The doctors are in!

Join Howard County Health Professionals and me for a town hall to discuss the pressing health and wellness topics important to our community on Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00 p.m. Topics include COVID-19, behavioral & mental health, and innovations in healthcare.

Register on WebEx here OR watch the Town Hall live on the "Howard County Executive Calvin Ball" Facebook page. Residents can submit questions in advance to TownHall@HowardCountyMD.Gov

Governor Hogan announced a statewide mask order, now in effect for Maryland.

Residents are now required to wear masks or face coverings:

Masks and face coverings are critical to keeping our businesses open and allowing our economy to recover. As we have seen in many other states around this country, not adhering to hand washing, physical distancing, and mask-wearing directly leads to spikes in cases and strains on healthcare systems.

Many of our residents have already made mask-wearing a best practice, let's continue to protect each other and keep our community safe from COVID-19

Governor Hogan's Executive Order from June 10th addressed many of the large gathering questions residents may have. To read his complete Executive Order, please click here. To read interpretative guidance on social gatherings, please click here.

While Howard County has been able to keep our COVID-19 case numbers steady, I encourage residents to continue practicing preventative measures - mask-wearing, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing - whenever you are out.

Throughout this pandemic, our community has come together in creative ways to help one another. DreamBuilders, an interfaith non-profit, usually builds and repairs homes after natural disasters, but COVID-19 has changed how they give back. Some of our students don’t have dedicated workspaces in their homes where they can study and learn virtually without distractions.

Dreambuilders has responded by building small, foldable desks that allow students to open up the desk, work in an area and then close it up and store.

Over the weekend, 50 volunteers made 120 desks for Howard County students and they will continue to build desks to meet the demand for these innovative workspaces. Thank you to the leadership team and all the volunteers who help serve our students in need across the County.

To learn more about DreamBuilders and how can get involved, please click here

No one should have to choose between paying rent or purchasing food for themselves or their family, and COVID-19 has forced many of our residents into unimaginable financial situations. Since the beginning of this pandemic, more than 44,000 Howard County residents have filed for unemployment or pandemic assistance, it’s clear access to food and groceries is one of the most urgent needs our residents are facing.

We’ve seen our community organizations, non-profits, and neighbors step-up to support one another, and we saw an opportunity to make it easier for folks to find what they need. This map clearly shows the daily options for groceries, food pantries, and meal pickups, and will hopefully reduce the stress for many people trying to figure out where to find the resources they need.

Visit the map today here.

Many things make this summer of 2020 unique, including the absence of the Howard County Fair on what would have been its 75th Anniversary. I will miss the week-long celebration while we continue our efforts to keep our community safe from COVID-19.

Even though it is closed to the public, I wish those participants and families the best of luck during their Youth Livestock Show and Virtual 4-H Indoor Show starting today. While it is not quite the same, our community is very proud of you.

To learn more and support these youth livestock programs register here.

From our financial literacy events to our local business workshops, Howard County Government is committed to providing economic resources directly to our community. I invite all residents to join the Howard County Office of Workforce Development and me for an Apprenticeship Virtual Information Session on Thursday, August 13th.

At this event, attendees will hear about various opportunities available at IEC Chesapeake (electrical apprenticeship program provider), HACC (Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors apprenticeship provider), Howard Community College, and BoMark Electric. This event is also open to our youth who are interested.

Apprenticeships are an excellent way to be employed and trained simultaneously. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about apprenticeships, how they work, and explore employment and training options in Maryland with top companies.

Register today here.

There has been an increase in reports of online extortion scams during the COVID-19 crisis. As many residents are staying at home and are online more than usual, scammers may use this opportunity to find new victims and pressure them into sending money.

Scammers are frequently looking for ways to obtain personal information. Remember to never share any personal information on an unknown site or with an unknown person. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (410) 313-6420

With more than 23,000 renters in Howard County, we know that today many people may be facing missed rent. It’s critical that tenants are aware of their rights.

