• Surprised at the numbers because the African American unemployment rate was very low in 2019. 
• Counterpoint: overall rate in 2019 was low but the disparities were/are still there - employed adults are often under-employed or working multiple jobs while still struggling economically 
• **Poverty doesn't mean not working**
• Low-income families working lower-wage jobs that are "off the book" type jobs (lack consistency, benefits, regulation)
• High cost of housing means family budgets are often housing overburdened
• Cost of food and other basic necessities are also expensive
• Need better, more affordable childcare options so families can increase their hours at work or work on education
• Single-parent families are at a disadvantage, particularly in this county, with only one income 
• Financial Literacy - not really taught anywhere as part of general education
• Technology divide - impacts families too in terms of accessing job sites, postings, being able to do virtual interviews during COVID
• The money that struggling families are making is going to the bills/rent and can't afford the technology for virutal learning for themselves or their kids
• Interview skills/ resume building in this environment is challenging 
• Lack of good transportation makes getting from where people live in the county (particularly the more affordable parts) to where the jobs are
• Public Transportation to job interviews during this pandemic may not be the safest option for some families even when it is available
• Lack of qualifications/licensing or ability to obtain these for available jobs
• Lack of case management to support these families 
• Homeless families have a very hard time breaking the cycle - need more options to support families as they work towards stability
• Contacting resources may be difficult for families who cannot afford to pay their phone bills or who only have sporadic phone access
• Lack of high school diploma or GED - though even that is not enough for many jobs
• Criminal records and how we treat those returning from incarceration
• Substance use/abuse and lack of treatment options
• Impacts of mental health/lack of mental health services 
• Solutions are considered as "bandaids" smaller specific problems in the moment but as a community, we are not equipped to address the underlying problems 
• Many are looking for any jobs available but not looking for a career which would help build long-term stability
• Life education vs school education 
• Helping both youth and adults explore non-college career paths/knowing what options are available.
• Lack of bilingual programs and services
• Legal status to be able to apply to different jobs. (ask for social security/documents) 
• In most Hispanic families, they have one person providing the household income. 
• The regular childcare programs are high cost, but families that have a special needs child pay more for these programs.
• COVID-19 has exposed many Hispanic families because of living situations/jobs/etc. which has further impacted their ability to work/earn 
• Many Hispanic families (who lack legal status) can't access unemployment, humanitarian relief fund, other benefits

• AAWDC 
• County govt
• State Govt
• City Govt
• DSS
• HACA/HCAAC
• AACPS
• The Arc
• Partnership CYF
• Food Bank
• HOPE for All
• Mental Health Agency/CSA/Crisis Response
• DHMH
• Dept. of Aging
• The Y of Central MD
• AACC
• YWCA
• Arundel Lodge
• Faith Community
• MD Chapter - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Hospitals (UMD BWMC, AAMC, Harbor)
• Private funders - philanthropy community/foundations
• County Council/City Council/Local Representatives
• Courts
• District Attorney's Office
• DJS
• Homeland Security/CIS/ICE/CBCP
• Mental Health Providers
• Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment providers
• SOC/CRICT teams
• AACPL
• Business Community (Local Chambers of Commerce)
• Parks and Rec (childcare piece?)
• The YMCA (scholarships for childcare)
• Families 

• Basic Needs Supports - Systems of Care, Case Management, etc.
• Multi-D Teams (CRICT, EC CRICT, etc.)
• Not My Child (addressing substance use/abuse)
• AACC - Reducing cost of higher education, training programs, non-credit courses to help with employment
• Homeless Coalition
• Homeless Coordinator AACPS (in conjunction with PPW's, school counselors, etc.)
• Shelters and other homeless supports
• DSS Emergency Service Unit/Alternative Response
• Homelessness Prevention/Shelter Diversion Programs (UWCM)
• Flexible and braided funding streams to meet family needs (car repairs, medications, stop-gap measures)
• Data sharing among key agencies (better service delivery to families that are "deep end" users)
• Vehicles for change
• Having a robust public transportation system
• Universal Pre-K (alleviates some child care issues/helps children with school success)
• Affordable before and aftercare for kids
• Child Care Vouchers
• Finding a new industry to bring into the community (example: Baltimore City biotech industry)
• Sick Child Day Care (Minnesota model, Baltimore County)
• Evening child care for parents who work swing shift (Kingdom Kare - West County)
• Increased public housing opportunities
• Better zoning laws that allow for more affordable housing
• Communities are organized/unionized - advocacy around wages
• Employment centers
• Dorm Program in Portland, ME - downtown location to help them have access to jobs/programs
• Mentoring for teens/young adults for outside perspective/guidance 
• Helping parents with virutal learning and virtual job seeking/interviewing
• Affordable Virutal Learning Centers where kids can go throughout the county 
• Churches that want to help but are unsure of how to - perhaps give them a "problem" to solve or a specific identified gap to fill?
• Partnering with Police Dept to help with criminal record barriers - also look at policy and hiring practices that make expungement necessary
• Mobile services/solutions (ex: medstar van)

1. More access to supports for basic needs to help families get/remain stable (SOC, CRICT Teams, alternative response, Family Stability programs)
2. Increase in skill/trade/training programs in growth industries (cyber security, HVAAC, plumbing) and "old school" trades (carpentry, electricians, plumbers, etc.)
3. Create community Hubs/Drop-In Centers for families and youth where they can access multiple services in one place
4. Full-Day Universal Pre-K with FREE Before & After Care
5. Improved regional transportation plan to make employment options more accessible regardless of where you live

Two themes/notes were also highlighted:

• Need to get communities educated and on-board to reduce NIMBY mindset/behaviors so we can have more diverse affordable housing options across the county
• Need to better address systemic disparities and inequities, particularly as it relates to trauma - so more training and tools for agencies/systems/providers