Board Profile Summary

Description of the Board

Somerset County established the Somerset County Local Management Board in January

of 1997 in response to the State's desire to transform Maryland's human service delivery system

for children and families. Based on the premise that local stakeholders are in the best position to

understand the needs of their community, the SCLMB was given authority to plan, implement,

and monitor a system of care for children and families. The SCLMB obtained its status as a

501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2011. It is one of only four nonprofit LMBs in the state.

The mission of the SCLMB is to promote a safe, healthy, and stable environment for all

Somerset County children and families by achieving a comprehensive system of education,

health, and human services through public and private interagency collaboration. The Board

envisions Somerset County as a community in which the entire family feels safe, supported, and

involved; youth are active and involved; adults excel in the work force; and people from all

socioeconomic levels contribute to the community.

Primary functions of the SCLMB are: enhancing the support for children, families, and

communities by promoting prevention, intervention, and treatment; creating an integrated

network of providers to promote universal access to comprehensive, data-driven services; and

advocating and leading efforts to align resources, programs, and policy.

The 12-member Board serves as an integrated oversight entity for child and family

services in Somerset County. The Board is a cross-sector partnership composed of

representatives from both public and private entities. Based on a recommendation from the

Board, the Somerset County Commissioners appoint members to serve 3-year terms. The Board

internally elects its officers of chairman, vice chairman, and treasurer for two-year terms.
 2018 SCLMB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NAME COMMUNITY AFFILIATION

Kelly Hawkins, chairman Eastern Shore Psychological Services
Sheila Warner, vice chairman Somerset County Department
of Juvenile Services
Lt. Patrick Metzger, treasurer Maryland State Police
Karen Brimer Somerset County Circuit Court
Tracey Cottman Somerset County Public Schools
Wessman Garner Somerset County
State’s Attorney’s Office
Garland Hayward Town of Princess Anne
Claudia Nelson Somerset County Department
of Social Services
Rev. Craig Mathies Somerset County Commissioners
Sister Cecilia McManus Catholic Charities – Seton Center
Dawn Scher Healthy Families Lower Shore
Health Officer (Vacant) Somerset County Health Department

The SCLMB has two primary funding sources, the Governor’s Office for Children and

Maryland State Department of Education. For FY18, the SCLMB’s budget totals $907,586.

However, it consistently seeking additional funds to supplement its revenue and expand

programming.

FY18-19 REVENUE
NAME COMMUNITY AFFILIATION
Children’s Cabinet Community Partnership Agreement
Governor’s Office for Children $288,755
Maryland State Department of Education Home Visiting
$299,584
Maryland State Department of Education 21st Century Learning Centers Grant
$184,658
Maryland State Department of Education Public Schools Opportunities Enhancement Act Grant
$134,589

Management and Accountability

The SCLMB is staffed by an executive director and two program coordinators. Reporting

directly to the board, the SCLMB’s executive director is responsible for day-to-day management

of the SCLMB, its staff, and its programs. Rota Knott has served as executive director for four

years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and is currently working toward
acquiring a Master of Science in Human Services Administration. She has worked for more than

a decade in nonprofit administration and grants management. The SCLMB contracts with

Jennifer Bertrand to serve as a program coordinator managing the Local Care Team functions as

directed by GOC. The SCLMB contracts with a program coordinator, David Noonan, to oversee

the afterschool programs funded by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Board Oversight

The full Board meets a minimum of four times per year to conduct program planning and

evaluation. The Board reviews the operational status and financial reports for each funded

program on a monthly basis, conducts monitoring visits, and directs policy and procedures for

the SCLMB. The Board executive committee meets as needed or when the full board is unable to

convene. During the period between meetings, the Board may review and vote on issues via

electronic media if necessary. Board officers interact with the executive director daily-to-weekly

via in-person meetings, email, and telephone to provide guidance and review program and

financial documents.

Community

The SCLMB serves all of Somerset County, a rural jurisdiction located on the Eastern

Shore of Maryland, including the population centers of Princess Anne and Crisfield. Census

estimates for 2016 indicate a population of 25,928 within Somerset County. The racial

composition of the county is approximately 54 percent white, 42 percent African American, and

4 percent of other ethnic backgrounds. Nearly 17 percent of the county’s population is under the

age of 18, totaling 4,351 youth. Approximately 36 percent of children live in poverty and 65

percent of students are eligible for Free and Reduced Meals. Twenty percent of residents age 25
or older have education equating to less than a high school diploma, and, as of January 2018, the

county had an unemployment rate of 9.2 percent, more than twice the statewide average.