Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces Emergency Funding to Support Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center Following Loss of Federal C...
This contract accounts for $5.7 million of Grassroots’ annual program revenue. In addition to the employment impacts on the 62 staff of the National Back-Up Center, the loss of this funding has resulted in an immediate budget gap for the organization, causing Grassroots not to have enough funding currently to cover its expenses. This includes covering its rent for its Crisis Center, where Grassroots operates its 24-hour hotline and provides free, 24-hour walk-in crisis services, substance use program, Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Mobile Crisis Team, intake for homeless services, and 24-hour food and hygiene pantry.
As a result, Grassroots will be forced to lay off its National Back-Up Center employees effective Tuesday, September 29th. Grassroots will use the emergency funds provided by the County to stabilize the organization and ensure that the Crisis Center remains open while Grassroots develops a long-term sustainability plan.
While this loss of federal funding will mean that Grassroots will no longer serve as a National Back-Up Center of 988 Lifeline, Grassroots will continue to serve as a 988 Lifeline local crisis center for residents of Howard County and Central Maryland. There will not be an impact to crisis services for Howard County residents and community members who call 988 when they experience a crisis. Grassroots will continue to operate their local 988 response and crisis services.
In Fiscal Year 2027, the County provided $1,890,792 in Community Service Partnership Program grant funding to Grassroots to support its services and core operations, representing a five percent increase from the previous fiscal year.
Affected Employee Assistance
During his press conference, Ball announced steps Grassroots and the County’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) are taking to assistance affected employees. Internally, Grassroots will work with affected employees who wish to apply for open positions within the organization, such as its 988 local crisis center operations.
In turn, OWD will coordinate with the Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Health Connection, and Grassroots to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Rapid Response services and additional local workforce support, including job assistance and career counseling services, to affected employees. This includes coordinating employee information sessions, on-site or virtually, to help affected workers understand their options and connect to services before and after separation. These sessions will include information about:
- Unemployment Insurance – Maryland Department of Labor information on filing, eligibility, and the claims process;
- Health Coverage – Maryland Health Connection information about coverage options that may be available following loss of employer-sponsored insurance, including enrollment assistance;
- Workforce Services – OWD information on career counseling, job-search assistance, resumes, interviewing, job matching, labor-market information, training, and supportive services;
- WIOA Dislocated Worker Services – Screening for eligibility and connection to individualized career and training services for eligible workers; and
- Employment Opportunities – Information about current job openings and employers seeking workers with relevant skills and experience. OWD will provide a direct point of contact for employees who want to move from the group session into individualized services.
"No one should have to navigate unemployment insurance, health coverage, and a job search all at once and on their own," said Stephanie Adibe, Administrator, OWD. "We are bringing the Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Health Connection, and our own career services together in one place, and every employee will have a direct point of contact who can support them with individualized help. We will ensure that all affected employees have access to career counseling, job matching, training, and supportive services during this difficult time."
About Grassroots
A private, non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization serving Howard County and Central Maryland, Grassroots was founded in 1969. In its nearly six decades, Grassroots has evolved from an all-volunteer organization to a professionally staffed multi-service crisis intervention center. The organization is funded by the County, State and Federal Grants, private foundations, and contributions from individuals, community groups, the faith community, and local businesses.
Grassroots provides free 24-hour crisis intervention, mental health, substance use disorder, housing support, and suicide prevention services. This includes a free crisis hotline, responses to 988 calls/chats/texts (Maryland and nationally), a free 24-hour substance use disorder stabilization program, a family and individual emergency shelter, and Howard County’s Mobile Crisis Response.
Last fiscal year, 1,546 individuals walked into Grassroots’ crisis center. Since moving to its new location at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A in Columbia, Grassroots has seen a significant increase in the demand for its services, especially from those in mental health and homelessness crises. In addition, 50 percent of individuals who walk into its center are also experiencing food insecurity and receive items from the food pantry.
To learn more about Grassroots and how you can support this organization, visit https://grassrootscrisis.org/.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
