State of Maryland awarded over $341 million grant for COVID-19 response

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Emergency Management Agency announced this week that the state of Maryland will receive a $341 million federal grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency associated with COVID-19. This award provides funding to the Maryland Department of Health for personal protective equipment purchased to support the state’s healthcare workers and first responders. This grant, administered through MEMA’s Public […]

Governor Hogan nominates Dennis R. Schrader as Secretary of Maryland Department of Health

BALTIMORE, MD—Governor Larry Hogan has announced the nomination of Dennis R. Schrader as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health. Schrader has served as the Acting Secretary since December 2020, replacing Robert R. Neall, who retired. Schrader previously served as Acting Health Secretary of the Department in 2017 and as Deputy Secretary for Healthcare Financing and Chief Operating Officer from […]

Maryland Department of Health launches Operation Courage mental health program for frontline workers, first responders

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health on Monday announced Operation Courage, a new support services program designed to address the growing and long-term mental health care needs of frontline workers and first responders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The program launched with a new website and an online assessment designed to encourage workers to get needed help. “We are grateful for […]

MEMA prepares for Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on Thursday

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Maryland residents to participate in the The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill occurring across the country on October 15 at 10:15 a.m. Although the current pandemic has changed the way many Marylanders accomplish day-to-day activities, citizens can still participate in the Great Southeast ShakeOut 2020 earthquake drill from home, work, or school. “Even […]

Baltimore County Fire Department receives $410,000 in federal funding for fire prevention efforts

TOWSON, MD—This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $410,000 in federal funding for fire prevention efforts in Baltimore County. Funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Fire Prevention & Safety Grants program. The funds will allow Baltimore County to purchase 15,000 smoke and carbon […]

Unemployed Marylanders to begin receiving extra $300 payments this week

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson on Wednesday announced that the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program, offering claimants an additional $300 per week in retroactive federal benefits, will be launching ahead of schedule this Friday, September 11th. After being initially approved for three weeks of LWA funding, Maryland has now been approved by the Federal Emergency Management […]

FEMA announces lost wages grant for Maryland

WASHINGTON, DC—On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, the state of Maryland agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor […]

State of Maryland applies for additional $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits

UPDATE: Maryland’s request has been approved by FEMA – details here. Original story below… —— ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Wednesday announced that Maryland has submitted an application to the Federal Emergency Management Administration for the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) grant, which will provide an additional $300 per week to Marylanders who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Maryland […]