The following is a comprehensive list of all of the links found around our MRPA website.
Abuse and Neglect
Adoption
Advocacy
Articles and Media
- Baltimore Sun – Sam Macer on Foster Care
- Baltimore’s Child: Sam Macer on the Foster Parent PTA
- Champions of Change: PTA Leaders
- CNN Article: Sam Macer on Parent Involvement
- Huffington Post: Sam Macer, Providing the Support that All Our Children Need and Deserve
- Living Education eMagazine Discuss The Role of Parental Engagement In The Academic Success of Children
- National Association of Elementary School Principals: Sam Macer on Support for Foster Children
- Ways that Foster Care Children are Vulnerable
- What Are The Misconceptions of Foster Care Children?
- What is Foster Care?
- What Ways Can We Celebrate Their Success?
- Why Family Engagement is Important
- Dr. John Degarmo – Author of Many Fostering Books
- Foster Parenting Toolbox – by EMK Press
- Hope for Healing
- Lifestory Lifebooks
- On the Edge of Unthinkable – by Paula Kyle
- Rescuing Julia Twice: A Mother's Tale of Russian Adoption and Overcoming Reactive Attachment Disorder – by Tina Traster
- Sunny – by Theresa MacInnis Schimmel
- The Attachment Therapy Companion
Child Welfare Academy
Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. We feature the latest on topics from prevention to permanency, including child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption.
Child Welfare Policy Directives
COMAR
COVID19
- A message from the Child Welfare Academy on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and upcoming trainings.
- A Parent’s Gude: Navigating Special Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 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
- FAQs and Guidance for Child Care Providers during COVID-19
- http://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/Special-Ed/TAB/SpecialEducatorsGuideCOVID-19.pdf
- 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
Current Issues/Statistics
- 50 State Chartbook on Foster Care
- Child Abuse Statistics and Resources
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. We feature the latest on topics from prevention to permanency, including child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption. - Child Welfare League of America
- Children’s Defense Fund
The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. - Kids Count
- National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- National Foster Care Coalition
- Out of the Foster Care Box
- Pew Trusts.Org – "Children are Waiting"
- US House of Representatives
- US Senate
Education
- Children’s Bureau Express
- Early Childhood Education
- Education.com
- Educational Resources Search Engine
- Foster Youth College Resources
- Human Services Edu
- Internet Special Education Resources Directory
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Parenting Press
- Parenting Special Needs Children
- Spoon Foundation
- Unified IDEA Partnership
- Unprepared for College
Khan Academy Online
Education Target for Ready by 21
Ethnic Resources
- Family Navigator
A Family Navigator is a parent who has cared for a child with mental health, substance use and/or other behavioral health challenges and has been trained to help other families. Navigators know about the services in Maryland and in their community, and how to apply for them. Visit their page to learn more.
Foster Care Information
- Be a Foster Parent
- Foster Care Alumni of America
- Foster Care Support Network
- Fostering Perspectives
- FosterParentNet
- How To Be a Foster Parent
- Paths For Families
Paths For Families provides specialized services to support youth who are living in foster care, kinship care, or with adoptive/guardianship families. Adoption is a lifelong journey and support from the team at Paths For Families doesn’t end after finalization. Building a strong support network of people and resource enables you and your family to have the necessary support. In partnership with the Social Services Administration, we offer free post-adoption counseling, support groups, case management, and more for qualified families in Maryland.
Foster Care Programs
- Angels’ Arms
- Bay Area Homes for Kids
- Capstone Foster Care
- Casey Family Programs
Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused entirely on foster care and improving the child welfare system. Founded in 1966, we work to provide and improve ─ and ultimately prevent the need for ─ foster care in the United States. As champions for change, we are committed to our 2020 Strategy for America’s Children – a goal to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and improve the lives of those who remain in care. - Casey Family Services
- Catholic Charities West Michigan
- Concept 7
- DARE Family Services
- Devereux Foundation
- Families for Kids
- FamiliesFirst
- Foster Care Support Foundation
- Foster Family-Based Treatment Association
- International Foster Care Organization
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- KidsPeace Foster Care and Family Services
- Little City’s Foster Care and Adoption Program
- Lutheran Social Services of the South
- National Foster Care Coalition
- New Alternatives
- Our Children’s Homestead
- Pathways Youth and Family Services
- Professional Association of Treatment Homes (PATH)
- Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth
- Stanford Youth Services
- The Bair Foundation
- The Village Network
Foundations Supporting Foster Care
Handbook for Youth
- A Handbook for Youth – Out of Home Placement – Foster Care
The Maryland Resource Parent Association will support The Maryland Department of Human Resources, the local DSSs and all foster youth care providers in their effort to serve teens.
