April 30, 2020

Media Contact: 

Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412

 

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County is compiling mental health resources and support for residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has been keen on raising awareness and providing more mental health services to youth, launching the “It’s OK to Ask” campaign in 2019.

“This is a difficult time for many in our community, and it is particularly trying on our mental health,” said Ball. “Although we may be physically distant, we are still here to help one another, our departments and partners are working to connect residents with the resources they need. Please be sure to check-in on one another frequently and offer support where you can.”

Grassroots is hosting virtual QPR (Questions, Persuade and Refer) Trainings — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Register at www.grassrootscrisis.org/events/

 

Resources for Crisis

 

Building Youth Resiliency is a rapid-access mental health program that connects families who have commercial insurances or who are uninsured to outpatient psychiatric services and resources. This program includes Targeted Case Management services also known as Care Coordination. Care Coordination works to empower families to achieve their vision through a collaborative, strength-based, and family centered process. Services are offered within the home to best accommodate the family.

The program also includes access to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) services which are an essential piece to community-based treatment for individuals with behavioral health challenges. PRP focuses on skill development and how to access resources that clients need to increase their ability to be successful and healthy. The Building Youth Resiliency programs are facilitated through Center for Children and Therapeutic Connections and serve children and youth ages 3 to 24.

Referrals for Care Coordination with Center for Children can be sent to Tasha Walls, LMSW at wall@center-for-children.org or by phone at (240)-320-2023. Referrals for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) with Therapeutic Connections can be sent to Michael Allen, MSW at allconnectionstherapeutic@gmail.com or by phone at (410)-961-8423, or online at therapeautic-connections.net.

 

The Howard County Local Care Team (LCT) is an inter-agency council designed to provide resources and support to families who need to access services for a child with intensive emotional and behavioral needs. The primary goal of the LCT and its family focused partners is to help families receive the support and services they need to ensure their children remain in the homes and communities. Families can self- refer to the Local Care Team by contacting the LCT Coordinator, Candace Ball at cmball@howardcountymd.gov or by calling (410)-313-6552

 

Howard County Farmers Markets announced opening dates and logistical changes to allow safe operation. Many of the markets will be drive-thru only, with some offering booth pick-up. Additionally, vendors booths will be required to be stationed 12 ft apart and buyers are urged to wear a face mask or covering and to maintain 6 ft a part while waiting in line to retrieve their order. Please remember to wear a face covering or mask. At this time only vendors selling produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, food and drink will be allowed to sell at the farmers’ market. For more information click here.

Howard County Library-Miller Branch 
9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 
May 6 – November 4 | Wednesdays | 2:00 – 6:00 PM 
Drive Thru Only

Howard County Library-East Columbia Branch 
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 
May 14 – November 4 |Thursdays | 12:00 – 6:00 PM 
Drive Thru Only

Clarksville Commons 
12264-12276 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville 
May 9 – November 7 | Saturdays | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 
Drive Thru Only

Maple Lawn Farmers Market 
7405 Maple Lawn Blvd., Fulton 
May 16 – November 7 | Saturdays | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
Drive Thru & Booth Pick Up

Oakland Mills Village Center 
5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia 
May 10 – November 8 | Sundays | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
Booth Pick Up Only

 

Utilities Update

As of April 29, 2020, Governor Hogan reissued the Executive Order that now extends the prohibition of utility turn-offs and late fees through June 1, 2020. You can view the updated Executive Order here.

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