In a December 15 column published on MarylandReporter.com, Political Science Professor Roy Meyers shared his thoughts on why there are no easy budget fixes in Maryland. He responded to an earlier column written by Barry Rascovar which outlined potential solutions to solving state budget deficits.

Meyers addressed state revenue estimates, adjusting the start time of the fiscal year, and sweeping under-projected revenues into the state’s surplus, all of which were discussed in Rascovar’s column.

“It’s important to remember that just as with budgets, for the budget process there is no such thing as an ‘easy fix,'” Meyers wrote in his column.

To read the full article titled “No easy budget fixes; Rascovar’s proposals to change the fiscal year are way off base,” click here.

Name: Mike Alksnis

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Maryland Disability Law Center | Title of Your Position: Nursing Facilities Project Intern

Major(s)/Minor(s): Social Work

Expected Graduation Year: December 2014

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

At MDLC, I have enjoyed working with clients and their families to reduce cases of unnecessary institutionalization in nursing facilities, and to ensure the safety, health, independence, and full community integration of clients seeking to make transitions into their own homes. It has been a pleasure to work with the Sunshine Folk, a group of advocates and former nursing facility residents, in pursuit of the same goal. I have also closely followed the development and implementation of Maryland’s Community First Choice (CFC) program, which strives to make these transitions possible for all eligible Maryland residents. I have had the privilege of helping to draft correspondence to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene explaining MDLC’s viewpoint on numerous CFC matters, and have participated in a similar project in cooperation with a State Senator. I have also worked closely with self-advocating CFC participants to help maximize the impact of their voice on the development of the program’s regulations. The staff at MDLC have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and to create a quality educational experience for me throughout my internship. I could not have asked for a better place to learn as an aspiring social worker!

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

I was connected to my internship at MDLC by UMBC's undergraduate social work program for my field placement, which began in September 2013. Due to MDLC's satisfaction with my performance on the job throughout the 2013-2014 academic year, I was offered a paid 10-week internship over the following summer. I gladly accepted the offer and continued my work in the nursing facilities project through mid-July.

Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?

Faculty Connections, UMBC BSW Program

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

The most enjoyable part of my experience at MDLC was the privilege of being allowed to work on projects which interested me. I expressed an interest in advocacy, community organizing, policy, and social justice during my interview in the summer of 2013. MDLC responded by graciously constructing an internship experience that was catered to fostering professional growth in these areas. As a result, I have become more aware of my potential to succeed in specific roles as a future social worker.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

If it were not for MDLC, I would not have become so attuned to the ways in which people with disabilities continue to be oppressed by social and political forces which diminish their dignity, independence, community integration, right to self-determination, and even their health and safety. Due to this internship experience, I recognize there is a far-reaching need for the advancement of the civil rights and human rights of people with disabilities in Maryland and across the US and beyond.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would offer to another student the same advice that was given to me by faculty in UMBC's undergraduate social work program -- if there is a particular type of person that you are disinclined to want to work with, work with them. In other words, get an internship working with a population that you are not interested in working with. There is a very high probability that your perceptions about the group will be challenged and forever changed. There is even a good chance you will discover that you actually enjoy working with that population. Until we have exposed ourselves to the experience, we are relying on preconceptions and biases, which tend to be false. We cannot know how we will function in a particular type of career setting until we give it a try, and there is no better time to conduct such an experiment with yourself than during an internship as a college student, before you have decided on a career path.

Congratulations on graduating! #UMBCgrad

The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC new Children’s Theatre Program is seeking an Assistant Stage Manager for its production of The Wizard of Oz presented at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts. The ASM will report to the Stage Manager and assist with all of their production responsibilities.

Stage Manage
The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC new Children’s Theatre Program is seeking a Stage Manager for its production of The Wizard of Oz presented at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts. The SM will work closely with the director to provide organizational and practical support for the production. The ideal candidate will have a background in theatre production and at least 2 years stage management experience.

The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC new Children’s Theatre Program is seeking a Production Assistant for its production of The Wizard of Oz presented at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts. The PA will work closely with the Producer and assist with the development and execution of the production’s needs. The ideal candidate will have a background in theatre production and ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere. Must be willing to work with children.

The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC new Children’s Theatre Program is looking for responsible adults (College students welcome), who works well with children to supervise young performers during the rehearsals and performances of The Wizard of Oz presented at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts.

The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC new Children’s Theatre Program is seeking a Set and Props Designer for its production of The Wizard of Oz presented at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts.

Duties include but not limited to:
• Collaborating with the director on concepts and design
• Attending the first rehearsal and presenting a model that can be referenced throughout the rehearsal process
• Attending production meetings
• Building functional and safe set pieces and props appropriate for this production
• Communicating and training the production team in the best use and movement of each piece.
• Create and/or shop for props
• Attending load in

Run: Jan pre-production meetings. First rehearsal Feb 22nd. Performances May 14th and 17th
Interested: Email your resume and samples of your work. Interviews will be scheduled immediately
Pay: There is a stipend
Director: Award winning director and Broadway veteran CJay Philip
Contact: Melissa Berman mberman@jcc.org