Caroline Better Together

Caroline Better Together is a community initiative that looks to make an impact to help people and families in the county. The initiative began in 2021, quarterbacked by the Caroline Human Service Council and guided by Kat Stork- Blaher, principal, Shore Strategies.
"What began as a conversation five years ago about how we could work differently—more collaboratively, more strategically, and more intentionally—has evolved into a countywide movement focused on improving outcomes for children, families, and communities," Stork-Blaher said during her remarks at the Caroline Better Together 2026 annual convening.
Through a structure of a community leadership overseeing work through five Action Teams, Caroline Better Together has brought together 58 profit, non-profit, and government agencies and 469 community members to work at improving the well-being of county residents.
The work of Caroline Better Together spans across early childhood education, youth development and education, health and well-being, economic mobility and workforce development, and family and workforce resources.
Specifically, in FY2026, Caroline Better Together is working toward increasing student attendance at Caroline County Public Schools by 15% by 2030.
As is typical with much of the community work, positive outcomes require good work and dedication from members of the community. This is evident in the work of Federalsburg Better Together, "the first municipal collective impact initiative to grow out of Caroline Better Together - one of 27 ENOUGH communities across Maryland," according to Stork-Blaher's presentation.
Likewise, Caroline Better Together, through the Child Fatality Prevention Action Team, kicked off a campaign for childhood water safety.
The continued success of Caroline Better Together, measured as Stork-Blaher stated, "....by whether conditions are improving for the people who call Caroline County home," relies on community members to participate in the various activities, planning, convening, and messaging. As people move on to other roles (see story below on Human Services Council Executive Director Susan Runnels' retirement), the collective impact of the work will depend on dedication to continue to make Caroline Better Together.