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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.
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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!
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Keeping Resource Parents In the Know
MRPA Community News
Maryland P-EBT Benefits for September
Important! The MRPA does not manage the P-EBT program, but works hard to make information about the program available to MD Resource Parents. We do not have the necessary information to assist with specific questions about benefits, and want to be sure you have no...
Updated Maryland DHS Policy: CW-SSA #20-12 Child Care Services for Foster Children
The Maryland DHS has updated policy CW-SSA #20-12 Child Care Services for Foster Children. Download your copy HERE. This link will automatically download the policy in PDF form. To visit the page where this policy is located, click HERE. We encourage Maryland Public...
Last Call for Responses! Survey: Childcare and COVID-19 for Maryland Foster Parents
If you have not yet responded, please do so by Wednesday evening, 8/26! The Maryland Resource Parents Association has heard that many foster parents have issues with childcare, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is an attempt to collect...
Let’s Talk College/Trade! Seminar with the MRPA and MD DHS
Seminar Announcement Please join us for a live interactive webinar on the MD Education & Training Voucher (ETV) and the MD Tuition Waiver Programs for foster children. The Webinar will also provide general education information. Both sessions will cover the same...
Survey: Childcare and COVID-19 for Maryland Foster Parents
The Maryland Resource Parents Association has heard that many foster parents have issues with childcare, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is an attempt to collect data and stories to help with our advocacy efforts with counties and the...
A Foster-to-Adoption Success Story – The Fitzsimmons Family
The MRPA is delighted to share the personal Foster-to-Adoption story of Katie Fitzsimmons, President of the Anne Arundel County Foster Parent Association. . (Shared from the most recent newsletter of the AACFPA) This month we adopted our Foster Son. He was our first...
IRS Notice: Returning an Economic Impact Payment
Have you received an Economic Impact Payment in Error? Foster Parents who have foster children moving in and out of their homes may be in the position of having received a stimulus payment for a child no longer in their care. The following guidelines can help us make...
Resource Parent In-Person Visitation Guidance and Protocols
The Maryland DHS has shared the following documents as a resource for foster families who are about to resume In-Person visitations. Click the title to view or download the document. CW Services COVID-19 Stage 2 Guidance Memo DHS/SSA Protocol and Procedures for...
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.