Under the current Executive Order issued by Governor Hogan, a court cannot order the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was a result of COVID-19. This includes if you lost your job, you’re caring for a school-aged child or you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19.

It’s important to keep any and all documentation you have that proves a failure to pay rent was COVID-19 related.

As of today, the moratorium on utility services ends on September 1st, 2020.

Governor Hogan extended his order prohibiting electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service, or charging any residential late fees. This order will help protect the health and safety of utility employees and our residents during this catastrophic health emergency.

Residents are now able to provide feedback on the current draft Ellicott City Master Plan through August 22nd, 2020. The plan represents the culmination of a multi-year public outreach process that began in response to the 2016 flooding and builds upon my Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan.

To learn how you can become involved and offer your thoughts on the draft plan during the comment period, visit https://hocodpz.konveio.com/ecmp.

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of women's suffrage, and although significant progress has been made in ensuring women's voices are heard, there is still work to do. If you are interested in promoting the economic, social and political equality of women and playing an active role in blazing new trails for women in Howard County, I encourage you to apply today for Howard County’s Commission for Women. The Commission is currently looking to fill three vacant positions – two general members and one student member. For eligibility requirements and details on how to apply, click HERE. Deadline to apply is Friday, August 28. 

Recently, the Local Children's Health Board and I released our five-year Howard County Community Plan for Children, Youth and Families for fiscal years 2021 to 2025. This plan provides a framework for partnerships between public and private organizations and focuses on strengthening access to high quality education, healthcare and wellness, with an emphasis on equity within support systems and outcomes. This plan is especially important during challenging times, like the COVID-19, when we must ensure our most vulnerable are supported and that no one is left behind in our recovery. For more information about this report and/or to request a copy, please contact Kimberly Eisenreich at 410-313-6400 (voice/relay). 

If you are interest in helping us improve consumer protection-related services and protecting your fellow community members, I encourage you to apply today for the County’s Consumer Protection Advisory Board. For details on how to apply and eligibility requirements, click HERE. The deadline to apply is September 4, 2020. 

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, please contact our Department of Community Resources and Services' (DCRS) Office of Consumer Protection right away at 410-313-6420 or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

From social engagement to exercise, cooking and lifelong learning classes, DCRS' Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) is working hard to ensure our older residents have the resources they need to remain active and engaged while at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This month, OAI’s is offering something virtually every day (click HERE for OAI's August schedule) to help you learn, get moving, get cooking and get social. We hope you will take advantage of one or more of these great programs as we continue down the path of this COVID-19 pandemic. For questions and/or more information, please feel free to contact OAI at aging@howardcountymd.gov.

This August, August 19th or August 25th to be exact, HCDFRS will be hosting its Hands-Only CPR class virtually. According to the American Heart Association, about 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. Which means, if you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love. Learn how you can be the difference between life and death by signing today for this virtual class.

Can’t participate in either one of these August classes? No worries, HCDFRS offers its Hands-Only CPR and Stop the Bleed classes all year long. For additional 2020 dates, click HERE. For questions about its Hands-Only CPR training class, contact HCDFRS at handsonlycpr@hcdfrs.org; for Stop the Bleed, email outreach@hcdfrs.org.

Several locations have been set up across our county where residents can easily get tested for COVID-19; however, if you are having trouble receiving a test, please contact the Howard County Health Department’s Coronavirus Information Line at 410-313-6284 for assistance.

This is a difficult time for many in our community, particularly for those who are struggling with isolation, extreme sadness, or a mental health condition. We are here to help one another in our community. Additionally, we have crisis services available to ensure all our residents are healthy and thriving.

It’s okay to ask for help so we can all get through this together.

