EASTON, MD – MAY 17, 2011. Two local Talbot County tax firms, H & R Block in Easton and Sump and Associates, recently assisted Talbot County foster parents and foster children with the preparation of their individual income tax returns.
H & R Block of Easton offered to do the federal and state tax returns of foster care youth at no cost and Easton’s Sump and Associates offered a 25 percent discount for the preparation of individual federal and state tax returns for foster parents.
Eric Griffioen, district manager of H & R Block in Easton, comments, “Centra Dashiell in our office did a presentation on taxes for the Talbot County Department of Social Services. We were made aware of the need for tax services for foster care youth and wanted to get more involved.”
Darian Sump of Sump and Associates, adds, “Through my involvement with CASA, I became aware of the commitment that foster parents make in our community, as well as their needs. This is a way I could show our support and appreciation for all that they do.”
Pictured above left to right front row, Katie Russ, coordinator of Option Respite, Talbot County Department of Social Services; Jackie Veeney, assistant director of Adult/Family Services & Income Support, Talbot County Department of Social Services; and Darian Sump of Sump and Associates. Pictured back row, left to right, are Eric Griffioen, District Manager of H & R Block in Easton; Tyler Pepper of Sump and Associates; and Becky Skinner, Foster Care Worker, Talbot County Department of Social Services.
The Talbot County Department of Social Services is a field office of the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR), the state’s social service provider. DHR collaborates with 24 local jurisdictions to: provide foster care, adoption, and protective services to children; collect and distribute child support payments; provide protective services, case- management, supportive housing, in-home aide services, and respite care to vulnerable adults; and provide temporary cash, food stamps, and medical assistance to families. It also funds programs for homeless persons, refugees, and migrant workers. Last year, DHR served over one million people in need. In terms of its annual budget, DHR is Maryland’s fifth largest state agency.
