Community Resources and Services warns of federal-state cuts as demand rises; asks council to avoid additional reductions

Jackie Scott, director of Howard County's Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), presented the department's FY26 operating budget and emphasized a heavy reliance on state and federal grants to deliver services across the lifespan. Scott said the department's total operating request is roughly $41.9 million, with about $19.8 million from the county general fund and the remainder from federal grants, program revenue and special funds; she said the proposed request represents less than a 2% increase and contains no new efforts.

Scott warned the council that potential federal cuts (including proposals affecting HHS programs and Older Americans Act funding streams) could have an outsized effect on DCRS and on the county's nonprofit partners. She described three tiers of exposure: direct county administered federal funds supporting seniors and congregate meals (Administration for Community Living programs), passthrough grants for childcare workforce training and home visiting, and risk to nonprofits that also depend on federal reimbursements. Scott said DCRS is monitoring possible cuts — which she estimated at roughly $900,000 to $1 million to date — and asked the council to avoid further reductions in county contributions so the department can remain flexible.

Council members asked about staff vacancies (two half-year frozen positions and three full-year frozen positions) and how DCRS has reassigned duties; Scott said senior leadership redistributed oversight and that the department has relied on grant realignment and internal realignment to maintain services. Questions followed on nutrition and congregate meals for older adults: Ophelia Ott (Office on Aging and Independence) said 16% of Howard County residents are age 65 and older, and 60+ population will grow; she noted 50-plus centers run congregate meals (supported by Title III/Older Americans Act funds) and that donations are requested but meals remain available without means testing. The department said staff are preparing outreach and contingency plans if federal funding streams change and that the county and administration are coordinating budget and grant risk assessments.

Ending: Scott repeated DCRS's request that the council avoid further local cuts, stressing that the department has already slimmed operations, carried vacancies, and increased grant-seeking to bridge gaps. Council members asked for the analysis DCRS is using to monitor grant jeopardy and agreed to follow up on the department's requests for support if federal and state changes materialize.