Baltimore County has launched a new online system where residents can register for services, including food distribution for seniors and career center offerings.
To start out, the system will be used by the county’s Department of Aging and Department of Economic and Workforce Development, and it will later be introduced to other departments.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said the online system will help connect more people with the services they need during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This crisis has upended life in countless ways, and it requires our County to find creative solutions to the challenges we face,” Olszewski said in a statement. “We hope this new online reservation system will allow for greater convenience for our residents to take full advantage of the resources their government has to offer.”
The Baltimore County Department of Aging provides boxes of food to adults age 60 and older to address food insecurity and limit the number of trips outside the home for seniors with chronic health conditions. The department has provided nearly 1 million meals to older adults since May 2020.
Seniors must make an appointment to receive a food kit. At 8:30 a.m. each Monday, people can register for appointments for the following week.
Until now, residents age 60 and older had to call 410-887-2040 to schedule their pick-up date, time and location.
While they still have the option of registering by phone, they can now also sign up by using the new online portal at baltimorecountymd.gov/aging-food-distribution.
When registering, seniors will need to provide their phone number, which serves as their account ID, and an email address. They will then receive an email or text message confirming their appointment.
“We want to give our County’s older adults as many options as possible to take advantage of this program that helps keep people fed and safe, and we’re very pleased to be able to streamline the registration process for those that have ability to do so,” Laura D. Riley, director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging, said in a statement. “This is another great step forward in putting more of our offerings online and will be another important tool in our toolbox to help expand access to access this critical service.”
People seeking to make an appointment with the county’s career center will now have the option of registering online as well.
Residents who are looking for a job can access an assortment of county tools, resources and services, including career planning, job search assistance, occupational skills training, skills enhancement training, access to labor market information, GED and literacy programs and career development workshops.
People need an appointment to use in-person resources, such as computer resource labs, office technology, individual work spaces, and other services at the County’s Hunt Valley and Liberty Career Centers.
To register, residents can visit baltimorecountymd.gov/career-centers.
People can also call 410-887-8000 or email talentworks@baltimorecountymd.gov to learn more about the county’s resources for job seekers.
“As we continue to see the ongoing impact and long-term shifts in our economy due to the pandemic, we remain committed to supporting Baltimore County’s job seekers,” Leonard Howie, director of the Department of Economic and Workforce Development, said in a statement. “During this critical time, we hope our County residents take advantage of this new system and the many services and resources offered to them.”
