Stephanie Long
(7/7) A local agency is transitioning to a
county agency, adding to the list of Frederick County services.
Up-County Family Support Center, a local
non-profit aid agency that serves Northern Frederick County, will officially
become a county agency in January 2009. The Frederick County Commissioners set
aside $78,500 in the fiscal year 2009 county budget to fund the agency.
The change comes on the heels of a
nationwide economic change and Up-County’s’ loss of its current sponsor,
Catholic Charities.
“They have been a great sponsor, but they
couldn’t fund us,” said Liza Frye, director of Up-County.
All of Up-County’s employees will stay on
when the change occurs, Frye said, and will become county employees.
Although other aid agencies exist in
Frederick County, Up-County’s mission will not change, Frye said, and they will
continue to serve Northern Frederick County and “the community in the same
way.”
Although Frederick County intends to fund
the agency $78,500, Frye said future “upgrades” to the budget will be needed.
The town of Emmitsburg may step in to help
Up-County meet some of its budget needs. An annual restricted use donation of
$24,000 may be given to Up-County from the town that could be used for programs
or equipment, but no operating costs.
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