If you are a Howard County resident in need of financial assistance to pay past due rent payments to prevent eviction, I encourage you to apply for housing ​payment relief aid from one of the county’s participating providers. To be eligible to apply, you must be a Howard County resident, be able to provide proof of home address and supply evidence of loss of income due to COVID-related job loss, reduction in hours and/or medical illness. The maximum assistance per household is three months of housing expense. To learn more and/or to apply, visit our Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) “COVID-19 Housing” Information website.

Set to kick-off August 22nd and run through September 22nd, sessions one and five will take place virtually, while sessions two, three and four will be offered both virtually and in-person (location to be announced). Physical distancing and face coverings will be required at all in-person sessions. To register for the first session for this FREE five-session workshop, visit https://humanitymattershoco.eventbrite.com today. Registration for the first session closes August 18^th. Partipants should commit to attending all five sessions.

For questions and/or more information about this workshop, contact OHR at 410-313-6430 or email OHRoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. 

DPZ’s Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a meeting this Wednesday, August 12 starting at 7:00 p.m. VIRTUALLY to hear the following item:

To register in advance to participate in this meeting, click HERE. If you only want to listen to the meeting, call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, enter 160 341 8019 # as the event access code.

The DAP process encourages excellence in project architecture and site design to improve design compatibility with surrounding development, to promote revitalization and to enhance property values. You can use DPZ’s DAP interactive map to see which properties may be subject to DAP review. For DAP’s Rules of Procedure, click HERE. For questions and/or more information about DAP, contact the DPZ at 410-313-2350 or email dap@howardcountymd.gov. 

As we continue to operate under the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting physical distancing protocols, moving forward and until further notice, our DPZ will be holding its public meetings virtually through WebEx videoconferencing. This will allow DPZ operations to continue and the public the ability to safely participate in these meetings. To assist the public in participating in its virtual Planning Board meetings – whether as an observer, petitioner or community member wishing to testify, DPZ has published the following guidance that offers details on how to register and provide testimony. Additionally, DPZ has developed the following technical guide to help users navigate the technical side of participation.

DPZ’s Planning Board meetings are also being livestreamed on YouTube; a livestream link to its YouTube channel can also be found on the Planning Board webpage. This is a good option for those who only want to watch the Planning Board meeting from their computer and not participate. 

Finally, DPZ is now offering two forms of technical assistance. If you have questions or need assistance with testing the WebEx application on your computer, contact DPZ at 410-313-4373 or email planningboard@howardcountymd.gov IN ADVANCE of the Planning Board meeting. DURING Planning Board meetings, if you are having difficulty accessing the meeting through WebEx, call 410-313-4324 or email planningboard@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.

This Tuesday, August 11, our Department of Public Works (DPW) will be hosting a public meeting starting at 7:00 p.m., to present plans for a stream stabilization project between 6733 and 6737 Pirch Way in Elkridge. This project will involve the grading of the streambanks and the positioning of riffle grade control and stone toe protection structures along the project area. The purpose of the project is to stabilize approximately 300 linear feet of the stream channel and banks of a tributary to Deep Run and to provide water quality improvements to areas downstream. This project is expected to begin in September 2020. To learn more about this meeting and how to participate, click HERE.

Laurel

To learn more about DPW Capital Projects currently underway, visit https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s website and search by “County” to learn more about State road projects in Howard County.

Check it out! While county residents should start finding or have already found a copy of our Department of Recreation & Parks’ (DRP) 2020 Fall Activity Guide in their mailbox, the Guide can also be viewed online now. This fall’s guide features both online and in-person programs (please note, some program information may be subject to change due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic), including fall/winter competitive sports. Online registration for Howard County residents begins Wednesday, August 5^th at 6:00 p.m., followed by registration for non-County residents a week (August 12^th, 6:00 p.m.) later.

When visiting a County Department of Recreation & Parks (DRP) park, playground and/or other amenity, please remember to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering when possible and avoiding large gatherings. For the latest information on what Recreatoin & Parks’ facilities, amentieis and programs are open, as well as additional Recreation & Parks announcements, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap or following the Department on Facebook or Twitter.