IXL.Com Online
Kinship Care
- American Bar Association – Creating a Kin-First Culture
- Annie E. Casey Foundation – Kinship Care
- Baltimore City Kin Care Center (A Best Practice Model)
- Caregiver Training: Coping with the Unique Challenges of Kinship Care (Dr. Joseph Crumbley)
- Child Trends – Kinship Care Supports the Academic Performance of Children Research Brief Child WelfareSep 27 2023
- Child welfare – Information Gateway – Kinship Care
- Code of Maryland Regulations (Last Updated: April 6, 2021) Sec. 07.02.25.10. Provisions for Kinship Care
- CWLA Bookstore – Kinship Resources
- CWLA Bookstore – Reflections on Kinship Care: Learnings from the Past, Implications for the Future
- CWLA Bookstore – Reflections on Kinship Care: Learnings from the Past, Implications for the Future (PDF)
- Engaging Kinship Caregivers With Joseph Crumbley (Annie E. Casey Foundation)
- Foster Care Institute Dr. John DeGarmo
- Generations United
- Generations United
- Generations United – United Kinship Unity Action Agenda
- Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network
- Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network – Who Are Grandfamilies and Kinship Families?
- Maryland 2 1 1 Kinship Navigation: How to Find Support and Overcome Challenges
- Maryland Department of Human Services – Licensure Processes and Information
- Maryland General Assembly – Statutes Text – Kinship Care
- Maryland Matters – Article – 2024
- Maryland Modernizes Kinship Law to Find Families for More Youth in Foster Care – Article – 2024
- Maryland State Department of Education – Maryland Informal Kinship Care – Fact Sheet
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- The Peoples Law Library Of Maryland – Kinship Care
- The Peoples Law Library Of Maryland – School Enrollment and Informal Kinship Care Arrangements
Legal Resources
Magazines
MD Connect My Life
- MD Connect My Life Online
The Maryland Connect MYLIFE program is a part of the Youth Matter movement that continues to occur across the state of Maryland. MYLIFE is an acronym which stands for Maryland Youth Launching Initiatives For Empowerment (MYLIFE).
MD DHR Online
MD DHR Policies
- Adoption
Maryland DHR Homepage for Adoption and Foster Care. Contains links to useful information for Adoption, Foster Care, Providers and Other Services. - Child Welfare Policies
Maryland DHR Child Welfare Policies on the Web. - Foster Parent Policies
To help support the efforts of our resource parents, the Department of Human Resources and the Social Services Administration has established this website where foster care policies and other important information may be easily found in one place. New and updated information will be added regularly, so be sure to check in often.
MD Public Schools Online
Mental Health
- Everyday Health’s School Mental Health Guide
Many school-aged kids in the US have anxiety, depression, or both. With mental health issues among students on the rise, Everyday Health created a guide that explains how this impacts academics and wellbeing at school. It is also packed with tips to help families have a successful school year. Some healthy habits that can help ease households into a school routine are: Practice adult-child communication Make a transition plan with your child Building a support system and positive relationships
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Natl Foster/Adoptive Parent Orgs
- Casey Family Programs
Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused entirely on foster care and improving the child welfare system. Founded in 1966, we work to provide and improve ─ and ultimately prevent the need for ─ foster care in the United States. As champions for change, we are committed to our 2020 Strategy for America’s Children – a goal to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and improve the lives of those who remain in care. - CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation’s leading non-profit organization serving individuals with ADHD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others. CHADD is a membership organization, produces the bi-monthly Attention magazine (for members), and sponsors an annual conference. The National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC) is the CDC-funded national clearinghouse for evidence-based information about ADHD. Contact information for all local chapters is available online through the CHADD Chapter Locator. CHADD was founded in 1987 in response to the frustration and sense of isolation experienced by parents and their children with ADHD. - Child Welfare SPARC
The Child Welfare SPARC will strengthen the connections among state advocates, and we’ll begin by listening. We’ll learn about their priorities, the challenges they face, and the successes they want to share. That listening process will help SPARC to offer a comprehensive menu of supports, when and how state advocates need them. - Children’s Defense Fund
The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. - Fostering Connections
What is FosteringConnections.org? A gathering place of information, training and tools related to furthering the implementation of the Fostering Connections law. Specifically, we aim to connect implementers with the latest information and the best experts and advocates working on these issues. - iFoster
iFoster is here to help raise our most vulnerable children. Our programs provide life changing resources for at-risk children and youth to put them on the path to becoming independent successful adults. - National Foster Parents Association
The National Foster Parent Association is a champion for the thousands of families that open their heart and their home to the over 400,000 children in out-of-home placement in the US. Membership in the National Foster Parent Association is open to anyone who believes in the importance of family-based care for foster children and that every child deserves a permanent family.
