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Council backs Family Advocacy Clinic; authorizes advertising for legal services and confirms grant award
Summary
The Council approved a request to advertise for legal counsel/director services for a new Dorchester County Family Advocacy Clinic and confirmed acceptance of a $125,000 FFY25 Foster Care Court Improvement Program grant to support the clinic (performance period Nov. 1, 2024–Oct. 31, 2025).
The Dorchester County Council approved a request to advertise for proposals to procure attorney(s) to serve as legal counsel and director for a new Dorchester County Family Advocacy Clinic and confirmed acceptance of a related federal grant.
Magistrate Mary O'Donnell asked the Council to authorize advertising for proposals to provide the contract services of an attorney (or attorneys) licensed in Maryland to serve as legal counsel and director of the County's new Family Advocacy Clinic; that request was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved. Judge William Jones introduced Magistrate O'Donnell, and O'Donnell provided an overview of the grant and thanked the Council for its support.
Separately, the Council confirmed an interim poll vote to accept a $125,000 FFY25 Foster Care Court Improvement Program/Child Welfare Grant through the Administrative Office of the Courts/Administration for Children and Families to fund creation and support of the Dorchester County Preventative Family Advocacy Clinic. The grant requires no local match and carries a performance period of Nov. 1, 2024, through Oct. 31, 2025. The poll confirmation was recorded as 4‑0 in favor with one member not responding to the poll.
Council did not discuss detailed staffing plans or a timeline for procurement during the open session minutes; the RFP advertisement and any contract awards will proceed per normal procurement rules.
