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
MD DHS Resource Parent Survey
(Responses are Now Closed)
Active Licensed Foster Parents Only: Please Complete the Survey by April 30th!
Survey Goals
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. A summary of the survey results will be posted on the MRPA website by May 30, 2020.
Responses will help the DHS/SSA & MRPA workgroup develop strategies to better support resource parents, statewide and locally. This survey is anonymous, and responses will be confidential. The 20-item survey should only take about 6 minutes.
MDHS Foster Parents of the Year: Amy and Michael Bagley, Charles County
As National Resource Parents Day approaches this weekend, we applaud Amy and Michael Bagley for their nomination as the Charles County 2020 Resource Parent(s) of the Year. The Bagely family provides integral support to youth in care and for that we thank them.
COVID-19 News That Impacts Resource Families
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...
DHS Letter Re: COVID19 and Foster Families
Dear Foster Parents and Foster Parent Providers: Over the past few weeks, our state...
CWA Resource Parent ONLINE TRAININGS ADDED
The following upcoming trainings have been moved ONLINE, In response to COVID19 and concerns for...
As Coronavirus Shutdowns Grow, Resource Families Left with Little Guidance (ChronicleOfSocialChange.org Article)
Quote from the Article: As coronavirus continues to impact Americans on all fronts – from toilet...
COVID-19: A Message for Child Welfare Leaders
Please see the message below from Dr. Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau Dear...
A message from the Child Welfare Academy on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and upcoming trainings.
Update Message on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) The University of Maryland has provided directives...
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.”