Natl PTA
NFPA Online
Other Information
- A Compassionate Heart
- Adoption in Child Time, Inc.-Foster Parent Journal
- Child & Family WebGuide at Tufts University
- Children’s Guild
- Emotional Wellness Matters
- National Child Care Association
- National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement
- National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
- National Family Week
- Suitcases for Kids
- What to Expect
Parent Guides
Parent Toolkit
- Parent Tool Kit
This toolkit will help you navigate your child’s journey from pre-kindergarten through high school. It is designed to help you track and support your child’s progress.
Products/Internet
Ready by 21 Manual
Recruitment/Retention
- AdoptUSKids
- National Foster Parents Association
The National Foster Parent Association is a champion for the thousands of families that open their heart and their home to the over 400,000 children in out-of-home placement in the US. Membership in the National Foster Parent Association is open to anyone who believes in the importance of family-based care for foster children and that every child deserves a permanent family.
Scholarships
- Blind Veterans Association Scholarships
Beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, BVA will award seven total scholarships, six under the Kathern F. Gruber program umbrella for $2,000 each and one $1,000 scholarship through the newly established Thomas H. Miller program. - Schwallie Family Scholarship Program
In 2008, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) introduced the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program to support qualified individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome residing in the United States pursuing post-secondary education. OAR will present awards of $3,000 each across three categories: 1) Four-year undergraduate college or university; 2) Two-year undergraduate college, and; 3) Trade, technical or vocational school. These will be one-time awards for any recipient.
Scholarships for Youth
- Discover Scholarship
- Horatio Alger Association
- Jim Casey Youth Opportunities
- National Foster Parents Association
The National Foster Parent Association is a champion for the thousands of families that open their heart and their home to the over 400,000 children in out-of-home placement in the US. Membership in the National Foster Parent Association is open to anyone who believes in the importance of family-based care for foster children and that every child deserves a permanent family. - Orphan Foundation of America
Students in Foster Care
Substance Abuse Issues
Support and Services for Families
- A Compassionate Heart
- A Home Within
- Adoption in Child Time, Inc.-Foster Parent Journal
- Foster the Family
- FosterParentNet
- It’s Our Little Secret
- North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
NACAC promotes and supports permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. and Canada who have been in care—especially those in foster care and those with special needs. - One Simple Wish
- Parent Technical Assistance Center Network
- The Forgotten Initiative
Support for Foster/Adoptive Parents
- Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)
C.A.S.E. is a private, non-profit adoptive family support center. Its programs focus on helping children from a variety of foster care and adoptive backgrounds to receive understanding and support which will enable them to grow into successful, productive adults. - Foster the Family
- M&L Special Needs Planning
M&L Special Needs Planning’s mission is to educate families in an emphatic, methodical, non-threatening way. We do this by providing workshops and creating financial security with comprehensive special needs life plans and government benefit planning for the individual with special needs, siblings and parents in a fee based structure.
Teen Resources
Training
- ATTACh
- Beyond Consequences
- Cenpaticou – Foster Parent TrainingChild Trauma Academy
- Child Welfare Institute
- Child Welfare League of America
- Critters and Company
- Foster Parents and Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Webinar
- Foster Parents.com
- FosterParentCollege.com
- National Foster Parents Association
The National Foster Parent Association is a champion for the thousands of families that open their heart and their home to the over 400,000 children in out-of-home placement in the US. Membership in the National Foster Parent Association is open to anyone who believes in the importance of family-based care for foster children and that every child deserves a permanent family. - Red Cross
- Social Learning
- Training Hours for Families that watch videos
U.S. Dept of Human Resources
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. We feature the latest on topics from prevention to permanency, including child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption.