WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
Department of Social Services – Department 94010
Contact: Tiffany Rexrode
The Department of Social Services is a branch of the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). The DHS mission is to aggressively pursue opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide preventions services, and protect vulnerable children and adults.
Department Description/Function
The Washington County Health Department of Social Services is part of the State of Maryland, Maryland Department of Human Services and serves as an agency of Washington County Government. Our vision for Maryland is where people independently support themselves and their families and where individuals are safe from abuse and neglect. To this end, the Department is responsible for a continuum of human service programs to all in need. These programs are funded primarily by the Federal and State governments. The County allocates funds for programs to meet specific local needs not met by other governmental sources.
Goals Fiscal Year 2026
95% of the aged or disabled adults receiving Adult Foster Care/community-based services be maintained in the least restrictive environment and prevent unnecessary long term care placement. The Family School Partnership (FSP) program will bridge the gap in student support services by serving at least 85 families of elementary school-aged children who exhibit complex needs to resolve challenges related to school attendance, classroom behavior, and academic performance. FSP aims to provide overall support for those families by linking them to local community resources and building relationships between school staff and caregivers. 60 parents and 60 children will be supported by programs offered at the Family Center. DADS Connection will service 80 fathers with a goal of 22 maintaining gainful employment for 90 days. Employed fathers’ average wage will exceed $18.75 per hour. Program participants will attend weekly support groups for life and living skills and quarterly parent-child activities with a group educational component. The Safe Place Child Advocacy Center will provide child maltreatment prevention programming to children in at least three public schools, at least one after school program or summer camp, and at least two youth-serving organizations in Washington County. Safe Place will also provide five trainings to community partners on the topic of Human Trafficking.
Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2025
The Adult Foster Care local funds supported 44 disabled adults to remain in the least restrictive community-based setting. The funds covered the cost of adult daycare for three customers to maintain their current placement, covered the monthly cost of three customers to remain in assisted living, and covered the cost of administrative representative payee fees for 16 customers who are in foster care or assisted living placement. The Family Center successfully partnered with Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) to integrate a Birth-K program on-site. Nine adult caregivers received formal parent training, and 15 children participated in these services. These numbers reflect only families who were not already involved in a Family Center program (some participated in both).
2026 Budget Document
142
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