Youth Services Bureau

George W. Giese, who has worked with families and children in Carroll County for 22 years, has been named director of the county Department of Social Services.Giese, 55, who has run the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau since 1977, was appointed to the position Tuesday by Maryland Department of Human Resources Secretary Alvin C. Collins. He replaces M. Alexander Jones, who retired last month after heading the Social Services Department for eight years."It's a challenge, and I love this county and I see a need," said Giese of his decision to apply for Jones' job. "When somebody leaves a position you need somebody who knows something about the county to take over."

Carroll County Department of Social Services is throwing a private party today to celebrate an anniversary in 2000 -- a 65-year period that has seen the agency grow from a staff of three to about 130. On July 26, 1935, after Congress passed the Social Security Act to help the poor, the Carroll County Public Welfare Board formed. A director, an investigator and a clerk were hired to help the poorest county residents in the aftermath of the Depression. Today, its staff members handle thousands of cases, ranging from child abuse and adoptions to job placement.

Baltimore County police Detective Leonard J. Dunaja Jr., 40, has never fired his gun in anger in 19 years of police work.But he has helped a lot of bruised and abused children, found a lot of missing teen-agers, and taught hundreds of county schoolchildren how to live safer lives. Over the years he has also donated hundreds of hours to his department and his community in southern Pennsylvania.For these contributions, the police Community Relations Executive Council named him "Officer of the Year."

A private agency that helps children and teens hopes to celebrate its 20th anniversary by raising $5,000 through an art auction that begins at 7 p.m. today at the Comfort Inn in Westminster.The Carroll County Youth Service Bureau will receive a share of the profits from the auction, as well as from the $10 tickets and money from businesses and individuals who bought space in the auction program.The auction will be run by a professional firm, Heisman Fine Arts Gallery of Ardmore, Pa., and Arlington, Va."

The Carroll County Youth Service Bureau launched its Parent and Teen Mediation Program yesterday, introducing its newly trained volunteer mediators to the community. The program has provided mediators with 45 hours of training and an apprenticeship. It offers teens and their parents a free forum to work out differences with a mediator. Most of its funding is from the state's Office of Crime Control and Prevention. "This is a timely program that provides free mediation to families," said Madeline Roe, grants specialist with the bureau.

An article in yesterday's Carroll County edition of The Sun should have described a planned center in Taneytown as a community services center. The center will include offices of the Youth Services Bureau, the Department of Social Services and Taneytown Caring and Sharing ministry.Pub Date: 2/21/97

Taneytown's social services center will be named Taneytown Human Services Center, the City Council decided at its Monday night meeting.The center, a renovated former bank building at 24 E. Baltimore St., serves the northwest area of Carroll County.The Department of Social Services, Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Human Services Programs of Carroll County Inc. and Taneytown Caring and Sharing Ministries have offices in the building.The agencies provide counseling, Medicaid assistance, food stamps and help with job searches to needy residents.

County schools to be closed April 8, as scheduled Carroll County students will not have to go to school April 8, a spring break day that was in danger of being revoked until the state superintendent approved the county's request to waive a day of classes lost to snow. Maryland Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick approved Carroll's request this week. Carroll County students recouped two snow days by going to school on Presidents Day and the staff-only day that was scheduled for the following day. Classes were canceled eight times this school year because of inclement weather.

Carroll County school officials have announced opportunities for students to fulfill public service requirements for graduation. They include:* Deer Park Recreation Council: Help is needed with seasonal sports activities, including soccer, basketball, karate, working in the concession stand and planning activities.Information: Linda Silfee, 876-6639.* Piney Run Nature Center: Assistants age 14 and older are needed to help in the center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays at 30 Martz Road, Eldersburg.

The County Commissioners will consider offering the Carroll Youth Services Bureau $9,000 to allow expansion of programs while the agency awaits word on a state grant.The county has applied to a state health agency for a grant to allow the establishment of a Children of Alcoholics program, which would provide counseling for youth deemed at risk of encountering problems.The grant would provide money for start-up costs, including office rent, salaries for two counselors and overhead expenses, said Steven D.Powell, County Department of Management and Budget director.