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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
MD DHS Annual Notice of Resources Flyer
The Maryland DHS has made available their 'Annual Notice of Resources' flyer. Download your copy from the MRPA website at: https://mrpa.org/download/6108/
First Tuesday Videos Now Available
NFPA Annual Tax Guide for Members – Consider Joining Today!
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First Tuesday March 1st, ’22: US Federal Adoption Tax Credit with Josh Kroll of NACAC
Participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2021, but will also cover applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2018. Presenter Josh Kroll will explain what parents...
Child Welfare Academy Spring Virtual Resource Parent Conference – Registration is Open!
Learn more about this upcoming virtual conference and register today! Conference Date: April 2, 2022, from 8:45am to 3:30pm Conference Info: https://theinstitute.umaryland.edu/our-work/ruth-young-center-for-maryland/child-welfare-academy/conference/ Registration Link:...
First Tuesday: February 8, 2022 Maryland’s Human Services Staffing Shortage
MD DHS Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine for Youth in Out-of-Home Placement (2/1/22)
COVID-19 infections can be a minor hindrance or lead to severe disease or even death. Children, like adults, should receive a COVID-19 vaccine to help prevent serious illness from COVID-19, protect other people around you, particularly people at increased risk for...
January’s First Tuesday – Moved to January 11th (Next Tuesday)
REGISTER HERE You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Jan 11, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this...
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.
