Cecil County Activates Emergency Shelter Program

From Cecil Government: As many of you are already aware, the emergency rotating shelter previously operated by Meeting Ground and a coalition of faith-based partners, will not be operating this year.

Therefore, an emergency motel voucher system will be implemented to respond to freezing weather for vulnerable homeless residents of Cecil County. This response will be initiated whenever the local weather forecast for Elkton, MD meets the definition of Baltimore City's Code Blue defined below:

Temperatures, including wind chill, are expected to be 13°F or below. This threshold can be reached by having a temperature at or below 20°F with 5 mph sustained winds or a temperature at or below 25°F with 15 mph sustained winds. Other conditions that may be considered include precipitation for more than two hours, extended period of cold, sudden cold after a warm period, etc.

This plan is activated effective today, 12/26/17 through 1/2/18 based on the current forecast.

The Cecil County Health Department, Department of Emergency Services, and the Department of Social Services collectively determine when the freezing weather plan is activated. This information is posted to the websites of each agency. Additionally, notice will be sent to the Cecil County Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness e-mail group.

People needing shelter who are active participants of the Maryland Public Behavioral Health System may be referred to the Mental Health Core Service Agency (CSA) 410-996-5112. The CSA actively coordinates with Mary Randall Center and On Our Own to identify individuals who need emergency shelter.

All others, including those who need "after business hours" assistance should be referred to the Department of Social Services 410-996-0100. If after hours, the caller should wait for the prompt for the on call staff person.

Limited motel funds will be used until exhausted. Please share this information widely with your networks.

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