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Board approves $40,000 for Laurel Center emergency domestic-violence services
Summary
After hearing deputies and the shelter’s director describe rising calls and long therapy wait lists, the Board of Supervisors approved a $40,000 outside-agency allocation to the Laurel Center.
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted July 8 to add $40,000 to the county’s funding allocation for the Laurel Center, a nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, counseling and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Supervisor Dunn moved the out-of-cycle appropriation, and the board approved the motion by roll call. Six supervisors voted in favor; the chair recorded a no vote. The board’s action supplements an earlier outside-agency allocation of $12,600 and raises the county’s total contribution for fiscal year 2025 to $52,600 for the Laurel Center, according to presenters.
Supervisor Dunn described repeated referrals from law enforcement and social-services staff and cited rising demand: Laurel Center had 116 calls for service in the first six months of one year and 132 during the same period the following year, according to the presentation. Deputy Werner told the board that deputies refer victims to the Laurel Center and that the center “provides a safe place for victims and families to go in an emergency situation and then they provide counseling.”
Faith Powers, executive director of the Laurel Center, outlined priorities if the county provided additional funds. She said therapy services were the top need; the center formerly had six therapists and is down to two, and it currently maintains a waiting list of about 60 people for advocacy and licensed therapy services. “We currently have a waiting list of 60 individuals on our list for both advocacy and licensed therapy services,” Powers said. She told the board that licensed clinical therapy stabilizes victims and helps them maintain jobs and parental roles.
Powers said the Laurel Center provides emergency shelter—typically 60-day stays—and wraparound services including counseling and referrals through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with roughly 30 partner organizations. Deputies present described instances where officers paid for motel rooms out of pocket when no shelter beds were available; Dunn urged the county to create a pull-aside in the sheriff’s budget so deputies need not use personal funds for emergency lodging.
Board members divided on the funding approach but expressed support for the center’s work. Some supervisors said they preferred to fund outside agencies through the regular budget cycle; others argued the county had a responsibility to ensure emergency services are available when government agencies routinely refer victims to a private nonprofit. After discussion, the motion to add $40,000 passed by roll call vote: Supervisors Leerro, Lockridge, Vice Chair, Wells, Dunn and Jewell voted aye; the chair voted no.
The appropriation is an out-of-cycle addition to the current fiscal-year funding for outside agencies. County staff did not present a formal amendment to the sheriff’s budget at the meeting; the board discussed potential adjustments to future budgets to avoid deputies paying emergency lodging from personal funds.
