Hagerstown, Md. (NS) – Several organizations in Washington County are receiving state grants to help youth and families in need. A total of $866,202 in grants were awarded.
Rachel Souders, Senior Grant Manager with the Washington County Office of Grant Management, said The Family Center is receiving $88,800 to help teens who get pregnant.
“What the Family Center does is it helps mostly teenagers who either are pregnant or have a child under the age of two who would otherwise have dropped out of high school or not have obtained their GED. The Family Center assists them with being able to attend classes and it provides childcare while the parent is in those classes,” said Souders.
She said this allows the students to finish high school and get jobs.
“It’s overall helpful to the community because it prevents high school dropouts and works to break the cycle of teenage parenting,” Souders explained.
Other programs receiving funds include the School Based Mental Health Program, Family Strong, the Western Maryland Consortium Disconnected Youth Services, Juvenile Diversion Program, and the creation of a Local Care Team Coordinator.
