Inside Your County Government

We have data coming at us everyday about COVID, but what does it all really mean? 

To answer that and get an insight into our County's data, we talk with Amber Starn, Epidemiologist with the Charles County Department of Health.  We break down positivity rates, cases per 100K, and why testing and contact tracing are so important during a public health emergency. 

Links:
Maryland Testing Sites
Charles County Department of Health

CCDH Hot Line:
301-609-6717
 

We talk with Corporal Bryant with the Charles County Sheriffs Office about safety during the holidays and how to avoid theft and scams.

We talk with Monique Owens, Mental Health Advocate with NAMI Maryland about mental health and things you can do to promote good mental health during a pandemic and through the holidays. 

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

NAMI Maryland:
www.NAMIMD.org
Call 800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741741

We talk with Dr. Dianna E. Abney, Health Officer for the Charles County Department of Health about how to enjoy the holidays during the COVID pandemic.

On Tuesday, November 17, the Board of Commissioners adopted Governor Hogan’s recent executive orders, which returns the state of Maryland to Stage Two of the Roadmap to Recovery and limits capacity to 50% at all retail stores, religious institutions, fitness centers and other public places.  Dine-in service at bars, restaurants and other establishments must close at 10 p.m. and cannot reopen until 6AM. Additionally, hospital visitation is prohibited with limited exceptions and indoor nursing home visitors must have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours in advance of a scheduled visit. The restrictions will become effective on Friday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising, both locally and statewide. Residents are encouraged to stay home during the holiday season to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Those who have recently participated in large gatherings or traveled outside the region should consider getting tested for COVID-19. Charles County offers many convenient ways to get tested, including a drive-thru testing site on Tuesdays at Regency Furniture Stadium, and testing at several local pharmacies. For more information about testing location, visit COVIDtest.maryland.gov.

Now let’s take a closer look at what our Charles County Public Health Officer, Dr. Diana E. Abney, is sharing about the latest developments regarding COVID-19and provides us with insights on how to make our holiday traditions work around COVID and what best practices are to minimize our risk for exposure. Remember, it's all about us and what we do that will keep exposures down: use a mask, maintain your distance, and wash your hands.

There have been several rat sightings in the Waldorf area.  In this episode we go inside nuisance abatement to hear what is being done and what you can do to discourage rats from becoming a nuisance.   We talk with Lisa Laschalt, Director of Environmental Health, Charles County Department of Health and Jarington Bazemore, Inspection Supervisor Nuisance and Zoning Ordnances, Planning and Growth Management Charles County Government.   

For more information:
Planning and Growth Management (link TBD)
Click here to report a nuisance.
Charles County Department of Health, Environment Health

There is a lot that goes into our Department of Community Services' Housing Program.  In this second episode with the Housing Program, we talk with Jim Smith, Inspector Supervisor, about the inspection process, the need for inspections for both the tenant and the home owner, and how this plays a critical role in the success of the program. 

Jim Smith can be reached at 301-934-0122 or [email protected]   

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we're talking with Erica Rosa, a Outreach Specialist for the Center for Abused Persons (CAP). 

24/7 Support and Information
301-645-3336

More Information at:
Center for Abused Persons, Charles County

Jeremy Dautenhahn, the housing program supervisor with the Charles County Housing Authority through the Department of Community Services, joins us to talk about the Housing Choice Voucher Lottery Program.  

This is the first time in Charles County the Housing Choice Voucher Program is using a lottery format.  The list had been closed down in 2012 after remaining open for decades.   We talk about the program, how the lottery works, and the success that the program has had over the years.

Event is for distribution only. Social distancing is required.

We talk with Commissioner Amanda Stewart about her sixth Annual Back to School Fiesta and how this year's will be different. 

Registration is required. 
For more information visit Back to School Fiesta 

Event held rain or shine:
Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Regency Furniture Stadium parking lot
11765 St. Linus Dr., Waldorf, MD 20602

The backpack giveaway is open to Charles County children in grades Pre-K through 12. Registration is required. The first 250 registrations will receive a backpack. We are also holding a unique drawing for Charles County teachers, and a separate drawing for our students entering college. #BackToSchoolFiesta 

We talk with Michelle Lilly, Director of Emergency Services, about what nuisance and urban flooding are and the departments efforts to develop the County's Nuisance Flood Plan. 

To participate in the comments and include a location in the County you see flood, please visit the Map Your Flooding Survey website or email [email protected] 

For more information on the flood plan, visit the Nuisance and Urban Flooding Storymap webpage.