Longer Lives, New Challenges: How Increased Life Expectancy is Shaping the Future of Our Safety Net

Local Aging Departments in Maryland are experiencing shortfalls in the face of the rising needs of older residents living longer than before. In a Herald Mail article, Maryland's new Secretary of Aging, Carmel Roques, says federal, state, and county services for older Americans are not ready for the level of need that is coming. In an address to the Washington County Commission on Aging, Secretary Roques pointed out that half of the five-year-olds alive today…

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FREE NACo Webinars on Finance Compliance, Non-Tax Revenue, Child/Family Social Impacts and Strategic Planning

Every month the National Association of Counties (NACo) hosts webinars to provide county leaders and professionals with knowledge on best practices and hot topics in various areas. Join NACo for the following webinars in June: County Finance Transformation: Improve Efficiency, Productivity, and Compliance June 8th - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm REGISTRATION Overview - County government organizations face significant challenges, including budget constraints, changing regulations, and increasing demand for transparency and accountability.  These challenges can…

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MACo Welcomes Amanda Grosskrueger as Member Engagement Lead

Amanda Grosskrueger has joined the MACo team as Member Services and Events Coordinator, and will lead member engagement and affiliate-focused events efforts. Amanda joins MACo after serving as a middle school teacher focusing on history for more than a decade. During her time as an educator, Amanda honed her skills in leadership, collaboration, information-sharing, and event-planning through various successful projects and initiatives serving her school communities. In looking for a career shift, she applied with…

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Empowering Communities: Urban Trees Mini-Grant Program Promotes Green Spaces and Environmental Equity

The Urban Trees Program and the Chesapeake Bay Trust are happy to announce that the Urban Trees Mini-Grant Program is accepting applications! Many communities benefit from green spaces and trees to promote outdoor recreation, access to shaded areas, improved air quality, mental and physical health, and livability. Ultimately, this initiative will empower communities that have felt disenfranchised to take ownership with the tools needed to improve access to natural resources that connect their neighborhoods to…

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New Strategies for an Old Problem: Tackling Absenteeism in K-12

A new report from FutureEd and Attendance Works offers 86 pages of suggestions to tackle the post-pandemic absenteeism crisis in the nation’s schools The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed how America and American families approach K-12 education. Across the country, families grappled with closed schools and virtual learning, working from home, and managing family life amid a public health emergency. The combined stressors resulted in many families reevaluating their perspective on schooling, with more significant numbers ultimately…

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Celebrating Bike to Work Week: Maryland Counties Unite for Cycling and Community Building

Bike to Work Week is an event celebrated across the United States each May to encourage bicycling and promote public awareness of bicycling and bike safety. This year representatives from several Maryland counties joined hands to bike their respective routes to work. Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) worked with local partners around the region to organize 2023 Bike to Work Week (May 15-19) programs promoting the benefits of biking, raising bike safety awareness, and building a…

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Baltimore Co is Working to Make Community College Free for Residents

Baltimore County is pursuing free community college education for its residents, in an effort to meet the changing workforce landscape It's no surprise that Maryland's community colleges rank second in the nation, mainly for their affordability and accessibility and growing role in preparing a qualified, diverse workforce. Now, Baltimore County is deepening its commitment to provide free community college and help fill labor and skills gaps in the County and State's economy -- a growing trend around Maryland. Baltimore County Executive…

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Dawn L. Marcus Appointed as Clerk for Washington County

Dawn L. Marcus assumes role as new County Clerk for Washington County; she's worked with the County since 2022 On May 24, 2023, Washington County Government and the Board of County Commissioners announced the appointment of Dawn L. Marcus as the new County Clerk for Washington County, effective immediately. Marcus started her career with Washington County Government as the Legal Secretary to the County Attorney's Office in February 2022. Marcus is deeply familiar with the workings…

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MD Comptroller Announces Local Government Advisory Council to Help Guide Agency

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman today announced that she will convene 11 new Advisory Councils and Work Groups to provide opportunities for members of the public to help advise the agency on its strategic direction. An application process has been opened for those who want to serve in these groups. "A key recommendation of our Transition Report was to strengthen the links between the Comptroller and community by creating work groups to hear from residents, make…

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Fun Fact: Now in Anne Arundel County, This Military School Resided in Rhode Island During the Civil War

While it is currently located in Anne Arundel County, in the heart of Annapolis, the U.S. Naval Academy wasn’t always in Maryland. The school was founded in 1845 but then restructured as the Naval Academy in 1850. However it wouldn't remain in Maryland for all of these years, and had a brief time in Rhode Island. "During the American Civil War the academy was moved to Newport, R.I." The reason for the move, was that Maryland was…

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