Seedco’s work in Maryland has been evolving since the establishment of Baltimore operations in 2006, with growth into the Upper Eastern Shore in 2013 and Southern Maryland in 2017. Our first program was enhancing public benefits access and that has grown to include health care access and workforce development. Seedco’s Maryland operations builds on the organizational model of strong local partnerships integrated with robust direct services.
Seedco is an official partner of Maryland Health Connection, providing enrollment assistance with health and dental insurance. Our team of certified Navigators has the expertise to guide you as you look at plan options, including determining eligibility for tax credits to reduce monthly costs.
Many working families, unemployed, seniors, and others struggle to put food on the table. Since 2011, Seedco has helped thousands of Baltimore area residents access vital food benefits. Seedco’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach prevents hunger, helps seniors and families make healthier food choices, and counters misinformation and stigma associated with receiving SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps. The barriers are numerous: knowledge, language, and education limitations; pervasive myths; and difficulty accessing in-person assistance. We overcome these barriers by working at community-based sites, providing culturally competent services, and conducting wide outreach and information sharing. In addition, Seedco uses its EarnBenefitsOnline tool to screen individuals for a range of other benefits for which they may qualify.
In collaboration with CASH Campaign of Maryland, Bon Secours Community Works, and Centro de Ayuda, Seedco disseminates information, provides SNAP eligibility screenings, and directly assists people with completing the SNAP application. This program is generously supported by the State of Maryland Department of Human Services.
Starting in 2019, Seedco’s Connecting Maryland Kids to Coverage provides outreach, education, and enrollment activities to connect families in need to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program targets thirteen counties on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland, predominately rural areas. Seedco is partnering with Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center and Chesapeake Multicultural Center to educate the public, reach eligible families, and assist them with applying and renewing. This program is generously funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Seedco’s West Baltimore Career Pathways Collaborative engages local employers, service providers, and correctional agencies in establishing career pathways for individuals coming out of the criminal justice system. By helping individuals find a job and establish a path for advancement, Seedco improves their chances of successfully integrating into their communities and staying out of prison.
Since 2015, our program implements training and placement around locally in-demand sectors, including manufacturing and construction, and integrates:
A key partner in outreach and service delivery is Bon Secours Community Works. Other local partners in the West Baltimore CPC include the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board, the Mayor’s Office of Human Services – ReEntry Division, and Job Opportunities Task Force. The US Department of Labor funds this program.
For more than thirty years, Seedco has advanced economic opportunity in communities across the country. Our success is due to the generous support and collaboration of many partners. We welcome your partnership to help workers get established on a career path, improve access to workforce resources in underserved communities, connect employers with high-potential workers, and improve health, economic, and social wellbeing. There are many ways to support Seedco’s programs and partnerships. We encourage you to explore Seedco’s work and communities, share information with others, and connect directly with us.
