Citizen Services

Susan Rosenbaum, a 27-year Howard County employee and acting director of the county's Department of Citizen Services since Manus O'Donnell's January retirement, has been named its new director. County Executive James N. Robey announced her appointment yesterday. "Susan's experience in developing and delivering human services has earned her the respect of the community," Robey said. Rosenbaum began her career as a program planner in the Office on Aging, and became O'Donnell's deputy in 1991.

Wellness classes Howard County General Hospital will offer the following wellness classes in April and May. Classes will be held at the HCGH Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Drive, Suite 100, Columbia unless otherwise listed. Register in advance online at http://www.hcgh.org or call 410-740-7601. •Shoulder pain: Dr. Umasuthan Srikumaran, orthopedic surgeon, will discuss common shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff and labrum tears, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23. •Happy baby: Learn successful techniques to soothe your crying baby and promote restful sleep for your infant, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 23. This course is for parents of babies up to 3 months old. $50 per couple.

Lois Mikkila, a 27-year Columbia resident and management consultant who is active in human services issues, has been named deputy director of Howard County's Department of Citizen Services by County Executive Ken Ulman. Mikkila, 52, who is also president of the board of directors of FIRN Inc., formerly known as the Foreign Born Information and Referral Network, fills a vacancy that had existed since August, when Sharon Dawson, then the deputy director, left. A private consultant, Mikkila has done strategic planning for citizen services programs and has spent most of her career working with nonprofit and government agencies, so Ulman said she is a natural fit for the post.

Nonprofit organizations abound in Howard County, and Howard Magazine highlights who they are, what they do and how you can help. Name: Howard County Autism Society Who: Judy Grusso, executive director What is your mission? The Howard County Autism Society provides information, support and advocacy and promotes awareness of autism that values the dignity and uniqueness of each individual.    What kinds of programs and services do you provide? Last year, we served more than 2,000 people.

The Volunteer Services Unit of the Carroll County Department of Citizen Services has provided a list of jobs for which volunteers are needed.For additional information about these and other volunteer opportunities, call 848-4049 or 875-3342.* Child-care provider: Needed weekdays, 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., in Westminster, for children ages 1 to 6 years (1292A).* General clerical: Typing, filing, photocopying help needed weekdays, daytime hours in Westminster (1292B).* General office clerical: Running new office for small, non-profit agency in Westminster, weekdays; up to 18 hours a week (1292C)

The Feb. 1 retirement of Susan Rosenbaum as director of Howard County's Department of Citizen Services has set in motion a chain reaction of promotions. Department deputy director Lois Mikkila was named to replace Rosenbaum. Dale Jackson, who now runs the department's Office of Children's Services, will take Mikkila's post as deputy director, and Keri Hyde, director of the Howard County Children's Board, will take Jackson's post. Rosenbaum, director since 2004, is retiring after 34 years with the county.

Manus O'Donnell, director of Howard County's Citizen Services, is always easy to recognize in a crowd of gray-suited government employees.Tall and mild-mannered, O'Donnell, 53, is rarely without a hat -- usually one of the straw variety.After a bout with skin cancer a few years ago, O'Donnell owns an ever-expanding collection of hats that have become his trademark.Then there are his startling Sinatra-blue eyes.In fact, O'Donnell -- director of his burgeoning department for nearly 20 years, longer than any other current county agency head -- is often described as warm and sincere, a trustworthy man committed to expanding public services to county residents.

Molly Vincent, an employee of the Department of Citizen Services, has been named Howard County Government Employee of the Year by County Executive James N. Robey and the Howard County Council. She and other employees will be honored at a banquet in their honor at 6 p.m. today at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville. As program manager for the Local Children's Board, a body comprised of parents and directors of public and private agencies serving children, Vincent has helped to raise more than $1 million to implement and expand services to children and families in the county.

The County Commissioners heard chilling stories and statistics last night from people who want no reduction in spending for Carroll's citizen service programs.The $4.4 million request seemed modest in comparison to the need explained last night. The 17 agencies covered in the citizen services portion of county budget hearings are seeking 2.4 percent of a proposed $181 million operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.Agency directors told the commissioners that:Domestic violence cases now number 500 and have increased 25 percent in the past two years.

School budget: Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin proposes a $664.781 million budget for fiscal 2011, an $8 million increase over last year's. Health insurance costs and bus contract contribute to increase. Page 2 Audit: County Executive Ken Ulman requests county audit of STARR nonprofit, which went out of business last year, to account for county grant money paid before the organization shut its doors. Page 2 Appointment: Lois Mikkila has been appointed director of the county's Department of Citizen Services.

Commissioners to meet on legislative proposalsThe County Commissioners will hold a public meeting at 7: 30 p.m. today in the County Office Building to receive comments on the legislative proposals for the 1999 Maryland General Assembly.Proposals include those submitted on behalf of the Board of License Commissioners and County Commissioners.The meeting will be held in Room 003 of the County Office Building, at 225 N. Center St., Westminster.The public is welcome to attend the meeting.Information: 410-386-2973.