1 of 55

1

Kent County Local Management Board

Children’s Agenda

2 of 55

2

What is the Chestertown Children’s Agenda?

The Children’s Agenda is a physical list of goals and strategies that will guide the effort and monetary investments of the Kent County Local Management Board.
The Children’s Agenda is also a group of community members working to make Chestertown a better place to be a kid.

3 of 55

3

These Community Conversations

The Community Conversation you are part of today is one of six community conversations we are having to create the physical list of goals and strategies that will guide the effort and monetary investments of the Kent County Local Management Board.

4 of 55

4

Conversation #1 Friday, May 2nd 5:30pm - 7:30pm Orientation and Topic Prioritization	Conversation #2 Wednesday, May 21st 5:30pm - 7:30pm Identify needs, opportunities, and recommendations around the first topic chosen	Conversation #3 Saturday, May 31st 11:00am - 1:00pm Identify needs, opportunities, and recommendations around the first topic chosen
Conversation #4 Wednesday, June 11th 5:30pm - 7:30pm Identify needs, opportunities, and recommendations around the first topic chosen	Conversation #5 Saturday, June 21st 11:00am - 1:00pm Draft shared goals and vision.	Conversation #6 Saturday, July 12th 11:00am - 1:00pm Organize next steps, identify immediate changes within KCLMB, and celebrate.

Schedule of Community Conversations

5 of 55

5

Community Conversation #1: Orientation & Topic Prioritization

Goals:

Welcome Chestertown Experts to the first Children’s Agenda conversation
Present findings from knocking 1,000 people’s doors in Chestertown
Invite Chestertown Experts to lift up other important topics
Vote on the 3 topics we want to focus on over the next couple months

Activities:

Introductions
Presentation: Findings from Interviews
Small Group Reflection: Missing Topics?
Topic Voting Activity
Identify Priorities for Next Five Conversations

6 of 55

6

What is the Kent County Local Management Board?

Kent County Local Management Board The Kent County Local Management Board (KCLMB) is a hub for local planning, coordination, and funding strategies to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.

The LMB collaborates with the Maryland Governor’s Children's Cabinet to fulfill state priorities, convene local stakeholders to identify and address local needs and coordinate services to fill gaps and avoid duplication.

KCLMB also runs the local care team for families seeking support and resources to help their children thrive.

Please call the KCLMB and speak with Rachael to learn more and seek assistance: (410) 810-2673

7 of 55

7

Who is Everyday Canvassing?

Everyday Canvassing knocks doors, talks to folks on streets, and in public places to learn what communities in Maryland want to maintain and change about where they live. We initiate relationships with community members that become a springboard for community and government to make decisions together.

8 of 55

8

What are the outcomes of the Children’s Agenda?

Kent County Local Management Board’s Budget and Effort

Reinvented programs
New initiatives

Neighborly support
Possible County and Statewide Change

9 of 55

9

10 of 55

10

11 of 55

11

Our Journey So Far

1,000 doors knocked
260 interviews gathered
180 follow-up contacts
Goal: The Children's Agenda- made by Chestertown families, for Chestertown families

12 of 55

12

What was each interview like?

We asked: "What would make Chestertown a great place to be a kid?"
Open-ended interviews
Residents shared hopes, concerns, and solutions

13 of 55

13

INSERT VERTICAL SHARED VALUES PART I

14 of 55

14

INSERT VERTICAL SHARED VALUES PART II

15 of 55

15

Top 5 Themes

2.

Transportation

1.

Housing

3.

4.

Commercial Access

5.

Recreation

Family and Community Culture

16 of 55

16

1.

Housing

Possibilities

17 of 55

17

What We Heard:

Affordability

“I have empty places around me because people can’t afford it anymore. They were good neighbors who looked out for each other and the kids.”

"We need more options that are more affordable because everything is too high."

18 of 55

18

What We Heard: Needing Homes

“...*** is needing a home right now for her and her two children… ” (Note: ***works full-time)

"Also, there is no rule in the laws that you cannot have a tiny home here. But the commissioners don't want tiny homes."

