills programs. Smooth operation is key and services need to be cohesive and connected. For the best results, jails partner with a range of public and private entities as well as each other. In this session, learn more about the importance of key partnerships that help keep your jails running safely, efficiently, and effectively.

Speakers:

  • George Kaloroumakis, Director, Wicomico County Department of Corrections
  • Guy Merritt, Chief, Community Corrections Division, Prince George’s County Department of Corrections
  • Russell Wright, Ordinance Road Correctional Center Transition Education Liaison, Anne Arundel Community College Education Coordinator (Corrections)

Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2017; 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

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Learn more about MACo’s 2017 Winter Conference: