Since 1992, The Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families has brought together public and private service providers to address the needs of Montgomery County, Maryland's children and their families. Designated as a Local Management Board by the State of Maryland, the Montgomery County Collaboration Council's purpose is to be a catalyst so that agencies and other groups can collaborate to achieve positive results in the community. The Collaboration Council Board is comprised of parents and other advocates for children — individuals, as well as representatives of organizations, public and private providers of services, members of the business and faith communities, government leaders and elected officials. Together, Collaboration Council board members provide leadership in the development of an innovative and integrated system of educational, health, and human services to effectively address the needs of families in Montgomery County. The 21 member Board is appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The Montgomery County Collaboration Council is committed to the integration of the values and principles of cultural and linguistic competence into all aspects of our policy-making, management, strategic planning, funding, capacity-building and service delivery. Our goal is to foster effective partnerships and programs that recognize and respond to the diversity in culture, ethnicity and language of our children, youth and families. We will hold ourselves publicly accountable for continuous progress toward fulfilling this policy.