19 of 55

19

Possibilities: Housing Laws (Zoning)

Create more affordable family-friendly options that are mixed-income

Create intergenerational density

Allow for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and single-room occupancies (SROs)

-(2023) Rethinking Zoning to Increase Affordable Housing, The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)

20 of 55

20

Possibilities: Examples

Garrett County: “River Hill” includes multiple housing choices for varied income levels along with a community center.

Phase 1 is a 30 unit senior apartment building.
Phase 2 is a complex of rent to own townhomes and apartments
Phase 3 and beyond include “rustic” single family homes to blend into the river environment.

21 of 55

21

Small Group Discussions

Reflect:

Do the housing needs described sound about right to you? What would you add?
What do you think about the housing possibilities presented for Chestertown?

22 of 55

22

2.

Transportation

23 of 55

23

“Especially need a ride to the food pantry”

“They need walkable places for kids to go besides the library, or transportation to and from the community center”

“Have to get a ride from a random person”

“And not all of us have a car”

What We Heard: Rides/Transit

24 of 55

24

“Transportation and jobs are so important here because people can’t commute to another location to work. Need the non-profits to convene and work together for the community. See where the gaps and overlaps are so we can use our minimal resources in the best way”

“Maybe we need volunteers on the weekends. I’d volunteer to help kids kayak, no fees involved”

What We Heard:

Volunteers & Opportunities

25 of 55

25

Creating a community rideshare program:

Washington College has a service called “Safe Ride” that is highly effective
A community rideshare program (“Shore Shuttle”?) could be powered by volunteers and/or people looking to make extra cash
There could be a number people can call
Free to use
Could be a hangout where drivers who are on the clock can go and talk with one another and wait for calls

Pre-existing place or build a new location

Possibilities: Rideshare

26 of 55

26

Other rural communities have implemented rideshare programs, such as JAUNT:

Runs out of Central Virginia
“Provides curb-to-curb demand-response service” (ridejaunt.org)
Make a reservation either using the phone number or sending an email to their email–both listed on their website
“Reservations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m” (ridejaunt.org)
Fare-free
Paid employees
Take you to work, medical appointments, shopping trips, school, etc.

Possibilities: Models

27 of 55

27

JAUNT Homepage

ridejaunt.org

28 of 55

28

Other rural communities have implemented rideshare programs, such as Mason Transit Authority:

Operates out of Washington state
Mix of volunteers and paid employees
Has a vanpooling option and “Dial-A-Ride” option

Vanpooling is volunteer run and there is a small fee that the group has to pay
“Dial-A-Ride” works similarly to JAUNT–it is fare free and there is a number to call to schedule a ride

Can also schedule through the website and/or app

However, “Dial-A-Ride” will only travel within Mason County

Possibilities: Models

29 of 55

29

Mason Transit Authority Homepage

masontransit.org

30 of 55

30

Can start a version of a community rideshare program right now!

People who want to volunteer their time who have cars and a clean driving record can place to hangout & wait for people who need rides

Royal Farms, Wilmer Park, etc.

Put a message in the Facebook group with available times for rides
Find a way to provide free coffee to the drivers and maybe even the people who need a ride

Possibilities: “Do Now”

31 of 55

31

Small Group Discussions

Reflect:

Do the transportation needs described sound about right to you? What would you add?
What do you think about the transportation possibilities presented for Chestertown?

32 of 55

32

3.

Family Community Culture

33 of 55

33

“Would like more activities for kids, but parents need to get involved.”

"The dynamic between parents and children has shifted"

"I feel like people got lazy after COVID, and now I don’t know how we get back together to take care of each other and our community."

What We Heard: Parenting and Belonging

34 of 55

34

“ Just because there are fewer kids around here doesn’t mean they’re any less important. You have to be present, be someone they know cares”

“Kids here get those looks—certain people just give them those looks.”

“The people were so nice, but now they're nasty, the racism got louder"

What We Heard: Teenism and Racism

35 of 55

35

Create opportunities for teenagers to interact with the community through recreational events

Community Kickball Game
Opportunities for engagement at Kent County Public Library

Tabletop game night

Possibilities

36 of 55

36

Promote community building through facilitated enrichment activities.

