Health department hiring, college outreach, high‑school focus groups and New Year’s Eve permit reminders reported to board

Mary Ellen Crace, prevention and outreach administrator for the St. Mary's County Health Department, told the Alcohol Beverage Board on Oct. 11, 2018 that interviews for a Community Alcohol Coalition coordinator were underway and would continue into the following week. Crace said the department expects to introduce the selected candidate at the next board meeting.

The health department has partnered with the College of Southern Maryland and St. Mary's College of Maryland to expand student awareness efforts about underage and binge drinking, Crace said. She added that the department plans to conduct focus groups in county high schools after findings from the youth risk behavior survey indicated students often obtain alcohol in private residences and neighborhoods. "We're also gonna be doing focus groups in the high schools," she said, and indicated the department will present formal data to the board as it becomes available.

David Denn, speaking for the St. Mary's County Licensed Beverage Association, asked about the deadline for New Year's Eve permit applications. Board administrator Tammy Hillbrand reminded licensees that New Year's Eve permit requests are due the Monday before the December board meeting and that both the board and the health department must approve the application. The transcript records the board meeting date as Dec. 13 and the permit due date as Monday, Dec. 10.

Crace also said the department is examining potential policy changes that could address youth access to alcohol; she said the health department would keep the board updated and present findings when ready.