Welcome to the Maryland Resource Parent Association!
Providing Support to Maryland's Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents Get In TouchGet Involved
New Executive Director, Stefany Lang, has been chosen to lead the Maryland Resource Parents Association.
Stefany Lang has been selected as the new executive director of the Maryland Resource Parents Association (MRPA), which represents foster and kinship parents throughout the state.
Lang and her husband, Chris, are active foster parents in Calvert County, where they have fostered 11 children since they became foster parents in 2013. Lang is also president of the Calvert County Foster Parent Association and a co-facilitator of the county’s training for new foster parents (called PRIDE). There, she has instituted monthly support group meetings and foster family events, as well as serving as a resource for the questions and concerns for local foster parents.
As MRPA executive director, Lang hopes to bring that same support to foster and kinship parents statewide. “I have a true passion for being a foster parent,” says Lang, whose family consists of three biological children, two adopted children, and two children who are part of their family through guardianship, ranging in age from 7 to 31. “I want to try and make the foster care experience as smooth and painless as possible for the families and the children in Maryland.”
Lang and her husband became foster parents when the youngest of her biological daughters was a junior in high school. While they originally thought they would foster infants or toddlers, their first placement was a sibling set of three, ages 8, 9, and 12, one of whom they later adopted.
One of Lang’s favorite quotes is “It takes a village to raise a child.” “I believe we, as foster parents, are that village,” she says. “Being there for the children and their families is what makes foster parenting so fulfilling.”
Before becoming a foster parent, Lang was social media manager for the company Recorded Books. She also works as an adoptive parent mentor and runs a support group for Adoptions Together, a local adoption organization. In addition, Lang and her husband are active volunteers for the Special Olympics of Calvert County, where they have coached 5 sports and raised over $40,000.
Lang will be only the second executive director at MRPA, taking over the role from Arnie Eby, who turned what had been a volunteer role into a paid position in 2019 to reflect the larger role MRPA has played. Eby is now executive director of the National Foster Parent Association.
MPRA represents public foster and kinship parents throughout Maryland. Its executive director and board members work with the state government and other groups to represent the views of foster and kinship parents. The organization supports county-based foster parent groups, as well as individual foster parents through support and training.
What is the MRPA?
Enjoy this replay of our April, 2024 session outlining the mission and purpose of the Maryland Resource Parent Association.
Subscribe or Update Your Information
MD Students Attending In-School Instruction No longer Eligible for Pandemic EBT Benefits
Click here to read more!
The MRPA does not have formal membership.
There are no fees of any kind to enjoy our resources. They are freely available to all Resource Parents! You are welcome to attend our Zoom sessions and to utilize anything you find on our website. We’re glad you found us and look forward to assisting in your journey as a Resource Parent.
So…. how do you get involved? There are many options!
Blog Notifications
Sign up to receive our Blog posts and notifications by email HERE.
First Tuesday
Attend a First Tuesday session. Schedules are right below!
Download Library
Review docs we’ve made available to our audience to find resources you need.
Still Have Questions?
Contact us by email, we’d be happy to assist.
Keeping Resource Parents In the Know
MRPA Community News
OUR FOSTER DAD SAVED US
https://americanspcc.org/testimonial/our-foster-dad-saved-us/
Council considering $7.7M to help child care providers operate in public schools
We'd like to share this recent Bethesda Magazine article regarding child care accommodations in public schools. Council considering $7.7M to help child care providers operate in public schools Another $864K would go to mental health for schools Child care providers...
P-EBT Update Regarding September ’20 Benefits
The benefits for September were issued to those who received P-EBT over the summer. Please note that students who received benefits over the summer but have since graduated did not receive a September issuance. The funds are available on the P-EBT cards between 9/21...
Maryland Secures Federal Funding to Extend Pandemic-EBT Benefits During September to Support Eligible Families
Over $47.5 Million in Additional P-EBT Benefits Will Serve Over 440,000 Maryland Children in September BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) in conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) received approval to continue...
NBC Article: COVID-19 Pandemic Impacting Foster Children, Parents (Featuring MRPA Executive Director Arnie Eby)
MRPA's Executive Director Arnie Eby was featured in an NBC piece released yesterday, 9/21, on the impact of COVID-19 on Foster children and parents. Excerpt: Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., are easing some restrictions and rules placed on foster parents and...
2020 ATTACh Virtual Conference: Interconnections (Get Your 50% Coupon Just for MRPA!)
Are you thinking of attending the 2020 ATTACh Conference? If so, read on! (And if you hadn't considered it yet, definitely keep reading!). Be sure to submit a request on our Home page to receive your 50% off coupon for the registration fee. The first 20 respondents...
New Training Opportunity from NFPA Training Institute: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from a Trauma Lens
TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT Available Online Parenting a child with a disorder on the fetal alcohol spectrum can present many challenges for foster and adoptive families. It is vital for these families and the professionals who support them to understand the reasons behind...
Registration NOW Open – Fall Virtual Resource Parent Conference | October 24, 2020
The Child Welfare Academy, Maryland Resource Parent Association, Maryland Department of Human Services, and your local Departments of Social Services invite you to our first VIRTUAL Resource Parent Fall Conference! Registration is FREE. Registration Deadline | October...
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.
