The Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants, funded by the Howard County Government, are designed to promote youth activities and engagement within Howard County. These grants support nonprofit and community organizations in developing free or low-cost programs that address the social-emotional learning, mental health, wellness, and core needs of young people, particularly those from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. The initiative, launched by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in 2023, focuses on providing youth with opportunities to connect with peers, mentors, and their community outside of school hours, including weekends and summer. Programs must occur at least monthly over a 12-month period and should aim to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 by addressing missed socialization milestones. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and require recipients to track and report program outcomes.