COLLECTIVE IMPACT
MISSION
Improve the well-being of Caroline County residents by collectively engaging our efforts and services with a special emphasis on reducing poverty in our county.
VISION
Caroline County will be a community where residents have access to resources that support stability and growth.
ASPIRATION
Increase our collective and community capacity to dismantle barriers to household and family stability by building community leadership and community-driven solutions that ensure fair and just opportunity, not only to be safe and stable but to thrive and grow.
FRAMEWORK FOR SUCCESS
The Collective Impact framework allows us to achieve things for the community that wouldn't be possible if we weren't working together. The components of our Collective Impact framework include:
#1
BACKBONE ORGANIZATION
Caroline Human Services Council serves as the "backbone" for our Collective Impact team. CHSC coordinates communications, meetings, and record keeping on behalf of the team.
#2
COMMON AGENDA
Everyone on the Collective Impact team is working toward the same agreed-upon goals to solve local problems.
#3
COMMON DATA MEASUREMENT TOOLS
Everyone on the team is using the same data measurement tools to guide their decision making and measure results. This ensures consistency and accuracy across the board.
#4
MUTUALLY REINFORCING ACTIVITIES
Team members avoid duplicating services. Instead, they engage in services that support and enhance one another. This ensures that resources are used to their greatest impact.
#5
CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION
Team members commit to regular, consistent communication with one another. This helps break down silos and reinforces each of the other elements of this framework.
#6
EQUITY
The team considers equity in access to services in everything we do. This ensures our services serve ALL members of the community.
#7
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
High community engagement is critical to our work. It ensures that the community is aware of the services available to them. It also helps us learn about gaps in services that need to be filled.
LEADERSHIP
Our Team is made up of community members, families, neighbors, and representatives from organizations in our community including healthcare providers, schools, youth programs, faith leaders, business and industry, and county and town governments.
Caroline Human Services Council serves as our backbone organization. The following leaders steward our work:
Caroline County Health Department
Robin Cahall, Health Officer
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Caroline County Public Schools
Dr. Derek Simmons, Superintendent
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Caroline County Economic Development
Debbie Bowden, Director
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Caroline County Recreation & Parks
Jamie Beechey, Director
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Choptank Community Health System
Chrissy Bartz, Director of Community Based Programs
Caroline County Department of Social Services
Shari Blades, Director
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Caroline Department of Juvenile Services
Taneesha DeShields, Supervisor
Caroline Human Services Council
Susan Runnels, Director
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Community Leader
Wanda Molock
ACTION TEAMS
Action Teams focus on achieving specific, identified outcomes. These groups include engaged residents and organization representatives. They develop and implement action plans to achieve the identified outcomes, measure results, and support each other's efforts to affect community-level change.
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After School ProgramThe After School Program will provide a variety of high-quality, engaging activities and experiences using research-based strategies that are proven to reduce chronic absenteeism. Students will work on projects that build on work done on previous days and be invited to join clubs that meet on a regular basis, with the goal of presenting or performing at seasonal parent events. In these ways, regular attendance at the program, and therefore at school, will be encouraged and, in fact, driven. Continued access to services such as on-site wellness centers and behavioral health services will serve the whole child and their families.
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Teen CourtTeen Court is a "peer court" for first and in some cases 2 nd time misdemeanor and traffic offenders. The program is conducted by volunteer teens who are trained in courtroom protocol, judicial process and the responsibilities of the various court personnel. The teen volunteers, along with a judge and adult volunteer coaches, conduct court hearings for various misdemeanor criminal cases each month. The following offenses will be considered for Teen Court diversion: alcohol citations; disturbing school operations; destruction of property; bullying, misuse of telephone/electronic device; theft; 2 nd degree assault; 4th degree burglary; drug paraphernalia; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; auto tampering; tobacco citations; disorderly conduct; loitering; trespassing; CDS possession – citation and marijuana only; possession of a deadly weapon (misdemeanor only) Respondents receive sanctions from a jury of their peers that must be completed within a certain time period. In FY21 Chronic Absenteeism was added as an offense by the local school system, these referrals are tried separately from the criminal referrals.
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Transportation Resources ProgramThe Transportation Resources Program will identify participants for eligibility in the program on an income based eligibility form. Services that may be provided by the Transportation Resource Program will include but are not limited to; Driver’s Education, car repairs (broken windshields, new tires, minor engine repairs, etc.), tax/tags/title work, insurance lapses 2 months or less, gas voucher, taxi/uber/shared ride vouchers. Other transportation resources may be identified and approved by the Caroline Human Services Council.
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Summer Career Enrichment ProgramThe Summer Career Enrichment Program (SCEP) represents a unique public, private partnership with nonprofit, education, business, and community partners. The program was designed to target middle school students and students of color in the rural part of the state of Maryland while exposing them to career options that are high-wage and in high demand. Although the LMB is not funding the after school program itself, the Board chose to fund the non-billable hours. For the summer of 2024, we will enroll and serve 300 students representing the following counties: Dorchester, Talbot, and Caroline. Summer Career Enrichment Program's target population is rising 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. There will be a selection of 8 different tracks: Cyber Security, Media Arts, Chess, Immersion, Presentation/Video Design, Animation, App Development, Robotics, and Drone Technology. A core part of the program is having students to engage in hands-on activities where they learn skills in requirements gathering, working on teams, delivering presentations, strategy, project management, leadership development, and problem solving. The instructors will also incorporate strategies to teach students on how to become an entrepreneur and the requisite skills needed to start a business.
GET INVOLVED!
We welcome and want your voice!
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Shore Strategies LLC, led by Kat Stork Blaher, provides coordination and support of this Collective Impact initiative. Please feel free to contact Kat with your questions and feedback.
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