Around Maryland

Melissa Rosenberg, executive director of the Howard County Autism Society, said the funding will help sustain the current Autism Hiring Program and support its expansion to Towson University. The society is partnering with the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism at Towson, where the university will help collect data to determine if people finding employment through the program are successful at their jobs.

Baltimore’s devastating spate of violence involving young people has spurred calls to get guns out of teens’ hands. Experts say the presence of deadly weapons on the street only fuels young people’s perception they need to arm themselves in response. As to why, a growing body of evidence that suggests at least some young people who carry guns say they need them for protection.

Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) announced this week the school system will receive over $2.6 million from the competitive Stronger Connections grant program under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The competitive grant, which spans the next three academic years, provides funding to increase the school system’s capacity to provide students with safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments.

The Montgomery County, Maryland, police department is rolling out two new cruisers on Thursday, both designed to stealthily catch drivers who violate traffic laws. The standard “slick-top” cruiser looks similar to traditional police cars — however, instead of light bars mounted on the roof, slick-top lights will be placed inside the vehicle, on top of the windshield and in the rear window.

The Housing Authority of Prince George’s County (HAPGC) awarded a brokerage service contract to Divaris Real Estate Inc. (DRE). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the contract, The Virginia Beach, Virginia-based company and principal Joe Farina will provide comprehensive brokerage services to the HAPGC, providing property-related analysis, strategic planning and marketing of the authority’s portfolio.

The Maryland State Department of Education will invest more than $35 million into prekindergarten through three grant programs, the department announced Wednesday. The investment adds to historic funding for prekindergarten programming as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which aims to expand full-day prekindergarten options as one of its main priorities. Earlier this month, Gov. Wes Moore announced $11.5 million in capital funding to 67 child care facilities in the state.

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August of 2021, six families fled and ended up in Washington County. Now, a coalition of faith leaders and volunteers have teamed up to help these refugees adjust to life in the United States. More than 20 volunteers banded together to form the Refugee Welcome Network in January to provide resources to get the refugees back on their feet.

Calls to Maryland’s crisis hotline have increased 38% since the number was shortened last year from 10 digits to the easier-to-remember 988. States were required to adopt the three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline last July in an effort to make it easier for people nationwide to access lifesaving help and services. Across the country, people can call or text the hotline and be connected with a mental health counselor in their area, who will listen, provide emotional support and, if needed, share resources for longer-term help.