Social Service Programs’ Future Hinges on Governor’s Budget

ANNAPOLIS – Social service advocates and lawmakers interested in welfare issues will likely focus on child welfare accountability and the hiring of enough child welfare caseworkers when the General Assembly convenes in January

Declining Teen Suicide Rate Belies Continuing Problem

ANNAPOLIS –

Ashley Willitts was only 16 when she killed herself in January 2002

Growing Out of Foster Care Is as Difficult as Growing Up in It

ANNAPOLIS – Eric Anderson, 23, of Baltimore, was 11 when he was taken from school to a psychiatric ward in the back of a police car

Soup Kitchen Provides Food Therapy for Clients — and Cook

SILVER SPRING – Thierry Musel watches quietly from the kitchen doorway of Shepherd’s Table, a Silver Spring soup kitchen, as a line of men and women eager for a plate of food begins to assemble

Salvation Army Starts Ringing in Donations

BALTIMORE – The Salvation Army of Greater Baltimore hopes to raise $1 million in kettle drive donations this holiday season, despite Target stores’ ban on bell ringers nationwide

Old Cell Phones Offer New Hope to Victims of Domestic Violence

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland residents, businesses and non-profits can help victims of domestic violence by donating old cell phones to HopeLine, a Verizon Wireless program that refurbishes, recycles and sells used cellular phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups nationwide

State to Consolidate Weatherization Programs for Low-Income Residents

ANNAPOLIS – The Department of Housing and Community Development will take sole responsibility for the state’s weatherization program next year, pending approval by the Maryland General Assembly, the department told lawmakers Wednesday

HUD Information System Endangers Battered Women, Advocates Say

ANNAPOLIS – Domestic violence advocacy groups are objecting to new federal rules they say threaten the safety and lives of battered women

Lawmakers Call Welfare Dept. on Carpet for Missed Deadline

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Department of Human Resources came under Senate scrutiny Tuesday after missing an Oct

Marylanders ‘Thrive’ On Bonuses for Name Ideas

BALTIMORE – Three Maryland Food Stamp Program clients won $500 bonuses Wednesday for their ideas to change the name of the program