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HomeMy WebLinkAbout26.01.16 - Minutes, Local Management BoardOFFICE OF GRANT MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF BUDGET & FINANCE Washington County Office of Grant Management 100 W. Washington Street, Room 1601 Hagerstown, MD 21740 Local Management Board Meeting Virtual Meeting Minutes January 16, 2026 Members present via zoom: Delegate Matthew Schindler, Tiffany Rexrode — Vice Chair, Kelli Tencer, Stacey Ferrare, Sarah Nadeau, Susan Buchanan, and Gerry McCarney Alternates present via zoom: Jeremy Jakoby — Chair, Danielle Staley, Brooke Kerbs, Jared Blakeslee, Linda Yale, Damien Myers, Kwema Ledbetter and Colonel Pete Lazich, Sheriffs Office Staff present via zoom, Maria Kramer — Director, Carsten Ahrens — Sr. Grant Manager, Richard Lesh — Grant Manager, and Julie Mackereth. I. Opening — Welcome • Jeremy Jakoby - Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. and welcomed everyone. II. Approval of Minutes — November 21, 2025 A motion was made by Kelli Tencer, seconded by Susan Buchanan to approve the November 21, 2025, Local Management Board minutes as written. motion approved. III. Staff Report — Richard Lesh, Grant Manager GOC Director's Meetin update: The Maryland Association of LMB's meeting was held on January 6. During the meeting, there were two presentations on initiatives from the Maryland Association of LMB's. The initiatives included an update on the Community Schools Delivery Pilot and an overview of the Young Men and Boys Initiative. Jeremy Jakoby, Chair, shared that more than 50% of schools in Washington County are Community Schools. The initiative began in 2021 with five schools and has since grown to 24 Community Schools. 100 West Washington Street, Suite 1601 1 Hagerstown, MD 21740-4885 1 P: 240.313.2040 WWW.WASHCO-MD.NET • The Governor's Office - Children's Cabinet three-year strategic plan (included in the email packet) was received by staff during the first week of December. The plan reiterates the ENOUGH initiative and pillars which focus on providing high -quality childcare and education, nurturing healthy and economically secure families, and creating safe and thriving communities. Over the next three years, Children's Cabinet agencies will aim to launch new programs and initiatives that help communities promote safety, build resilience, and thrive. These efforts include facilitating reentry support for justice -involved youth; directing resources to small businesses and community development, particularly in low- and moderate - income neighborhoods with unmet demand for essential services; and promoting homeownership while protecting existing homeowners whose homes are at risk of foreclosure. • The CCIF and LMB Implementation Plan (included in the email packet) was received by staff on the first of December. The document clarifies LMB expectations, strengthens accountability, and proposes stratified, tailored technical assistance to help LMB's better serve their communities, improve coordination and function as a cohesive statewide network. The purpose is for the Governor's office to interact with and provide enhanced support for the LMB's. Staff submitted LMB self -assessment on January 6th . • FY27 CCIF funding: Staff were informed that information should be received by the end of January. IV. Finance Report — Richard Lesh, Grant Manager • FY26 Expenditure Report: As reflected in the expenditure report included in the email packet, vendors have been slightly delayed in submitting their December invoices to staff. In the first part of February, staff will be submitting the mid -year report to the GOC. Staff will be submitting budget modifications for the Family Center Services Program and the Out -of -School. Out of School Time Update: Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager, Carsten has met with Bola from MBA Growth Partners. There have also been discussions between Bola and the Robert W. Johnson Community Center about the possibility of running a program at the center. Carsten shared with Bola the census tracts currently being served as well as the target census areas. Potential locations and transportation options for the program are being explored. V. Local Care Team Report (LCT): KTA Advising Group, Kwema Ledbetter Compyle is the system mandated by the Governor's Office for all Local Care Teams (LCTs) to enter their data. For the current fiscal year, Washington County LCT has entered all required data. There are nine participants (families), and the team is actively working to transition fully from PDF forms to direct data entry in Compyle. Two active cases are currently ongoing, and staff met with these families in December. Washington County collaborates with approximately 40 LCT partners and maintains regular interaction with them. In the coming week, staff will send an email to these partners providing an overview of the LCT, followed by outreach calls to potentially schedule presentations at partner locations. Kwema noted that the Governor's Office will be pulling data from Compyle on February 19. VI. Sub -Committee Report • Community Planning & Review (CPAR): Damien Myers, Sub -Committee Chair January 14th CPAR Meeting: • Discussed capacity building grant; funding received, spending deadline September 30, there is a NOFA forthcoming. • Out -of -School Time Program may rent space at Robert W. Johnson Community Center. • Bylaws discussed; suggestions / revisions due to OGM staff before February 11 cn meeting. • Strategic planning ongoing for Washington County, reviewing successful practices from other counties. VII. Old Business — Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager ENOUGH Capacity Building Grant Update: ➢ First draft of the NOFA is underway, focusing on transportation and healthcare. Submissions are capped at $40,000, with the goal of awarding two to four proposals at $25,000—$40,000 each, based on what best benefits the county. ➢ Funding amount: $74,581, with spending required by September 30. • Out of School Time Program Update: Previously discussed under the Finance Report. Richard Lesh — Grant Manager, By-laws review: Review of by-law changes is ongoing. Washington County Legal department is reviewing both the bylaws and applicability of the Open Meetings Act, given that the LMB operates as an extension of the Governor's Office. LMB's unique structure, managing state funding locally, has prompted further legal research. Preliminary indication: LMB may still be subject to the Open Meetings Act, but final determination is pending. Once legal guidance is received, bylaw revisions will be shared for approval. VIII. New Business LMB Strategic Plan - Richard Lesh, Grant Manager Funds have been budgeted for a consultant to develop a strategic plan. The strategic plan will be combined with the Governor's Office requirement for a regularly updated community plan. Past community plans were updated annually. Community Plan: An updated community plan is required annually as part of the funding application. The Governor's Office has emphasized the need for an updated plan. The community plan must align with the Governor's Office, three-year strategic plan. Financial Disclosure Statements: Included in email packet, please fill them out and return them to staff. IX. Roundtable - Members present shared their updates. Brooke Krebs (WCMH), Kelli Tencer (United Way), and Susan Buchanan (Community Foundation) shared information and web links in the chat for members interested in county resources. X. Adjournment A motion was made by Gerry McCarney; seconded by Linda Yale for adjournment at 9:44 a.m.. Next Meeting — March 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Submitted by: _ Date: *'ckere ckereth,.Sefl0r Office Associate Reviewed by: Date: Maria Kramer, Director Grant Management Approved by: Date: 29