Welcome to the Maryland Resource Parent Association!
Welcome to the Maryland Resource Parent Association!
We assist Foster, Kinship, Adoptive and Guardianship parents with resources that can make your role easier.
News and Info Related to the MD DHS
Resource Parent Training Website
Survey Goals – Background, Original Invitation
The Maryland Department of Human Services, Social Services Administration (DHS/SSA) is striving to increase authentic partnerships between staff, resource parents, and biological parents to improve safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for children. DHS/SSA is partnering with the Maryland Resource Parent Association (MRPA) to support this effort in local jurisdictions.
With assistance from the Capacity Building Center for States (CBCS), DHS/SSA & MRPA developed a survey in SurveyMonkey to gather information from Resource Parents about their thoughts and experiences with state and local resource parent associations. The survey also asks what resources and supports Resource Parents need and find most helpful.
DHS/SSA & MRPA asks Resource Parents what their perception is of how well DHS/SSA is accomplishing its goals for resource parents in MD.
Responses will help the DHS/SSA & MRPA workgroup develop strategies to better support resource parents, statewide and locally. This survey was anonymous, and responses will be held as confidential.
We are excited to announce that the new Resource Parent Training website and catalog are now available!
Workshops from July ’20 onward are continually being added, so check back regularly to see which are open for registration.
Create Your Account
If you are a resource parent and you have not yet created an account in the Ideas@theInstitute LMS (Learning Management system):
- Please use the link below to create your new profile. Upon clicking the link, participants will be asked to complete the sign-up form associated with the link which designates that you are Approved Status for Resource Parent training access.
- Please create profiles for each individual if you are part of a couple. Only one account can be created per email address.
- Click here to create your new profile: https://theinstitute.myabsorb.com?KeyName=ResourceParents
Already Have An Account?
Instructions for resource parents who ALREADY created a new account in Ideas@theInstitute
- If you already have an account set-up in Ideas@theInstitute, please contact the help desk by email or chat to have your Resource Parent status verified and added to your profile. After this process has been completed, you will then have access to Resource Parent trainings.
- Email the Help Desk at theinstitutehelp@ssw.umaryland.edu and put Resource Parent Approved Status in the subject line and make sure your name and work email are included in the body of the email.
General Instructions
Once you are logged into the website, you will first be asked to complete an initial “course” which is simply an introduction to the program.
Once that is completed, you will see this screen below. The catalog will be available by clicking the link on the right hand side under RESOURCES:
Click to see a larger image.
If you need assistance you can email the Help Desk at theinstitutehelp@ssw.umaryland.edu or you can contact the Help Desk by LIVE CHAT. The Help Desk is available Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm ET.
COVID-19 News That Impacts Resource Families
IRS Notice: Returning an Economic Impact Payment
Have you received an Economic Impact Payment in Error? Foster Parents who have foster children...
Resource Parent In-Person Visitation Guidance and Protocols
The Maryland DHS has shared the following documents as a resource for foster families who are...
News for Resource Parents: (AP News) Trump signs order to strengthen US child welfare system
NEW YORK (AP) — Tackling a lower-profile issue for the White House, President Donald Trump signed...
U of MD School of Social Work: Fall 2020 Resource Parent Conference Planning Survey (Your Response Is Requested!)
Resource Parent conferences are hosted semi annually through a partnership between the Child...
MD Foster Care Parent Survey – Your Participation as a Resource Parent is Needed!
We would like to invite you to respond to a survey that is being conducted as a joint effort...
Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
MRPA would like to share this information from the Maryland DHS about this food program for foster...
Baltimore Sun: Will there be enough child care centers when the coronavirus pandemic is over? (Commentary)
Excerpt: In normal times, child care is the backbone of our nation’s economy; without it, millions...
MD Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) Video Appointments
Even though we are all social distancing, there is still assistance...
NBC News Article Featuring MRPA Executive Director Arnold Eby: Foster kids who can’t visit parents are struggling under coronavirus isolation, advocates say
"It's difficult to help them understand what's going on," a foster father said. "Sometimes even we...
COVID19 Social Security Scam Warning
Beware ⚠️: Social Security phone and email scams will likely increase during the...
Our very own Executive Director Arnie Eby was featured as part of an NPR discussion of the effects of COVD-19 on foster children and resource parents. Have a listen!
To see the full transcript, visit https://www.marketplace.org/…/…/covid-19-foster-care-system/
What To DO With Those Kids!?
MRPA Executive Director Arnold Eby joins Irene Clements in a discussion with Rhonda Sciortino on the topic, ‘What To DO With Those Kids!’ during the COVID19 self isolation.
Links to Important Updates & Articles
- A message from the Child Welfare Academy on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and upcoming trainings.
- Affordable Internet Options for Students
- As Coronavirus Shutdowns Grow, Resource Families Left with Little Guidance
- Children’s Bureau Information Memo – Family Visitation Time
- Children’s Bureau’s Guidance Regarding Case Worker Visits
- DHS COVID-19 Preparedness
- Fact Sheet for Grandfamilies and Multigenerational Families
- Managing Stress-Anxiety During COVID-19
- Maryland Department of Human Services Continues to Provide All Programs and Services to Marylanders While Closing Buildings to the Public in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Parent COVID-19 Resource Guide
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019- Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
- Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Talking with Youth about COVID-19
- The ‘New Normal’: Youth Law Center’s COVID-19 Resource Series
- The Power of Connection: How Resource Families Can Support Adolescents Through COVID-19 Crisis
- The United States Center for Disease Control
- TIPS FOR YOUNG PARENTS: COPING DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
- Update on the June NFPA 50th Annual Education Conference
The MRPA Mission
Our Mission is to provide support service to all Resource Families in the state of Maryland. Membership in the Association shall be open to all Resource Parents.
MRPA supports foster, adoptive, kinship and guardianship parents all across the state of Maryland.
Whether you are a current resource parent, a prospective resource parent, or a child welfare professional, MRPA is there to support you.
We realize it takes all of us working together to give children in need a stable, loving family.
In the Know: Resource Parent News
MRPA Community News
Upcoming Events
Follow us on Facebook to see upcoming Events!
Prepping for the 2020 Census: Count All Kids
“The Count All Kids Campaign is a public outreach effort to working with advocates, state and local policy makers, complete count committees, service providers, and others to persuade families with young children to fill out the census questionnaire and make sure they include all their children.”
Resources for Parents
Resources Shared From the National Foster Parent Association
Click image to view a larger version.
Graphic Resource From the National Foster Parent Association and the FASD Network
“Individuals with FASD may be over or under-sensitive to certain sensory inputs, meaning that they may be so focused on what they hear, see, or feel that they can’t focus on other things. Sensory processing impairments can affect an individual’s learning, physical functioning, and behavioural development. Here are just some of the sensory disabilities individuals with FASD may experience.”
