About
The Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency (BPSS) was created in 2008 to act as a planning and coordinating body for initiatives that promote the economic stability of individuals and families and reduce the incidence of poverty in Howard County. The Board envisions a community where those in need have opportunities and pathways for getting ahead.
The board generally meets at Patuxent Woods Drive Columbia, MD 21046. During the pandemic, the board is meeting via WebEx. Please contact Cara Baumgartner if you would like to attend the BPSS meeting via WebEx: carabaumgartner@howardcountymd.gov.
Board members include key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Current Community and Ex-Officio Board Members are listed below.
Brooke Abercrombi, Howard Community College
Sherry Banks, Temporary Cash Assistance Unit, Family Investment Administration, Howard County Department of Social Services
Jennifer Broderick, Executive Director, Bridges to Housing Stability
Brad Closs, Community Volunteer
Bita Dayhoff, President, Community Action Council of Howard County, Inc.
Joan Driessen, Director, Association of Community Services
Amma Felix, Collegiate Directions
Michael Garzon, BGE
Kashonna Holland, Owner, Simply Kashonna
Mariana Izraelson, Executive Director, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
Venita Leatherwood, HopeWorks
Stan Levi, Community Volunteer
Aisha Masood, Community Volunteer
Jennifer Pollitt Hill, Executive Director, HopeWorks of Howard County, Inc.
Kim Salazar, Director of Finance, Howard County General Hospital
Gudell Ward, IMEC Group
David Woodruff, APL Credit Union
Kelly Cimino, Director, Department of Housing and Community Development
Peter Engel, Howard County Housing Commission
Kate Hetherington, President, Howard Community College
Dr. Michael Martirano, Howard County Public Schools System
Maura Rossman, Health Officer, Howard County Health Department
Jacqueline Scott, Director, Howard County Department of Community Resources & Services
Francine Trout, Administrator, Howard County Office of Workforce Development