Community Storytelling

The Moth Model
Mediated storytelling opportunities
Share on WKHS

Community Scavenger hunt

Possibilities

37 of 55

37

Small Group Discussions

Reflect:

Do the family and community culture needs described sound about right to you? What would you add?
What do you think about the family and community culture possibilities presented for Chestertown?

38 of 55

38

4.

Commercial Access

39 of 55

39

What We Heard: Activities

“Also, it’d be nice to have painting and drawing classes...”

“We need a mini golf place in Kent County! A place for people to hang - something fun to do.”

“I don't why they took this stuff away we had so much more in Chestertown when I was growing up. Bring back supervised arcade and game rooms.”

40 of 55

40

Possibilities: Multi-Use Commercial Hubs

Encourage the development of commercial spaces that combine multiple attractions under one roof

Maximizes use of space

Increases profitability

Ex.

In Oakland, MD they are planning a multi-million dollar expansion to their existing community center

41 of 55

41

Possibilities: Pop-Up Recreational Services

Create traveling or seasonal recreation setups that can rotate through neighborhoods

Spreads entertainment access without needing full-time infrastructure

Mobile arcade, pop-up trampoline park, video game trucks, laser tag, etc.

Ex.

Games2U is a mobile entertainment company that could be funded locally or franchised in Kent County

42 of 55

42

Small Group Discussions

Reflect:

Do the commercial access needs described sound about right to you? What would you add?
What do you think about the commercial access possibilities presented for Chestertown?

43 of 55

43

5.

Recreation

44 of 55

44

Several people discussed wanting a…

Bowling alley…reminiscing on the old times
Game space for kids
Roller/skating rink

What We Heard:

Common Requests

45 of 55

45

"There used to be arcades. Even if kids were playing video games, at least they were outside with people—a gathering place. Kids need the opportunity to walk outside their house."
"When I was younger, the carnival used to come to the Acme Plaza. There was a big fight, and it never returned after that. "
“We need more places for young people to hang out…it can get a little boring in the country. We have parks, playgrounds. Maybe something musical, I do music production myself. Arts and crafts.”
"I wish we had a skate park. My brother and I rollerblade & skateboard, but we always have to go to another town. More family friendly activities here in Chestertown."

What We Heard:

46 of 55

46

A regularly occurring kickball game at Garnet Elementary
Retrofit a bowling alley (this could even start as a mobile outdoor bowling lane)
More indoor and outdoor enrichment opportunities

Possibilities

47 of 55

47

Small Group Discussions

Reflect:

Do the recreation needs described sound about right to you? What would you add?
What do you think about the recreation possibilities presented for Chestertown?

48 of 55

48

THANK YOU!

49 of 55

49

Top 5 Themes

2.

Transportation

1.

Housing

3.

4.

Commercial Access

5.

Recreation

Family and Community Culture

50 of 55

50

Small Group Discussions

Reflect:

Do these 5 topics capture what matters most to you?
What feels like it’s missing?

51 of 55

51

52 of 55

52

VOTE!

Which 3 topics should we focus on over the next three months?

a. Housing	g. Transportation
b. Family and Community Culture	h. Commercial Access
c. Recreation	i. Health Access
d. Food Access	j. Political Engagement
e. Economic Stability	k. Schools and Education
f. Environmental Safety

53 of 55

53

Materials for Voting:

11 posters or chart paper sheets (1 per topic), clearly labeled A–K or with full names
Sticky dots — 5 per person
Distribute 5 dots to each participant.�
Each person will “vote with your values" — you will:�

Place 3 dots on their #1 topic (blue)�
Place 2 dots on their #2 topic (red)�
Place 1 dot on their #3 topic (green)

Give 3–5 minutes for people to place their votes.�

54 of 55

54

TALLYING THE VOTES - OUR 3 PRIORITIES

#1 -

#2 -

#3 -

55 of 55

55

Next Steps

We'll dive deep into the top 3 topics!
Create a Children's Agenda that will guide how Kent County Local Management Board spends their money and energy
Improve Chestertown for kids and families!
Next session: [Wednesday, May 21st at 5:30pm]