Empowering Children, Youth
and Families

The Parenting Skills Development program provides free, regular parenting classes in Somerset County at the Somerset County Detention Center, Eastern Correctional Institute, and the Somerset County Shelter Center to support family change in a class setting. The program employs the evidence-based strategy of Active Parenting, Active Parenting of Teens, Families in Action, and Parenting Inside Out. The classes generally run for six weeks. This program is provided by Community Behavioral Health.

The Preparing Children for School Program will provide packets of school readiness materials to all students enrolling in Pre-K3 and Pre-K4. The kits will address the learning domains of math, language, literacy, social foundations, and physical development. Parents will also be invited to attend sessions as well as view a video created to teach parents about school readiness. This program is provided by the Judy Center.

Healthy Families Lower Shore is a free and volunteer home visiting program for any new parent in Somerset County. Parents can enroll in the program when they find out they are pregnant and until the baby is four months old. Home visits can occur weekly, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly. During a home visit, the home visit will provide an activity for the parents and the baby. They will also provide helpful safety and developmental information in addition to referrals to other services that the family could benefit from. If you are interested in enrolling in the Healthy Families program or would like more information, please contact Clinical Supervisor, Valerie Jackson-Brownlow, at (410) 251-6829.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police Fishing Rodeo is an annual event open to all children aged 15 and under. Held at Cottman Pond in Westover, this free event provides a unique opportunity for youth to engage in outdoor activities and learn the valuable skill of fishing—an activity that can also contribute to sustainable food sources. The event aims to foster positive habits by encouraging children to participate in recreational pursuits such as fishing, helping to steer them away from potentially harmful behaviors. All attendees receive a door prize, and awards are presented to winners in various categories based on the types and sizes of fish caught during the event.

The Guerreo Productions Warriors Program host after school programs in Somerset County schools from 3:00pm – 5:00pm.  During these sessions, Coach Carmelo teach students the importance of living a “Warrior Lifestyle” which include not indulging in the use of tobacco, alcohol and other harmful substances.  Students are also taught the importance of a healthy diet with regular physical activity.  Students are instructed basic self-defense skills and discipline without practicing any tactical interactions with them. 

Young Men of Distinction provides mentorship to youth to help them reach their individual potential, so that they might become productive and impactive leaders in their homes, schools, communities, and beyond.  The program is housed at the Garland Hayward Youth Center. 
 

The Young Men of Distinction is operated by Mr. Curtis McCoy, whose national program (of the same name) is housed at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  A team of the UMES Chapter, often join Mr. McCoy in leading mentorship and community volunteering activities with the young men at GHYC.  The program takes place as an after-school program. 

The Winter Wonderland event is held in December at a location in Princess Anne.  The SCLMB partners with the Princess Anne Police Department and the Somerset County Judy Center as the hosts for the event.  The event is free to the public and provides valuable resources from partner agencies that include the Somerset County Health Department, Somerset County Re-entry & Recovery Center, Somerset County Department of Social Services, Community Behavioral Health, Chesapeake Health Services, Tidal Health, Somerset County Local Care Team, Sante Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis, Maryland Coalition of Families, Wraparound Maryland, Maryland Department of Transportation, and many more agencies. 

Along with providing valuable resources to the public, the SCLMB partners with the Maryland Food Bank to provide the first 100 families with food boxes.  The event also allows children to have photos taken with Santa Clause along with receiving a toy that is wrapped.  The event provides free food and water along with other activities children can participate in such as arts and crafts.  The event also has a bicycle raffle where children can enter a raffle ticket to win one of six bicycles that are available to win.  This event is for Somerset County Families and Youth.