Local Management Boards (LMBs) are little known county-supported agencies that perform a variety of important services for communities. Learn more about them here.
This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives.
The ABCs of LMBs
Established in the 1990s, Local Management Boards (LMBs) are quasi-authorities of local government. LMBs empower local authorities to plan, implement, and monitor service programs for organizations that serve youth and families. Active in each jurisdiction, the boards collaborate with local stakeholders and agencies to support many aspects of child and family services, including reducing the impact of incarceration on communities, reducing youth homelessness and child hunger, and preventing out-of-state residential placements.
Historically, LMBs were housed under the Governor’s Office of Children (GOC), which was established in 1988. The GOC replaced the Children’s Cabinet, established in 1978 via a gubernatorial Executive Order creating an office on children’s issues. LMBs were officially established in 1992. However, in 2018, LMBs moved under the Governor’s Office for Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services and are now a small Division of Youth and Family Services.
Each county has an LMB, but models vary. In some counties, LMBs are functions of local government, in others, the LMB responsibilities are contracted out to local nonprofits, while others operate a hybrid of the two.
LMBs serve many functions in their local communities, but a state website highlights some of their major impacts to-date, including:
- Led the way in returning and diverting children from out-of-state residential placements;
- Administered funding for interagency services provided to children at-risk of out-of-home placements;
- Increased collaboration between local stakeholders and agencies serving children and families; and
- Served as the coordinating and administering agency for programs that serve the community including School-Based Health Centers, C-Safe, Youth Strategies Initiative, Maryland Afterschool Opportunity Fund, Home Visiting/Healthy Families, etc.
Counties and LMBs
Counties support LMBs financially and operationally, whether the LMB is a county agencies or is a contracted function of county government. As such, MACo works closely with the LMB Association, especially its Legislative Committee, and on the greater behalf of LMBs and their critical mission.
MACo worked during the 2022 legislative session to help secure increased funding for local management boards. The State increased funding for the awards this year by $4.5 million, including $1.5 million for local care team coordinators who ensure that youth with intensive needs receive the appropriate services.
MACo looks forward to working with LMBs and supporting their policy agenda in the upcoming 2023 legislative session.
Connect with your local LMB
Learn more about LMBs at MACo’s Winter Conference
At the MACo Winter Conference session, “The ABCs of LMBs: Investing in Your State-County Partnership,” we will hear from multiple Local Management Board (LMB) and county leaders on how county governments can best work with them to provide critical services for the communities they work in.
MACo’s Winter Conference, “Hit the Ground Running,” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD from January 4-6, 2023 (with a pre-conference orientation for new county officials on January 3).
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
