100 W. Washington Street, Suite 1401 
Hagerstown, MD 21740 | 240.313.2380
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Lauren Pogue, Marketing Specialist
P: 240.313.2382

WASHINGTON COUNTY SEEKS TO RECONNECT DISENGAGED YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18-24 TO EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Study is seeking participants in public survey
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (November 9, 2017) - With more than one in six Washington County young adults ages 16-24 disconnected from work and school-the fourth highest rate in the state, exceeding both state and national averages. The Washington County Local Management Board through the Office of Grants Management is currently conducting a study to assist these residents.
 
Working with a national consulting firm specializing in community-based research and planning, Thomas P. Miller & Associates, LMB hopes to identify specific circumstances that disconnected young adults often face that prevent them from actively engaging in employment and educational opportunities. The Washington County Disconnected Young Adult Survey is now open and available online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/WashCoYA .
 
The survey includes targeted questions about barriers to youth/young adult employment and education, sources of income, where they seek and/or receive services and demographic information. Both disconnected young adults and their friends or family members are eligible to respond to the survey and will be entered to win a gift card for their participation. The survey closes on November 30, 2017.
 
"The Washington County Local Management Board is excited to obtain local data so we can design strategies that will meet the unique needs of our disconnected young adults and ultimately provide them with the tools to become self-sufficient and economically stable."- LMB Chair Deena Holder
 
Survey findings will be incorporated into a comprehensive study examining:
  • Reasons young adults become and remain disconnected
  • Obstacles keeping disconnected young adults from attending school or becoming employed
  • Services that may help alleviate barriers connecting to education or employment opportunities
 
For more information, contact Public Relations Marketing Specialist Lauren Pogue at 240-313-2382.

  Disconnection in Maryland by Jurisdiction. Retrieved from: http://goc.maryland.gov

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About Washington County Local Management Board
The Washington County Local Management Board serves as the neutral convener of all child-serving agencies and is the natural and trusted place to house statewide projects. The LMB promotes an interagency, collaborative approach to serving children that involves all stakeholders, parents, and families in the process. This collaborative effort ensures a more effective system of care for youth and families across a continuum of services from prevention to intervention to aftercare. More information can be found at www.washco-md.net.

About Washington County, Maryland Government
Washington County, Maryland Government strives to fulfill its duty to the citizens of Washington County with regard to operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and responsiveness to the needs of the community. This vision is used to ably assist the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County in achieving goals for moving the County forward as present needs and future plans are addressed.
 
According to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, the Washington County General Fund has one of the lowest costs per capita for services provided of all 23 counties and Baltimore City. This is attributed to the efficiency, staffing levels, and cost containment exhibited in Washington County Government operations. Visit www.washco-md.net for more information.
 
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