TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski this week announced the creation of the new Working Group on Resource Coordination to Support Victims of Sexual Exploitation, Violence, and Domestic Abuse which will be tasked with making recommendations to bolster the County’s ongoing efforts to support survivors of sexual and domestic violence — and to prevent incidents from occurring in the first place.

“All Baltimore County residents should feel safe in their homes and communities, and survivors of sexual and domestic violence deserve access to high-level, coordinated resources and assistance in a safe environment,” said County Executive Olszewski. “I want to thank the county employees, community leaders, and victim advocates who are coming together to explore best practices and identify solutions in our efforts to support and empower survivors and their families.”

Currently, the Baltimore region is home to a number of government agencies and private providers which support various components of efforts to address domestic violence, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. To help ensure Baltimore County takes a holistic approach to supporting residents and these diverse partners, Olszewski announced plans to create a working group in his FY24 Budget Message.

The newly-announced Working Group on Resource Coordination to Support Victims of Sexual Exploitation, Violence, and Domestic Abuse will be tasked with reviewing resources various organizations currently provide, identifying opportunities to better coordinate existing resources and programs, and making recommendations regarding potential changes to policy to improve collaboration between federal, state, and local government agencies and private providers.

The Working Group will convene a diverse group of government representatives, local stakeholders, and community leaders, including:

• Rebecca Allyn, Victim Services Manager, Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services
• Audrey Bergin, Manager, Domestic Violence (DOVE) Program, LifeBridge Health
• Roz Berkowitz, Baltimore County Commission for Women
• Alicia Bickoff, Deputy Director, CHANA
• Amy Blank, Baltimore County Commission for Women
• Aimee Bollinger-Smith, Assistant Director, Community-Based Services Division, Baltimore County Department of Social Services
• Dana Cala, Victim Advocacy Supervisor, Baltimore County Child Advocacy Center
• Laura Clary, Director of the SAFE and DV Program, GBMC
• Shelby Frink, Interim Executive Director, Family Crisis Center
• Shelly Hettleman, Maryland State Senator
• Sharon Leason, Victim Services Grant Manager, Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services
• Robert McCullough, Chief, Baltimore County Police Department
• Ashley Meyer, Director of Grants Management, Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance
• Mark Millspaugh, Deputy Director for Social Service, Baltimore County Health and Human Services
• Lisa Nitsch, Director of Training & Education, House of Ruth Maryland
• Mandy Remmell, Director, Baltimore County Office of Community Engagement
• Amanda Rodriguez, Executive Director, TurnAround, Inc.
• Janine Scott, Chief Attorney, Baltimore County Office of Maryland Legal Aid
• Scott Shellenberger, State’s Attorney, Baltimore County
• Krista Trahan, Co-Director, Baltimore County Child Advocacy Center
• Giuliana Valencia-Banks, Immigrant Affairs Outreach Coordinator, Baltimore County
• Jennifer White Holland, Maryland State Delegate, District 10
• Pat Young, Baltimore County Councilman, District 1

The first meeting of the working group will be held on December 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. in Room 118 of the Baltimore County Historic Courthouse, located at 400 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. A schedule for future meetings is available on the group’s webpage.