2025 Annual Report - Report - Page 46
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2025
QUALITY OF LIFE
SENIOR CENTER PLUS, MEALS ON
WHEELS
Charles Count y continues its strong commitment to
supporting its senior residents through programs that
promote independence, connection, and overall well-being. The Senior Center Plus Program is a key part of this
effort, providing an adult social day program with staff
support and supervision for older adults who may not
be able to at tend senior centers independently, but
do not yet require adult medical day care. Ser ving as
an important “in-between” option, the program helps
seniors remain active, social, and engaged in a safe and
supportive environment.
The Senior Center Plus program celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of successful service to
Charles Count y residents. Participants attend senior
centers alongside their peers and take part in a wide
range of activities, including arts and crafts, exercise,
social gatherings, and holiday celebrations. The program also of fers meals and daily structure, fostering
meaningful connections while reducing isolation and supporting healthy aging.
The County’s commitment extends beyond social engagement to ensuring seniors’ basic needs are met. Charles
Count y allocated $315,000 from previously awarded
Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funds to support programs such as Meals on Wheels. This
investment helps ensure vulnerable seniors who are unable
to shop or prepare meals for themselves continue to receive
nutritious food and vital support, reinforcing the County’s
ongoing efforts to help older adults remain healthy, independent, and connected within their communities.
LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD AND
RESOURCE CONNECTION
Recent economic disruptions, including the federal
government shutdown, highlighted how quickly financial stress can impact Charles County families. Missed
paychecks, rising costs, and uncertainty around food,
housing, and mental health services placed additional
pressure on residents who were already struggling. For
the more than 15,000 county residents who rely on
SNAP and many others living paycheck to paycheck,
timely access to local support is not optional — it is
essential to maintain stability.
The Charles County Local Management Board (LMB),
within the Department of Community Services, plays a
critical role in ensuring residents can access the human
services they need. Through data-driven community
assessments and strategic planning, the LMB identifies gaps in ser vices and invests grant funding in
programs that address both immediate challenges
and long-term well-being. By focusing on priorities
such as economic stabilit y, behavioral health, safe
communities, and child and family support, the Board
helps ensure services remain accessible to residents
regardless of income, insurance status, or background.
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One of the most impor tant
tools supporting residents is the
Charles County Resource Connection website, a centralized, one-stop platform that
links families to more than 100 local resources.
Developed in response to communit y feedback, the site
makes it easier for residents to find help with food assistance,
employment, mental and behavioral health services, education, and family support — especially during times of crisis.
The website also promotes communit y events and allows
service providers to continuously expand available resources.
Together with the Local Care Team, which connects families facing mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges to
coordinated support, these efforts ensure Charles County
residents are not navigating hardship alone. By improving
awareness, access, and coordination of ser vices, Charles
Count y is strengthening community resilience and helping
families move from crisis toward long-term stability.
Visit Online for details:
CharlesCountyResourceConnection.com
CharlesCountyMD.gov
