Family and Children's Services Opens 'One Stop Shop' in North Laurel

Thursday, June 1, 2006

(The Business Monthly) -- Family and Children's Services (FCS) is expanding its services at the Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center in North Laurel in hopes of creating a "one stop shop" for individuals and families in need of counseling and other assistance.

FCS became the first provider of counseling and other much-needed services in this under-served area of the county when it opened its North Laurel office two years ago.

"We've always understood that resources are scarce in the Laurel/Savage community," FCS District Director Pat Thompson said. "We know that the bulk of services are located in Columbia and accessing them is not always easy for families who live in Laurel."

Among the nonprofits joining FCS in North Laurel are Grassroots, the Domestic Violence Center, FIRN and the Community Action Council.

Thompson said bringing such organizations to North Laurel is part of the county's plan for health and human services, which calls for agencies to work together to provide services in areas where there is "a void.

"It's the county's desire for service providers to work together," she said, noting the efficiency and accessibility of community-based facilities with combined services.

The North Laurel office of FCS operates under a three-year grant from The Horizon Foundation, which ends in December. FCS is currently paying rent on the space and shares its computers, phones, fax machines and other office equipment with the other agencies. It also pays the salaries of the office support staff.

"We're looking for ongoing funding, either from the county or other funders," Thompson said. "We're hoping to demonstrate a need by the community taking advantage of these resources."

Providers currently offering services at the North Laurel office include:

- Family and Children's Services: In North Laurel, FCS offers family and individual counseling, employee assistance programs, in-home services for elderly and disabled people and the Healthy Families program for first-time parents. FCS accepts third-party insurance and charges uninsured clients fees based on a sliding scale.

- Community Action Council: The Community Action Council's staff is available in the North Laurel office on Wednesday, from 3-6 p.m., to help with eviction prevention, Food Bank, energy assistance and crisis intervention. Walk-ins are welcome or call 301-498-7509 or 410-313-6440 to make an appointment.

- FIRN: FIRN's information and referral counselor, Kristin Lilly, is in North Laurel every Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. Lilly is fluent in Spanish and can provide help with medical bills, applying for an ITIN (tax identification number), legal referrals, applying for or correcting a birth certificate, applying for housing and applying for a U.S. passport. Walk-in clients are welcome or call 301-498-7509, ext. 228, or 410-992-1923, ext.12, for an appointment

- Domestic Violence Center: The Domestic Violence Center's (DVC) client services coordinator is in North Laurel on Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. to help people in immediate crisis and match them with the correct DVC services. Walk-ins are welcome or call 301-498-7509 or 410-997-0304 for an appointment. People in immediate crisis should call the 24-hour hotline at 410-997-2272.

- Grassroots: Counselor Dianne Desantis is available in North Laurel on Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. to help individuals and families through immediate crisis situations and make sure they receive the long-term help they need. She can be reached at 301-498-7509, ext. 302, or through Grassroots' 24-hour hotline at 410-531-6677.

FCS in North Laurel office is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday. For more information or to make an appointment, call 301-498-7509 or stop by the office at 9105 All Saints Road in the Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center.